72 PKNTANDRIA DIGYNIA. CresStt. 



rious. stipules none. Flowers yellow, most numerous, 

 peduncled, the whole upper half of the plant forminji an 

 elegant, oblong, leafy decussated panicle. Bractes two 

 at each division of the panicle, and like the leaves, but 

 smaller. Calyx four-cleft ; divisions linear, acute, perma- 

 nent. Corol; border expanding, four-parted ; divisions 

 as long as those of the calyx and also permanent. Sta- 

 mina four. Anthers cloven at the base. Style single, as 

 long as the germ. Stigma large, two-lobed. Capsules 

 rather shorter than the permanent calyx, and corol, one- 

 celled, two-valved, opening a little at the apex. Seeds 

 numerous, affixed to two receptacles adhering to the sides 

 of the valvelets. 



Note. When I refer this plant to the genus Gentiana 

 I am guided by the capsule chiefly, otherwise I might 

 probably have placed it with the Exacums. 



An infusion, or decoction of the whole plant, pulled up 

 by the root, about the time the flowers begin to decay and 

 the capsules are well formed, is much used by the na- 

 tives of Bengal, and the adjoining provinces, as a tonic. 

 It appears to me to be a pure bitter, although it gives 

 signs of astringency with a chalybeate. Its febrifuge vir- 

 tues are in high estimation amongst both natives and Eu- 

 ropeans, and I think very deservedly. Our medical gentle- 

 men prescribe it in the same manner, and with the same 

 intention, particularly when Peruvian Bark is difficult to 

 be obtained. 



CRESS A. Schreh. gen. w. 439. 



Calyx five-leaved. Corol campanulate, with stamens 

 inserted into the bottom of the tube. Capsule superior, 

 two- celled, wrth from one to four seeds in each. 

 C. indica. Willd. 1. 1320. 



Annual, erect, ramous, hoary. Leaves alternate. Flow- 

 ers terminal, sessile. Apices of the segments of the corol 

 bearded. Capsule bearded, four-seeded. 



