NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 67 
species seek alpine stations as their favourite places of growth, some even ascending as 
high as 7000 or 8000 feet on the Himalayas in lat. 30, north, and what seems still more 
remarkable, we find some species equally luxuriating on the plains, and at an elevation of 
nearly 6000 feet on the Neilgherries, and others spreading from Cape Comorin up to the 
bauks of the Satledge. 
As regards uses, few of them are of much note, the Creyat, Andrographis paniculata, 
of India being one of the most valuable on account of its intense bitterness. But as orna- 
mental plants, many of them are deserving of note and probably many would be more 
sought after, if they flowered at shorter intervals. The Thunbergias and cognate genera, 
being climbers with handsome flowers, are often met with in cultivation, and so are a few 
others, but certainly too few and too seldom, considering their ornamental capabilities. 
MEYENIA. 
Calyx small, 5-lobed, enclosed between two large bracteoles, Corolla funnel-shaped, throat large, tube 
short, closed within with a ring of hairs; limb nearly equal. Stamens 4, didynamous, anthers bearded at 
the apex, 2-celled; cells of the longer pair unequal, upper ones diverging, tomentose on the margin; of the 
lower ones parallel, about equal, both muticous at the base. Stigma membranaceous, dilated, bilabiately 
two-lobed. Capsule tumid at the base, above tapering to a point, 2-celled, 4-seeded, partition persistent, 
adhering to the axis of the woody valves. Seed globose, attached to spongy cup-shaped processes. Pro- 
cumbent or twining under shrubs. Leaves opposite, entire: flowers axillary, peduncled; limb of the 
corolla deep blue, tube brownish yellow. 
This genus consists of a single species, which abounds on the eastern slopes of the Neilgherries, below 
Coonoor and Kotergherry. The plant when in perfection is one of great beauty, and well deserving of ex- 
tensive culture. It is found to succeed well in the Calcutta Botanical garden, and I dare say might also 
thrive in Madras. 
The figure of the upper pair of anthers, those in the right hand corner of the accompanying plate, is 
not good, it is incorrect as not properly showing the lower cell, which I now find extends downwards for 
some distance along the filament, and the short spur represented on the back view, I cannot discover in 
the dried specimen, though I fancy it is visible in the recent one, otherwise it would not be there. This 
is one of those cases, perhaps of too frequent occurrence, which proves that ne confidence can be reposed 
in Native observation, however practised the observer, but I am occasionally obliged to repose it from 
the want of sufficient time to check every point of each plate before sending them to the press. The only 
other station { have found for this plant is the top of a high hill near Coimbatore, where I found it in 
great beauty covered with a profusion of flowers in May. 
The essential characters by which this and Heraceniris are separated from Thunbergia seem rather 
slight; they are thus given 
Thunbergia. Fruit capsular. Corolla regular, all the anthers with a single arista at the base. 
Meyenia. Fruit capsular. Corolla subregular. Aunthers muticous at the base; cells of the longer an- 
thers oblique. 
acentris. Fruit Capsular. Corolla regular. Upper anthers I-calcarate at the base, the lower ones 
bicalcarate, ; 
ese characters seem scarcely of generic value, but they are greatly strengthened by the habit and 
general aspect of the plants themselves, when compared with each other. 
Sa pe ar pm re ee 
——— jay Serra ie: 'Neilgher- der this a very conspicuous plant and one well worth 
ries, i. on the tops of the Iyamallay Hills near cultivation. 
Coimbatore 
