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ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 11] 
Propertizs AND Uses. These were formerly believed to be of the most valuable description, 
but modern experience does not confirm the ancient belief. One species, Hypericum androse- 
mum once enjoyed so prominent & reputation on account of its supposed sanative properties as to 
receive the name of Ali heal, and hence the English name Tutsan from Toute-saine, on the 
supposition that it cured all diseases and wounds, but, notwithstanding, has now fallen into total 
neglect. Many species whea rubbed between the fingers exhale an aromatic resinous odour 
which is communicated by infusion to alcoho} and oil, imparting to them a reddish colour ; and 
appears referable to a resinous principle which they contain. ‘They also contain a gummy mat- 
ter in greater or less abundance. Some of the American species abound in a yellow juice, pos- 
sessing more energetic properties “‘ that obtained from Vismia guineensis, a Mexican and 
Surinam tree is known in commerce, and called American Gummi gutta (or gamboge)” Royle’s 
Mliustrations. So far as the Indian species are concerned nothing is known of their properties. 
Remarks oN GENERAAND Species. Previous to the investigations of M. Spach the number 
of genera referred to this order amounted to 12 only. These under his scrutiny have been 
augmented to 27: species of 23 of which were formerly united under the large and very com- 
plex genus Hypericum, To give a complete view of this order as it now stands, would require 
more space than can be here devoted to the subject, I shall therefore content myself for the pre- 
sent with giving some of his sectional characters, and the generic characters of a few of the genera 
which we either already know, or may expect to find, in India. Species of both the Peninsular 
genera I have now figured, viz. Norysca mysorensis, Icones No. 56, and Brathys Wightiana, 
No. 43 of this work under the old name Hypericum. 
M. Spach divides the order into two principal tribes under the names of DesMostTEMONEA 
and Hyrrerice®, which are again subdivided into sections., Of the first tribe, as only a few 
species seem referable to the Asiatic Flora and none of these strictly speaking Indian, being 
natives of the eastern islands or China, I shall only give the character with one of its sections, 
nd one genus, which I have had an opportunity of examining, and pass on to the second, 
‘which, as being of more importance to the Indian Botanist will be more fully explained. 
Tribe lst.—Desmostemonex®.—Petals equal sided, within, above the base, very often fur- 
nished with a little pit or appendage. Stamens triadelphous or pentadelphous, the androphore 
(united portion of the filaments), longer than the filaments, or very rarely shorter: each alter- 
nating with a gland or hypogynous scale. Pericarp often fleshy or drupacious. Seeds usually 
compressed or winged, the radicle sometimes replicate. 
Section 2.—Tripismingem Sp.—Stamens persistent, 3 adelphous; androphores polyan- 
drous, longer than the filaments, with a coriaceous scale alternating. Ovary 3-celled, 3-styled, 
with the ovules definite, or indefinite in number, ascending, winged! Pericarp capsular, (the 
central axis wanting or slender) oftén loculicidal! Seeds cylindrical, broadly winged above; 
- Embryo straight. Trees or shrubs, corolla often white or reddish. 
Ancistrotosus Sp.—Sepals erect, persistent. Petals subpersistent, inappendiculate. 
Hypogynous scales convolute. Androphores strap-shaped, filamentiferous, nearly from the 
base; anthers reniform, eglandular. Ovary, cells with 5-6 ovules; ovules attached to the base 
of the cells. Style, thicker above. Stigmas capitate, papillose. Capsules coriaceous, oblong, 
roundish : cells few seeded, partitions cartilaginous, placentiferous at the hase. Seeds oblong, 
smoothish: wings reticulated, margined with a nerve; cotyledons as long 9s the radicle, hooked 
at the apex. Peduncles,-axillary and terminal, 1-5 flowered. sts : 
Of this genus I have had an opportunity of examining one species from Mergui, for which 
I am indebted to W. Griffith, Esq. It is not improbable that it may prove new, but as J am 
unacquainted with the rest of the genus I refrain from naming it. ; 
The plant is a tree or shrub with slender terminal branches, glabrous, the leaves oblong, 
elliptical, obtuse at the apex, slightly attenuated at the base, gradually tapering into the petiol, 
the larger ones from 3 to 4 inches long and about 14 broad, those having flowers in their axils 
scarcely half the size. Flowers axillary, solitary, short petioled. Sepals and petals rounded 
and obtuse above, the petals slightly oblique at the base. The stamens very numerous, densely 
covering the back of the ligulate androphores, filaments short, slender, anthers minute. Hypo- 
gynous scales, cuniate, saccate at the apex, fromthe contraction of their reflexed margins,. 
