810 DiOEGiA HEXANDRiA. Meuispermum, 



hoary underneath, sometimes acuminate, sometimes obtuse; 

 generally from three to nine inches long, and from two to six 

 broad. In young plants frequently peltate. Petioles short- 

 er than the leaves, round, downy. Female umbellels, or 

 heads, from f he stout, naked, ligneous branches, several from 

 the same bud, on thick, round, downy peduncles, of about an 

 inch in length. Floivers numerous, sub sessile, villous, of an ob- 

 scure green. Bractes of the umbellets obscure; those of the 

 flowers three or four, reniform, villous, pressing close on the 

 calyx. Calyx six-leaved ; the three exterior ones oval, small, 

 very downy on the outside, permanent ; the three interior ones 

 considerably longer. Petals, six small, short, sterile filaments, 

 three embracing the base of thegerms, very downy. Styles slen- 

 der, recurved. Berries, from one to three come to maturity, 

 nearly round, villous, of the size of a large filbert, each with a 

 single seed, as represented by that excellent and accurate Bo- 

 tanist Gfertner. Receptacle of the fruit; while in blossom the 

 flowers are nearly sessile, on a globular receptacle, of the 

 flowers I will call it, but, like the germs in Uvaria, as the fruit 

 advances in size, the very short pedicel of the original flower 

 lengthens into a pretty long, stout, cylindric, villous pedicel, 

 ending in a round-headed receptacle, on which sit from one 

 to three berries surrounded with the small permanent calyx 

 and corol. 



The above description, was taken from specimens sent to 

 me from Ceylon by General Macdowall, who at the same time 

 gave me the following account of the plant. 



' 'I have lately been at some trouble to discover whether, or 

 not the true Colombo root is a native of our soil, and shall pro- 

 bably remain in doubt, until I am furnished with your opini- 

 on. I now forward a specimen of the root, and some of the 

 leaves, and flowers, which grow from the stem of the branch. 

 It is a very strong creeper, and the natives make use of it to 

 tie their cattle, and for other purposes of husbandry, where 

 ropes are necessary. 



" Should this prove the celebrated Colombo root, 1 believe 



