80 NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 
The family is very widely distributed over the world, but very decidedly predom- 
inates within the tropics and warmer portions of the temperate zones. A few, however, 
extend almost to the confines of the frigid zones. Three are natives of England, and 
several others of Europe. 
The properties of this family are somewhat peculiar; one species yields the well 
known sweet potatoe of India; another, the still better known Jalap of the druggist ; 
and a third the Scammony. The two last are natives of America, and, what is remarkable, 
a variety of the Jalap plant yields large tubers which have lost the cathartic property 
of the species and are used as food. The roots of Ipomea turpethum, an Indian species, 
possesses properties similar to those of Jalap, and are in use among the Natives as a sub- 
stitute for that medicine. Several other species are used medicinally by the Natives, and 
a very large and handsome plant has got the name of snake-creeper, under the impression 
that snakes will not approach it! a foolish fancy, as I have seen snakes taking shelter 
under the abundant cover it affords for their concealment to such an extent that 1 was 
obliged to destroy a handsome arbour of it to get rid of them. Many of the species are 
cultivated for their beauty ; two, known under the name of scarlet creepers, species of the 
genus Quamoclit, are much prized for arbours, but, like many of the family, labour to 
Some extent under the disadvantage of early dropping their flowers. The moon flower 
Calonyction speciosum, formerly Ipomea bona-noe, is quite remarkable on this account, 
opening its large handsome flowers about sun-set and dropping them a little after sun- 
rise, whence the name “ good-night flower.” One of the most highly prized of the family 
for its ornamental qualities is the Pharbitis Nil which, in its native state, has rich blue 
flowers, but under cultivation becomes beautifully varigated, with the further advantage 
of retaining its flowers nearly the whole day. 
CONVOLVULUS. 
Sepals 5. Corolla campanulate. Style 1, stigmas 2, linear, cylindrical, often revolute. Ovary 2-celled 
with 4 ovules, capsule 2-celled. Herbs or shrubs. 
Under this character M. Choisy gives characters of 117 species, several of these however imperfectly 
known. Of that long list the only one I haye ever seen on the Neilgherries is the one here represented, 
which is a comparatively decumbent plant twining among grass, and though, when examined, not desti- 
tute of beauty is yet most modest and retiring in its habits, Were it introduced into the garden and made 
to twine on low bushes so as to bring its delicately-coloured flowers to light, I cannot help thinking it would 
soon find a place in most gardens, to the exclusion perhaps of some of the exotics, which require much 
more care and are less deserving of it than this, and many other native plants, which Iam most certain 
would be highly prized in English gardens, though so completely neglected in their native country. It is 
to be hoped a change in this respect will ere long come over the tastes of European sojourners, on these 
health-giving mountains, and especially of permanent residents, proprietors of houses and gardens. 
ConVoLvULUS RUFESCENS (Choisy), stems rusty 3 lines long; exterior ones ubescent: corolla 5-6 
red: leaves hastato-cordate, acute at tha apex, sd lines hinge: Calpe giabeoen 
cronulate ; sinuate on the margin, 2 inches long, the _—_Neilgherries, not uncommon. 
auricles crenato-lobate ; petiols 7 lines long: pedun- = A_procumbent plant, spreading to a considerable 
cles short, 1-3-flowered : bracts minute: pedicels 3-6 extent among long grass. 
lines long: sepals ovato-acuminate, ciliate, acute, 
