ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 159 
the apex, while those of the warmer regions split from the apex and roll their segments towards 
the base. This difference of habit between those of India proper and the Himalayan forms, is 
well worthy of notice, as it shows, that the affinity which exists between the flora of the latter 
and that of Europe, is stronger than between it and the Indian, and extends to even this most 
have shown to be so eminently possessed by those of this order, may, when the subject has 
been more studied and is better understood, prove of immense benefit to the scientific culti- 
vator. 
Taking for an example the genus Impatiens, we may at once infer, that herbaceous plants 
growing where its species abounds, and arriving at maturity about the same time, may be trans- 
ferred to any other locality, where they are equally prevalent. Thus the associates of I. no/i- 
tangere, insignis, racemosa and bicolor, might be mutually interchanged; while the neighbours 
of I. reticulata, pubernla, &c. might be made to change places with those of I. fasciculata, 
grandis, and many more, with every prospect of success. The limits to which this rule may be 
extended are as yet totally unknown, and cannot be estimated, until plants are studied not as 
insulated individuals, but in connexion with the soil, climate, aspect, exposure, &c. in which 
they are observed to arrive at the greatest perfection. This is a study Which the scientific 
Botanist pursues in its relations to the physiological peculiarities of plants, but to the cultiva- 
tor, it becomes one of much deeper and more engrossing interest, as the success or failure of 
vast speculations may depend on his acquaintance with, or ignorance of, the external agents 
which act on the objects of his culture—whether for their benefit or their injury. 
Propertizrs and Uses. Under this head there is little room for remark. One species, 
Impatiens noli tangere, which derives its name “ Voli tangere” from its acrimony, is said to 
Remarks on Genera anb Specizs. The genera of this order are few, amounting as yet, 
I believe, to only two, viz. Impatiens and Alydrocera—the former distinguished by the irre. 
gularity, caused by suppression and union of parts of its flowers, the latter, by having them 
quite regular with a drupacious 5-celled fruit —The species on the other hand, are numerous, 
and when characterized from dry specimens the most difficult to distinguish, though with 
recent ones less so than those of many other genera. This arises from the tender succulent 
nature of the plants causing the flowers, the part from which the best characters are derived, 
to become so matted together in drying, that it is quite impossible to separate them afterwards 
in such a manner as to show their forms 
a made, which, so vastly tecthibate the discrimination of the species, that 
those of this, generally supposed most difficult genus, become among the easiest to distinguish 
Sof those embracing so largea number. _ 
_ The fullest advan 
ntage has been taken these sectional characters, in our account of the 
mus as well as in the respective contributions towards the elucidation of 
ott and myself, published in Hooker’s Companion to the Botanical 
Ist, and in the Madras Journal of Science. ‘Yo these sources I am under the 
ie 
