cm. CKENOPODIACEiE. 509 



globose; ovule subsessile; styles 3, connate at the base; stigmas liuear- 

 clavate, papillose M'ithin. Fruit a globose utricle, included in the fleshy 

 perianth; pericarp thin, adnate to the seed. Seed erect, subglobose ; 

 testa crustaceous ; albumen scanty ; embryo piano-spiral ; cotyledons 

 large, thin, convolute. — Distkib. Asia and Tropical Africa, elsewhere 

 cultivated in the Tropics ; species 2. 



A new species, Basella i)anieulata, a native of German East Africa, has recently 

 been described by Volkeiis (Engl. Bot. Jabr. v. 38 [1905] p. 81). 



1. Basella rubra, Linn. Sp. PI. (1753) p. 272. A perennial herb ; 

 stem very long, slender, twining to the right, succulent, glabrous, much- 

 branchecl. Leaves 2-5 by 1-3 in. (often larger under cultivation), broadly 

 ovate, acute or acuminate, thick, apiculate, entire, base often cordate, 

 narrowed into the petiole ; petioles |-1 in. long. Flowers white or 

 red, sessile, few, in lax pedunculate spikes 1-6 in. long ; bracts small, 

 apiculate ; bracteoles rather longer than the perianth, oblong, obtuse. 

 Perianth divided about ^- way down ; segments elliptic, obtuse. Fruit 

 of the size of a pea, red, white or black. Fl. B. I. v. 5, p. 20 ; Trim. 

 Fl. Ceyl. V. 3, p. 410 ; Woodr. in Journ. Bomb. ISTat. v. 12 (1899) 

 p. 365 ; Prain, Beng. PI. p. 882 ; Watt, Diet. Econ. Prod. v. 1, p. 404. 

 Basella alba, Linn. Sp. PI. (1753) p. 272; Wight, Icon. t. 896 ; Grab. 

 Cat. p. 170 ; Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 73 ; Watt, Diet. Econ. Prod, 

 v. 1, p. 403. — Flowers : Oct.-Dec. Vern. Velbondi ; Maijdl-ki-bdji. 



Very extensively grown and used as a pot-herb. The form with white stems is to 

 be seen climbing over native houses in and about villages, where it supplies both shade 



and food. It is a very wliulesome vegetable and makes a good spinach. Distrib. 



Throughout India, wild or cultivated ; Ceylon, Tropical Asia and Africa. 



Doubtful Genus. 



CHTENOLEA SEVOIDES, Hook. i^. Fl. B. I. v. 5 (1886) p. 10. A plant of wliicli 

 there are 2 sheets in Herb. Kew. without flowers has been doubtfully included in the 

 genus Chcnolca by Sir J. D. Hooker. The locality (Sind) ascribed to the plant rests 

 on somewhat doubtful evidence, and it does not appear to have been found by any (if 

 the collectors who have recently worked in Sind. The attention of local botanists is 



invited 



The following non-indigenous plants not belonging to any of the 

 foregoing genera are grown in gardens : — 



Beta vulgaris, Linn. Sp. PL (1753) p. 222. TJie Beet, cultivated 

 throughout the Presidency and much used by Europeans as a salad. 

 Fl. B. I. V. 5, p. 5 ; Grab. Cat. p. 171 ; Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 73 ; 

 AVoodr. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. v. 12 (1899) p. 364 & Gard. in Ind.' 

 ed. 5, p. 428 ; Prain, Beng. PI. p. 879. Beta maritima, Watt, Diet. 

 Econ. Prod. v. 1, p. 448. — Vern. PdUik. 



Spinacia oleracea, Linn. Sp. PI. (1753) p. 1027. Spinach, cultivated 

 in gardens. Native country unknown. Fl. B. I. v. 5, p. 6 ; Grab. Cat. 

 p. 171; Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 73; Woodr. in Journ. Bomb. JSTat, 

 V. 12 (1899) p. 364 & Gard. in Ind. ed. 5, p. 429 ; Prain, Beng. PI. 

 p. 880 ; Watt, Diet. Econ. Prod. v. 6, part 3, p. 330.— Veen. Pdlal: 



