70 
-NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 
far as characters derived from the fructification are concerned, no generic difference exists between Hedera 
and Paratropia, I have referred all the species of the latter to the former genus, but have retained the latter 
as avery natural and characteristic subgenus, on 
account of their digitate leaves and thrysoid inflorescence ; 
these, in the absence of structural difference of the reproductive organs, not being held of sufficient weight to 
entitle them to generic value. 
Hepera (P.) opovata (R. W.) arboreous, gla- 
brous, leaves digitate; leaflets about 5, petioled, cuni- 
ate, very obtuse or sometimes ob us 
umerous, solitary on 
each peduncle : flowers pedicelled : petals, stamens and 
stigmas eight, rarely six, ovary 8, rarely 6-celled. 
h : 
previous year’s wood,) branches racemose, flow 
: : 
cuspidate : thyrses panicled, usually lateral, (from the 
ers 
dicelled, furnished at the base o 
small somewhat subulate bractea: petals and stamens 
styles 5 short; stigmas distinct obtuse: fruit 5- 
celled. 
A large tree of rather rare occurrence. A few fine 
trees 70 or 80 feet high, and large in proportion are 
growing in the woods behind Kelso land in QOotaca- 
mund. I have met with it in several other places, but 
ve i 
tore, and fr r 
the right hand side of the road, going down about 100 
yards below the 2-mile-stone, furnished the specimen The leaflets vary a goo 
gured, where it flowers during April and May. Th 
octonary fructification at once distinguishes this from 
cuspidate point, under 4 inches 
all the other species here, independently of the remark- g, and oad, in ttkers they are 6or 7 inches 
able foliage, long and about 2 broad; much waved. Flowers June 
racemosa (R. W.) arboreous, and July. The mature fruit scarcely attains the size 
HepERA ; 
leaves digitate : leaflets about 7, form oblong, lanceo- ofa moderate sized pea. 
tak 5 : 
te acuminated, undulate on the margin, to elliptic 
XXXIV,.—LORANTHACEE—Mistletoe Tribe. 
This is a most curious family of (with one exception,) tree parasites. The species are 
very numerous, but the genera very few. ‘They are always found growing on other plants 
commonly on branches of trees, but not unfrequently on each other, and I have even seen 
examples of a new plant parasitic on its own parent. DeCandolle remarks that they grow 
on nearly all kinds of trees except milky ones. This remark is according to my own ob- 
servations generally true, but not without striking exceptions, as I haye seen them quite 
abundant on Fig trees, and one Loranth. Luphorbee R.W. on our milk-hedge (Euphorbia 
Antiquorum.) The family generally most abounds within the tropies, or in the warm regions 
of the temperate zone, only two species being natives of Europe; but on these hills, witha 
temperate climate, they are very numerous, Viscums and Loranthi being found every where, 
scarcely a tree to be met with being constantly free from their visitation, and among them 
are some very beautiful species. ‘This last remark applies exclusively to Loranthus, the 
species of Viscum, though some are very curious, have no beauty to recommend them to our 
notice; but are not on that account the less deserving of observation, owing to the contrast 
which they present in habit and appearance, to the tree that supports them, and from which 
they extract their nourishment. ; 
The species growing on milky plants show clearl y that they have the power of elimena- 
tion, and can select such portion of the juices only, as are suitable for their nourishment, their 
own juices being watery, while those of the supporting plant are milky, an interesting fact in 
the history of these vegetables, 
The floral structure of this family furnishes an example of the difficulties which occa- 
sionally present themselves, as if, to set at nought classification of the vegetable kingdom, 
