MILIUSA AND SACCOPETALUM. 165 



real than apparent, being due to a partial cohesion of their edges, 

 which in certain other Anonaceae takes place, so to speak, in an in- 

 verted order, the cohesion being at the tipes, so as to form a canopy 

 over the androgynceoium, sornswhat as in Vitis. 



More disputable matter is involved in his next argument, as 

 follows : — 



" Now the three supposed divisions of the calyx in M. De 

 Candolle's figure alternate with the three cohering divisions of the 

 corolla and consequently represent the outer petals, the calyx 

 being thus altogether omitted. In the description this deficiency 

 seems to be supplied by the three supposed internal appendages 

 opposite the base of the cohering petals, of which, however no 

 traces are observable in the figure . . . .", and he adds, " This 

 supposition" (i.e. that the outer row of petals was taken for a calyx) 

 "may at least serve to explain the description ; it is less easy to 

 account for the figure, but it may be presumed that the artist, 

 aware that the plant was described as having only three division to 

 its calyx, was satisfied with " having found that number of sepaline 

 parts, and it is possible that the true sepals (easily detached at 

 maturity as in Saccopetalum and Hyalostemma) may have fallen off 

 during the process of manipulation ". 



It is obviously just as likely that the " sepals " were naturally 

 caduous ; but the case of the fimbriate processes rests on a distinct 

 footing, because, although somewhat disguised in the drawing by a 

 dotted line (b), which indicates the point of insertion of the corolla, 

 they are quite clearly shewn in the figure. These organs are perhaps 

 correlated with the special structure of the androgynoecium, and the 

 saccate, probably nectariferous, development of the " petals ". Traces 

 of like tufts seem to the writer to be present in other species of 

 Miliusa as well, and it may be that the degree of their development 

 is variable even in the same species, as is seen to be the case with the 

 so-called petal-claw or gland in certain species of Greioia from the 

 same parts of S. India. 



Further material and particularly observations in the field may 

 necessitate emendation, but in the meantime local botanists will 

 presumably keep up Miliusa Leschenaultii (type of the genus), 

 M. affinis, M. Montana, and M. nilagirica as distinct, though closely 

 allied species. If facts should be adduced in the future to shew that 

 M. Leschenaultii and M. nilagirica, or M. affinis and M. montana 

 should be looked upon as a single unit, it is comparatively easy to 

 carry out the necessary technical corrections. 



To return to the history of the genus, — Bennett, having as he 

 believed disposed of Miliusa Leschenaultii, went on to establish his 



1743—32 



