eee or 
NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 55 
GARDNERIA. 
Calyx small, 4-5-lobed, persistent, corolla rotate, 4-5-parted, throat naked, lobes ovate, leathery, val- 
vate in estivation, the margins thickened at the apex, stamens 4-5, alternate with the lobes, inserted 
on the throat; filaments short, oval-shaped ; anthers erect, free, or somewhat coherent, free at the base 
and apex. Ovary free, ovoid, 2-celled; with one ovule in each; style filiform, shorter than the anthers. 
Berry globose, crowned by the persistent base of the style, 2-celled, with the seed attached to the middle 
of the membranaceous partition. Seed thin, orbicular, concave towards the axis, convex on the back; 
albumen horny, the shape of the seed. Embryo erect, cylindrical, radicle long, cotyledons lanceolate. 
Twining shrubs, branchlets 4-sided, afterwards round. Leaves opposite, entire, exstipulate ; but the dilated 
base of the petiols grasping the branch. Cymes axillary, few-flowered; flowers pale-greenish coloured. 
Berry red or purplish, about the size of a pea. 
This genus was established by Dr. Wallich for the reception of two Bengal plants. One a native 
of Nepaul, the other of Silhet, to which the accompanying has since been added from these Hills. It is 
frequent in the clumps of Jungle (Scholahs) about Pycarrah where it climbs to the tops of the highest 
trees, and then covers them with a rich canopy, forming most natural and shady arbours. 
As a flower, it has little beauty to recommend it to notice, but is interesting as being, so far as Iam 
aware, the only plant of the order, frequenting the higher range of these mountains. The foliage is ex- 
ceedingly deep green, the leaves rather thick or somewhat fleshy, very smooth and quite entire. I do not 
know of any active property residing in this plant, but judging from the family to which it belongs, it 
seems not improbable, that it is not quite innocent of such. 
1313. Garpyeria Watiicau (R. W. in Wall. pl. It isan extensive climber, ascending to the tops of 
as. rar. 3 tab. 281), glabrous, voluble: leaves oval the highest trees, and then covering them with its 
acuminate at both ends, acute: cymes axillary, pe- numerous branches and very dark green foliage. 
duncled, much shorter than the leaves :.flowers tet- Flowers of a dull yellowish colour. 
randrous: berry globose. 
ee on the Neilgherries, flowering March 
pril. 
GENTIANACE. 
It was remarked of the preceding family that it was so peculiarly tropical in its 
predilections, that a few species only were found in temperate regions. The reverse is the 
case here, by far the greater portion of this large and beautiful family being composed of 
extra tropical plants, not a few of which reach nearly to the line of perpetual congelation, 
while a few only are found within the tropics. This will account for their frequency 
on the Neilgherries, where they form a marked feature of the flora, both as regards the 
number and beauty of the species. For the elucidation of this order, I have selected 
five species referable to 4 genera, all conspicuous for their beauty, and which, it appears to 
me, might all be with advantage introduced into the flower garden where, under proper 
culture, their native beauties would be heightened. : 
The family is divided into two tribes or, more properly, sub-orders, the plants of each 
being so unlike, both in habits and appearance, that they might without violence consti- 
tute distinct orders. To the first, Gentianec, all the Hill species belong: to the second, 
Menyanthee, a series of aquatic plants, many of them floating, are referred. But though 
thus distinct in external features they accord in points of structure esteemed of greater 
importance in the limitation of affinities. 
The Hill ones are generally easily recognized by 
branches, opposite, entire, smooth leaves, and terminal corymbs, 
decidedly blue flowers. The little Gentian is the only exception, 
They belong to the corolliflorous class, which has monopetalous infer 
their erect form, 4-sided stems and 
of generally more or less 
it being procumbent. 
jor flowers, with the 
