"6 NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 
ployed) though I confess I cannot see upon what grounds, as I cannot help thinking that to keep up both is to 
retain two most artificial, almost indistinguishable genera; where one most perfect and compact is already form- 
ed by nature herself for our acceptance. He, I am aware, upholds the doctrine that excessive analysis is pre- 
ferable to excessive synthesis ; of the truth of which there cannot be a doubt so long as that analysis is based on 
extensive and careful observation and accurate knowledge of the value of our generic characters ; but not other- 
wise. Loosely constructed verbose characters very analytical in appearance, but quite the reverse when them- 
selyes thoroughly analysed, are the bane of natural science : we are too much given to the subdivision of really 
natural genera on the principle above stated, that excessive analysis is better than excessive synthesis, a princi- 
ple which, however good in the abstract, can yet be carried too far. Under this conviction it appears to me, 
DeCandolle has done well to reunite them; as combined, they form a most natural genus, but separated, two 
very artificial genera. 
As it now stands, the genus Lonicera includes nearly 70 species drawn from China, Japan, Southern and 
Northern India, Europe and America: and is divided by D.C. into two sections or subgenera—viz., Capri- 
folium and Xylosteon, which last is again subdivided into 4 subdivisions; both our Hill species belong to the 
latter suborder. The plants of which it is composed are only useful for ornamental purposes : forming arbours 
covering the trunks of a venerable tree, or the face of a wall which it is supposed will look better when richly 
clothed with luxuriant vegetation thanas a naked surface. The one here given, L. ligustrina possess- 
ing none of the trailing habit which predominates in the genus, is used asa wabi sks for privit, in the 
formation of garden fences for which itis well adapted; andis named in accordance, ligustrum, being t 
generic name of the privit. 
1.) stem some- gibbous on one side at the base; 
. Lonicera (X) LIGUBTRINA, (Wal 
b 
shortly petioled, ovate-la ‘eigueacs eg obtuse at the 
hi 
base, quite entire, s inte, prinkled on the margin 
and w wind bene ath with spread- 
. hai ; peduncles a “little longer than petioles, 
the 
clightly ‘sean at the apex, 2-flowered, axillary and 
racteas, a subulate one at the bac 
berries net both 
covered by the common bractea.—W. and A, Prod. 
very common plant about ssc 
and like has Ash is much used as a 
dens for w 
compac 
in proportion to the qua ve 
being considered an orhath ental flowering 
so o far as general form is concerned, were shrubberies 
more in vogue on the hills, it would well merit a place 
i the margin Be eather” teeth oblong, short: in them, 
cro paberlou, infundibuliform; tube rather short, 
Trree 
wv VO, 
XXXVI. 
DITNRIAnNyD ma NIATOIAAA CMD Om T 
’ Ad 
In giving names to families, the rule isto select one of the most characteristic genera 
ofthe group, and alter the termination of the name by an affix, cee, being the one usually em- 
ployed in Botany. Both the above names are constructed on this principle, Rubiacee being 
derived from Rubia, and Cinchonacee from Cinchona ; to this extent therefore, they are. both 
unobjectionable. But the genus Rubia belongs to a small section of the order, and that pre- 
senting peculiarities which, in the opinion of Dr. Lindley, justify its separation from the rest 
of the family and elevation, to the rank of a very: distant and well defined natural order. In 
accordance with this view he gives a new name to theold:-order, and seleeting the-well known 
Cinchona (Peruvian Bark,) as the type has, in his natural system, called it Cinchonacee, appro- 
priating Stellate or Galiacee, (from Galium) to the new one by which arrangement the con- 
fusion apt to originate in appropriating a new meaning to old names, is avoided. 
The family even after this division, is still a large and important one, contributing 
greatly to the comforts %, mankind through the powerful medicines (Bark and Ipecacuana,) 
