42 PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Aschpias. 



smooth, deeply cut into five, narrow, acute divisions. 

 Corol rotate ; division ovate, oblong, obtuse. 



15. A. parasitica. R. 



Parasitic, perennial, creeping. Leaves ovate-lanceo- 

 late, fleshy, drooping. Umbels simple, globular ; nectary 

 concave, stellate, protruding five ovate rays at the top. 



This charming species is a native of the Sunderbund, or 

 forest in theaestuaryof the Ganges, where it grows on trees, 

 creeping up, and over their trunks and branches to an 

 extent of some fathoms; emitting roots from every part, 

 which take fast hold of the parent tree. The first plant 

 brought into the Botanic garden at Calcutta died when 

 planted in the ground ; but when tied to trees and their 

 roots fixed in any cavity or fork where some humidity 

 and nourishment was to be found, they grew well, though 

 slowly, and blossomed during the hot season, and about 

 the beginning olthe rains in June. 1 have, however, reared 

 them in common earth since. 



Leaves opposite, petioled, retrofracted, ovate-lanceo- 

 late, acute, of a firm fleshy texture, and smooth on 

 both sides ; veins scarcely conspicuous above, and invi- 

 sible underneath; from two to four inches long, and 

 about one broad. Petioles short, round, ash-coloured, in 

 fact, more like a part of a branch than a petiole. Pedun- 

 cles solitary, interfoliaceous, round, smooth, about an inch 

 and a half long, each supporting a most elegant, droop- 

 ing, globular umbel, of the most beautiful, exquisitely 

 fragrant, rather small, pearl-coloured flowers. Calyx; 

 leaflets linear, scarcely half the length of the corol. Corol 

 wheel-shaped, with the divisions cordate. Nectary con- 

 cave, stellate, protruding five ovate, thick fleshy horns, or 

 rays at the the top. Stamens as in the genus. The pericarp 

 has not yet been found. 



