39. CACTACEM. 



The following (probably) Mexican species are more or 

 less naturalized : — 



1. Cereus hexagonus, L. Bonga-daru, K. 



With erect columnar 6-ridged fleshy stems 4-6 ft. high covered with 

 clusters of sharp spines. Very large solitary white flowerB. Much grown 

 in hedges. Fls. Aug. -Sept. 



2. Opuntia Dillenii, Haw. Sapin, S. Prickly Pear. 



Branched with short oblong compressed 'joints and long straight 

 thorns from tufts of sharp bristles. Fls. large bright yellow, often varie- 

 gated red. 



Fls. esp. January, but more or less all the year round. Occasional 

 near villages. 



Roxburgh considered this indigenous in India. 



Fam. 40. ROSACE E. 



Herbs, shrubs or trees witb stipulate alternate simple or 

 compound leaves. Fls, regular, 2-sexual. Calyx lobes 

 imbricate in bud, sometimes an epicalyx present. Floral- 

 axis more or leas hollowed out into a cupular or flask-shaped 

 receptacle (" hypanthium" or u calyx-tube ") lined above, or 

 entirely, by the disc and bearing the petals and usually 

 numerous mv.lt iseriate stamens. Carpels 1 or more, more 

 or less free at the bottom of the calyx-tube or aduate to its 

 sides, 1-2-ovuled. Fruit very variable. 



A large order, to which belong the plum, apple, pear, 

 hawthorn, etc., but poorly represented in Chcta Nagpur. 

 The Peach (Pr-unus persica) and the Loquab- (Eriobotrya 

 japonica) are sometimes cullivated. 



Carpel solitary, not included in the calyx-tube when ripe. Fr. a 

 drupe. Leaves simple 1. Pygeum. 



Carpels several, included in the flask-shaped fleshy calyx-tube when 

 ripe. Leaves compound 2. Rosa. 



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