NEILGHERRY PLANTS. Al 
its sparingly fleshy fruit, and fragile papery not bony putamen, distinctions which I can scarcely consider of 
generic value, especially in a genus where we find considerable variation in the texture of the putamen, as well 
as in the fleshyness of the fruit. If the fruit of the cultivated Olive, is to be taken as the type in that particu- 
lar, then, it is my impression, nearly all the Indian species may be removed. 
As the genus stands in De Candolle’s Prodromus, it includes 29 species, but 7 cf these are imperfect- 
ly known, and may not belong to it, or if they do, may have been previously described under other names. 
In its geographical range, it is widely distributed— Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America ; all 
claim, species. The one here figured was formerly described by Roxburgh under the name of Phillyrea. 
Endlicher reduced that genus, referring the species to Olea : DeCandolle has, however, taken a different 
view and not only retains both, but constitutes of Roxburgh’s Indian Phillyrea, a new genus under the name of 
Visiania, which I cannot but view as a needless multiplication of genera in an order where such multiplication 
does not seem called for, either by the member of its species or by the complex differences of form and habit 
they present. 
The Olive tree has long been looked upon with something approaching to veneration, as the emblem 
of peace and the terrestrial type of ‘durability, the tree itself being one of those that attains the greatest age, 
and its timber being almost indestructible by the ordinary processes of decay. Every body knows the valua- 
ble Olive oil and most people are more or less intimately acquainted with the Olive itself as it comes to us 
preserved in a solution of Salt or Vinegar. I have never heard of any of the Indian species being employed 
for any purpose except as timber and the wood of some of them is said to be exceedingly close grained 
and durable. 
1249. OLEA RopuSTA. (Wall. Phéllyrea robusta, According to Roxburgh, this tree attains in Silhet 
Roxb. Visiania robusta D. C.) leaves elliptic, oblong, a large size, and furnishes the natives with a very dur- 
i able timber. In Southern India, this, so far as I have 
nicles terminal, large, diffuse ; rachis and pedicels pu- seen is never the case, the thickest stems, and these 
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ous, wood very hard, leaves 3-4 inches long, 1 to J3 eg S e only 
broad, flowers somewhat fragrant, fruit size ofa bean. Olea in the fruit. He remarks of it— Genus inter 
ny Dihihi 3: * > 3e 2 a 
mpc SF 289. S ? aT r 
not unfrequent, usually small sized, tree in alpine et albumine carnoso, posteriori putamine chartacco 
jungles in Southern India, the specimens figured were affine.” From this it appears, it only differs from Olea 
gathered on the Eastern slopes of the Neilgherries, in having a paper-like fragile putamen, while Olea 
where it is to be met with in flower or fruit at a asa hard bony one, a distinction to which I cannot 
ge attach generic value. 
LIGUSTRUM—PRIVET-TREE. 
Calyx shortly tubular, 4-toothed deciduous. Corolla funnel shaped, tube longer than the calyx, limb 
4-parted. Stamens two inserted within the tube of the corolla incluse. Ovary 2, with 2 ovules, pendulous 
from the apex of the septum, in each. Style very short. Stigma bifid obtuse. Berry er ——s cells 
2 seeded or by abortion, 1 seeded. Seeds inverse, ovate or angled, embryo straight, in the axis of a subent- 
Colyled bfoli vato-lanceolate. Radical terete superior.—Trees or shrubs with 
tilagenous albumen. Coly] : ; hi 
opposite short petioled, ovate oblong, or lanceolate entire leaves : flowers, terminal panicles or thyrses white: 
flesh of the fruit sparing, oily ; hence showing an affinity with the Olive. 
eing yet known and some of these so very like, that 
ground of geographical distribution than on 
This is not an extensive genus, 9 species, only b 
it seems doubtful whether they are not kept distinct rather on the : ; 
botanical characters. As a whole it seems very nearly allied to Olea, almost the only appreciable saps being 
the greater length of the tube of the Corolla in Ligustrum. The flesh of the drupes in both is oily, and the 
putamen more or less bony. | 
on account of their compact form'when not ix 
The Privets are handsome, very ornamental shrubs, 
a rich cluster of white flowers. The one here 
M 
flower, and owing, when in flower, to every branch ending in 
