8 NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 
example the C. pratinses of English meadows, which, in spring, appear in such numbers as to whiten the 
fields where they grow, so as to give the appearance of bleaching greens ; whence, it is supposed, it derived 
its English name of “ Lady’s Smock,” The one here figured does not possess that recommendation,as it usually 
occurs but thinly scattered in woods and may generally be found in flower during wet weatlier at all seasons. 
Canpamine Barsonica (Persoon).—Leaves trifoli- sometimes 3-lobed or divided into 3 leaflets simila 
olate ; leaflets hairy on both sides, particularly on the to the others : siliqua ereet.— WV. and A. Prod, p. 20. 
nerves beneath, petioled, ovate acuminated, unequal at 
the base, irregularly aud sharply toothed, terminal one 
VI—FLACOURTIANEA 
This isa small family of trees and shrubs, but on the limitsof which considerable 
difference of opinion exists among Botanists, a subject on which much might be said were this 
the place for such disquisitions. Suffice it therefore to say that there are two nearly related 
families (Bizacee and Flacourtianee) which many Botanists consider quite distinct, but 
which others combine to form one large one. The preponderance of opinion is on the side of 
those who keep them distinct ; but they, on the other hand, differ among themselves as to the 
genera that should be respectively referred to each, a fact which seems to indicate a degree 
of affinity quite consistent with their union and redivision into suborders, the course which 
Professor Endlicher has adopted in his Genera Plantarum. Mr. Bennett (Plante Javanice 
Rariores) has in a long and very elaborate article, under Phoboros rhinanthera, undertaken to 
throw more light on the subject and to reconcile the differences existing among Botanical 
writers on these two families: but after a copious adduction of evidence on all sides, has 
forgot to sum up, and, consequently, has left the question involved in about as great dark- 
ness as when he commenced. I learn however from a careful perusal of that article—Ist, 
That Mr. Brown coincides with Dr. Blume in considering the genus Hydnocarpus as form- 
ing the type of a new order, to which the latter Botanist has given the name Pangiacee ; 
derived from Pangium an old generic name of Rumphius.—2nd, That he agrees in opinion 
with those Botanists who think the two families ought to be combined, a view in which I 
can scarcely coincide, on his own showing, as he states the ovary of Flacourtia has several 
cells, with central ovules, while those of all the other genera have one-celled ovaries and 
parietal ovules, as in the accompanying figure. For this reason I conceive the order 
Flacourtianee should be retained, even though limited to the ‘single genus Flacourtia. But 
supposing this difficulty got over by finding the partitions more or less inconstant, still I» 
cannot help thinking the association of numerous plants having dry dehiscing capsules with 
others, equally numerous, having indehiscent baccate fruit, “one that ought when possible 
to be avoided and that all those genera agreeing with Biza in having capsular fruit ought to 
be brought together to form the order Bizaree while those with baccate fruit are ranged under 
the old Flacourtianee. Should this last course be adopted then the present genus can scarcely 
be retained, as at present placed, at the end of Flacourtianee from which it essentially differs 
in its fruit, being a many seeded nut, in place of a fleshy berry, but is left here until the 
question is decided one way or the other, 
Little can be said regarding the uses or properties of Flacourtianee. The fruit of 
one or two species of Flacourtia are about the size of a cherry, and very palatable. In Ceylon 
