ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 205 
Grocrapnicat Distrisution. This order has a wide range, Europe, Africa, Asia and 
America, have indigenous species, one only, however, and that the common European Lythrum 
Salicaria has been found in New Holland. In India they abound, no fewer than 24 being 
already enumerated as belonging to the Peninsular flora, exclusive of two species of Cerato- 
phyllum which most Botanists now remove from this order. ‘These are distributed under 8 
genera, the most prominent of which, as regards the number of species, is certainly Ammannig, 
but by far the most conspicuous as regards the species themselves are Lagerstraemea and 
Grislea, while Lawsonia is more common and much admired on account the fragrance of its 
flowers. 
Propertizs anD Uses. These are with few exceptions unknown or unimportant. Some 
species are astringent. The flowers of Grislea tomentosa mixed with Morinda are used to dye 
red. eaves of Lawsonia alba have the property of staining the skin and nails of a deep 
orange colour, and are constantly employed by the natives for that purpose, I[t is much cultiva- 
ted as a fence perhaps as much on account of the fragrance of its flowers, as for its fitness in 
other respects for the purpose for which it is ostensibly employed. 
The Lagerstraemias are all trees or shrubs and remarkable for the beauty of their flowers, 
L. reginae is the most conspicuous, but Z. parviftora and microcarpa perhaps the most beau- 
tiful when in flower. ‘The only species of Ammannia, deserving notice is A. vesicatoria, Roxb. 
the leaves of which are so acrid that when bruised and applied, like a cataplasm, to the skin 
they very quickly blister it. When bruised they exhale a strong muriatic odour which is the 
best mark by which to distinguish the plant, but unfortunately is only applicable to the recent 
state. 
Remarks on Genera anp Sprcrrs. This sub-order divides itself into two sections, 
Lythreae and Lagerstraemiae. The former of these is widely distributed the latter are almost 
entirely tropical. Of the first division 7 genera are enumerated in the Peninsular flora: of 
these, Rotala, Ammannia and Nesea are very imperfectly distinguished by the characters now 
constituted, and also whether the theory proposed be tenable. Generic characters taken from 
the bracteal appendages I consider of secondary value as all have them more or less distinctly, 
some species of Ammannia, perhaps, being exceptions. esa certainly is not. 
When I proposed the distribution here sketched I had not examined the whole order, and 
re-examined my genus .Vimmonia (by mistake called Nimmoia), as I have since done aided by 
