. 
120 GLEANINGS AND ORIGINAL MEMORANDA. 
to five-nerved leaves. The genus is distinguished from Onosma by the presence of a plaited coronet inside the tube of the 
corolla above its insertion, and by the peculiar form of that organ, which consists of a short cylindrical tube expanding 
suddenly into a great ovate closed limb. The name Maharanga is that employed by the Nepalese, among whom the 
great fusiform root of the plant is used in producing a blue dye: it is said to signify “ a strong or intense colour." Dr. 
Wallich, in Carey's Flora indica, thus describes the species as it occurs in Nepal :— 
* Root stout, sub-fusiform, dividing at the end into several thick branches, whitish within, vog with deep m 
bark ; fibres capillary, few. Ste m slender, round, divided into simple branches, as well as all the other parts, covered 
wi circular dots, each terminating in a straight, simple bristle. Leaves scattered, sessile, hispid and dotted 
durs smoother below, with three longitudinal nerves, uniting a little above the base, sometimes with another pair 
from the middle rib, varying considerably in size, mostly lanceolate, four or five i a es bnt s sometimes sub-linear, and 
in that case generally shorter. Racemes gradually expanding and becoming ere very hispid, one 
or two inches long. Flowers smal, copious, secund, erect, on short pedicels, viti equal their linear, solitary bracts. 
Calyx ovate, five-angled, g with the ripening seeds; laciniz triangular, acute, the base of their sinuses 
forming five prominent corners. Corolla pale, bluish towards its thouth, twice the length of the calyx, hairy, igicur. 
with as many deep furrows ; the base inverted over the ovaria, and embracing the base of the style; throat co 
lacinize ovate, acute. Fi lamen ts rini on five villous protuberances, below the middle of the tk corre’ ine ina 
the peii ee nd anthers linear-sagittate, larger than the voe converging in cone ; their pna 
ring. Styl e longer dini the corolla, slender ; stigma annular. Seed bro ich; shining, dotted, and 
ney keeled on the inner side, ending in a compressed short bak; int in other respects exactly like those of 
O. simplex, Gaert. Carp., i. 325, tab. 67. 
“ Obs. I should have taken this plant to be the same as 0, tinctoria, had any of the authors I have consulted, and 
who appear to have copied Marschal a Bieberstein’s description of. that species, 
made any “seg to dee EE c f the corolla. Its base is bent 
margin, 
inwards, ing 
of the pisil ; ae middle is ا‎ five- 
berances on which the stamina 
سام‎ for dyeing blue, and importe 
Thibet, as a drug, under the native name, 
The 
from Gosain o probably also from 
mentioned above 
