ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 71 
—— of it in the highest terms, and seem to think it not less wholesome than grateful to ne 
palate. It is remarkable that it has never been introduced on this side of the Bay, as it ce 
tainly seems a most desirable plant to have among us 
EMARKS ON THE GeNERA. Three indigenous genera only of this order are found in the 
Indian Peninsula, and are described in our Prodromus under the names of Felicteres, Bombax, 
and Eriodendron. ‘These names Professor Endlicher of Vienna, in the course of a revision of 
the order has seen reason to change. The species, which originally formed the types of these 
genera are all of American origin, and on being carefully compared with the Indian 
species which have been associated with them, were found to differ so much, as to render 
necessary the separation of the Asiatic from the American forms. Under such circum - 
stances, it was incumbent on him in separating the former as new genera, to retain the old 
names with the American forms, to which they had been originally assigned, and give new names 
to the Indian ones. Whether the new genera recommended by him will be adopted by other 
Botanists is still uncertain, but that the readers of these remarks may have an opportunity of 
judging for themselves of the propriety of the changes, I append, for comparison, the generic 
characters of both the American and Indian genera, but without for the present, offering any 
opinion of my own on the propriety or otherwise of the change, as I have not yet had an oppor- 
tunity of satisfying myself on that point by a comparison of the plants themselves, and 
written characters do not always convey, tothe mind, avery clear or satisfactory idea of the 
differences which may actually exist, and be very apparent to the eye, though not easily de- 
scribed. 
In addition to the species here figured there is another, or a very distinct variety found at 
i approaching in some respects to Wallich’s B. imsigne, in the large size of its 
flowers. It differs, I think, specifically from B. Malabarica, in having the petals linear, nearly 
twice the length of the stamens ; the stamens many times more numerous, the filaments 
much more slender and filiform, and the anthers POOR in proportion. ‘The flowers being fully 
twice as large as those here represented, and pe relative proportion in the size of the parts 
being changed, added to the capsule being hard and woody, leaves scarcely a doubt on 
my mind of its being distinct, but ras ms I refrain for the present from naming 
it as such, owing to my specimens ne imperfect, and not sufficient to admit of my adequately 
characterizing the species from them 
Heticreres L. Calyx tubulosus bilabiatim 5 fidus. Petala pa ungue appendiculata, 
bilabiatim disposita. Staminum tubus carpophoro connatus, longe exsertus. Filamenta fertilia 
5~—10; sterilia 5 petaloidea, paribus fertilium staminum opposita. Chenuiahs longe stipitatum 
e carpellis 5 (cum staminibus sterilibus alternantibus). Styli — Stigmata obsoleta. 
Fructus e carpellis 5 distinctis, spiratim contortis 1. rectis, polysperm 
albuminosa. Cotyledones convolute.—Frutices precipue Americe eee foliis latecordatis 
crenato-dentatis dense tomentosis, floribus cymosis terminalibus, albis vel rubro-fuscis. 
Isora. Calyx asalh chad atullniie subinflatus 5 fide bilabiatus, labio superiore producto. 
Petala ligulata bilabiatim disposita, : inferiora exappendiculata, superiora 2 appendiculo unila- 
terali maximo. Staminum tubus carpophoro connatus, setytitte ex feat in aber m ovarium 
cingentem ampliatus, filamentis sterilitas 5 liguliformibus minutis.... capsule 5 in spiram 
arcte contortea. Species indice. Js. corylifolia (Hel. Ae ce Is, grewiaefolia (Hel. 
grewiaefolia Cand.). 
Petala erecta. Tubus stamineus 
bilocularia longitudinaliter adnata 
Capsula lignosa 5 locu- 
Ertopenpron DC. Calyx irregulariter sub 5 fidus. 
medio ampliatus apice in 5 crura divisus, antherosomata 
recta gerentia. Stigmata connexa unicum ciabegugert mentientia. 
that there are two trees growing in Trichinopoly, and one 
* Since the above was written 1 have learned from General Bisho 
re then hi aaet twice borne a single fruit, but on neither occasion brought it to maturity ; the first blighted on the tree, the second 
