Lellsomla. pentandria monogynia. 487 



creeping 1 to a very great extent over the sandy shores of the 

 sea coasts, where the plant is chiefly found. Leaves long- 

 petioled, deeply two-lobed, smooth, with two large coloured 

 glands at the base. Peduncles axillary, solitary, length of 

 the leaves, generally one or two-flowered. Flowers large, 

 red-purple. Calyx ; leaflets oblong, acute, transversely ru- 

 gose on the outside toward the base. Stigma of two round 

 lobes. Seeds densely clothed with a dark brown, plush-like 

 pubescence. 



Obs. This plant is very useful where it naturally grows, 

 helping- to bind the loose sands, and in time render it suffici- 

 ently stable to bear grass. Goats, horses, and rabbits eat it. 



LETTSOMIA. R. 



Calyx five-leaved. Corol from campanulate to infundibu- 

 liform. Germ two-celled. Stigma two-lobed. Berry dry 

 or succulent, two-celled ; cells one or two-seeded. Embryo 

 erect, curved ; cotyledons corrugated. 



In honour of John Coakley Lettsom, M. D. F. S. A. au- 

 thor of numerous valuable works, which more than prove him 

 fully entitled to this mark of respect. 



The genus is composed of very powerful, extensive, twin- 

 ing, perennial, lactescent plants; with simple leaves and 

 axillary inflorescence. 



SECT. I. Corols campanulate. 



] . L. splendens. R. 



Perennial, twining. Leaves cordate-oblong, parallel, vein- 

 ed, sericeous underneath. Corymbs axillary. Berry high- 

 ly coloured and embraced by the permanent crimson calyx. 



A most beautiful plant, far exceeding every other species 

 I have yet met with ; a native of Chittagong, where it blos- 

 soms and ripens its seeds at various times of the year. 



lie 4 



