292 BURitA, ITS PEOPLE AXD PRODUCTIOXS. 



AcEYiiAMUES, Linnans. 



Perianth usually glabrous, of 5 slightly unequal segments, hardened after flowering, 

 ■with 1 subulate, almost spinous bracteole on each side. Stamens 5, united in a cup 

 at tlie base, with as many small scales between them. Antliers 2-celled. Ovule 

 solitary. Stylo simple, with a capitate stigma. Emhnjo coiled round the allmmen. 

 Leaves opposite. Fhiccrs green, or rarely scarious, reflexed, in terminal spikes or 

 rarely heads. 



A. ASPEEA, L. (M.). Burma. The Nicobars (K.). 



Apang {fide Balfour). 



C'YATnijLA, Loureiro. 



Habit, inflorescence and flowers of Aehijrantlies, except that on each pedicel, 

 besides 1 or sometimes 2 perfect perianths, there is on each side a cluster of stitf 

 hooked bristles, sUghtly dilated at the base, consisting of bracts and abortive perianth 

 segments. 



C. PEosTRATA, Blumc (K.). Great Nicobar. 



Anthers l-eelJed. Ovary many-ovuhd. 



DKf:r.ixi:iA, Brown. 



D. iNDicA, Spreng. (M.). 



Cklosia, Linneens. 



Perianth of 5 nearly equal segments. Stamens 5, united at the base. Anthem 



2-celled. Ovary with several ovules. Style simple, with a capitate, or minutely 



2-lobed stigma. Capside opening transversely. Emhryo coiled round the albumen. 

 Leaves alternate. Flowers white or coloured in terminal spikes. Herbs. 



C. AEGEXTEA, L. (M.). 



"Wliite Cockscomb. 



C. CKISTATA, L. (M.). 



Kyet-yet. Kyet-mouk. Crested Cockscomb. 



A species of Cclosia, allied to C. eerniia, Eoxb., is said by Jlason to be 

 cultivated by the Karons, and to bo the most elegant member of its tribe. It bears 

 a long pendulous drooping panicle, and is probably a variety of lloxburgh's species. 



Order rOLYGONEJ5. 



Flowers dioecious or diclinous. Perianth herbaceous or petaloid. Stamens peri- 

 gynous. Ovary 1 -celled and 1-ovuled. Ovule erect, orthotropous. Fruit an achenc. 

 Alhumen farinaceous. Leaves alternate, with an intrapetiolar sti])ule. This Order 

 embraces a few useful plants, as the Rhubarb' {Rheum rhaponticun and undulatuni), 

 and Buckwheat {Fayopyrum eseulentam), so valuable as a bread stuff on the pooi'er 

 soils of Northern Europe. Polyyonnm tinctorium is cultivated in China for its blue 

 dye, which is extracted from the leaves like indigo. The leaves of many species 

 of the Order are edible, and rich in Oxalic, Citric, aud Malic acids. 



rOLYGONIE^'E. 



Involucre none. Stipules ochrcate. 



Polygonum, Linnicus. 



Perianth of 5, rarely fewer, segments, all equal, or the 2 or 3 outer ones enlarged. 

 Stamens 8, or sometimes fewer in the same species. Styles 3 or 2, sometimes united 



' ' Kliulnirir is derivod frnm Kha barhaviim, or Soythiiin, as distiuguishcd Ijy the aucients from 

 Sha ronlu-uiH, or Thraciau Rhubarb. 



