MELASTOMA CE^E. 



207 



three- to five-nerved, entire leaves rough with addresse'l 

 bristles, and regular, large, terminal, red flowers. 



A thoroughly tropical Family, of very little economic use, 

 though generally characterised by beautiful flowers. The 

 head-quarters of the Family is in Brazil. 



Observe the three strong nerves, almost invariably present, 

 of the opposite leaves : the curious structure of the stamens, 

 and the mode in which the anthers are tucked into little 

 pockets between the ovary and calyx-tube while enclosed 

 in the bud. In our Type there are five long and five short 



Fig. 134. Flower of Melastoina inalahatkricum. 



Stamens ; the anthers of the long ones are prolonged and 

 curved below the cells, and at the point where they join the 

 filament they give off two little horns. 



