J 58 ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY 



Affinities. These, as already mentioned under Oleacece, I consider oLsciire. When 

 that article was written, and even in type, I was not aware that De Candolle had added 

 Schrebera (Roxb.)) to the order. This addition, assuming that that genus is a true congener, 

 appears to add to the difficulty by rendering them more complex. At the present time most 

 Botanists coincide in considering Jasmineo^ and Oleacece, very nearly allied orders, but distinct 

 especially as shown by the pentamerous tendency of the flowers of the former, as compared with 

 the tctramerous tendency of those of the latter. I have shown above that the transition from the 

 one to the other, is gradual and that they actually meet in Chondrospermum^ which appertains 

 so far as yet known, about equally to both orders, being doubtfully placed in the one by Wallich 

 and in the other by De Candolle. To Lindley, however, it does not appear that Jasmines have 

 any real affinity with Olives, on the contrary he regards their unsymmetrical flowers, and 

 deeply lobed fruit, as suggesting a very different affinity and seem to point distinctly to those 

 monopetalous orders, in which the number of stamens is different from that of the divisions 

 of the corolla, such as Labiates and Verbenas, but particularly the latter which sometimes 

 resembles Jasmines, in their fruit, as happens in Clerodendron. As regards Jasminum I am 

 disposed to coincide with those Botanists who view its affinities as appertaining to the contortece 

 group of orders, Apocynaceos^ Loganiacece^ ^c. ; but with respect to Nyctanthes^ think that 

 Lindley's views are nearer the truth. As regards Schrebera on the other hand, its affinities 

 fluctuate between BignoniacecB and AcanthacecE^ having the compound foliage, panicled inflores- 

 cence and winged seeds of the former, with the hard capsule, and somewhat elastic dehiscence 

 (each valve bearing half the septum), of the latter, but differing from both in having the pen- 

 dulous ovules and seed of some Pedaliacece. 



Assuming that all these genera are true congeners, it follows that the relationships of this 

 small order are most extensive and complex, Jasminum associating with one set of orders. 



Nyctanthes 



In a word, I view Jasminum as being 



properly placed in Endlicher's class Contortce, along with Apocynacece, Asclepiadeoe and Logan- 

 iaceos: Nydanthes in Lindley's Echial* Alliance, with Boraginece and Verhenacece, while 

 Schrebera associates in some striking points with Pedaliacece^ Bignoniacece and Acanthaceoe, of 



the Biguonal alliance. 



Geographical Distribution. India is certainly the head quarters of this order, in 

 nearly all parts of which they are fonnd and in many places greatly ahound. They extend 

 from the sea-coast to the tops of the highest mountains. From India several extend eastwards 

 as far as China, and the South Islands: some are natives of Africa and the adjoining Islands, 

 and several are natives of New Holland. Two species of Jasminum and four of Bolivaria, are 

 natives of South America, and two Jasmines claim the south of Europe as their native country, 

 where they are justly prized for the formation of arbours. 



Properties AND Uses.^ These are not important. The flowers of J. officinale and 

 diflorum furmsh the genume essential oil of Jasmine, but an inferior kind Is also, I believe 



lis countrv. Axtmnfpd fmrYi T c„^»,..^ j-u- a « i . . , , -i • . xu. 



? .,TJ 7 -"" 6-"""*^ coocutmi uu oi jasmme, Dut an interior kind is also, i oeiievc, 



in this country, extracted from /. Sambue, the flowers of which are also much used in the 

 formation of native ornaments such as necklaces, and for dressing the hair on occasions of 



AntTarl ^7},? ^^l\ ^^' ''°^^ ^^ "^^ '^''^'' ''' ««^d medicinally as a remedy for 



ringu orn and herpes. And the orange-coloured tubes of Nvctanthes arhnr iLii. are much used 



by the dyer to obtain a yellow dye. 



India /a^™n«m and ^^'/^? ^'^T'' ^^''' ^^°^^^ ^^^J «f this order are known m 

 The flowers a^muc^^^ ^ '-''"^^^ ^'^''^''^ ^^' l>een added by De Candolle. 



the sLond a LZf. I'Ll^L^h/-^"! .T^ ?i%ent, the first having a succulent berry, 



iponding 

 lev who 



