11. Maesdenia.] 75. AtCLEPIADACEJE. [IS. ITbzgea. 



then tapering to a blunt apex, solitary, slightly grooved on one side* 

 Seeds flat margined, with a coma 2'. 



It has a very strong fibre used for bow-strings, and which Roxburgh 

 refers to an one of the strongest he had met with in the vegetable kingdom 

 (FIb. Ind. II, 56). It hae been several times recommended for cultivation. 



12. Pergularia, L. 



Differs from Marsdenia chiefly in 'the nmch larger flowers 

 with a distinct tube, and the transversely-bifid or 2-lamellate 

 large coronal scales. These are often described as simple in 

 P. pallida, bnt as a fact the two lamellae though often connate 

 are distinguishable, the long ligule extending to above the 

 anther evidently being the inner lamella. The coronal scales 

 are only shortly adnate to the anthers. 



1- P. pallida, W. & A. Kongat, Kharw., 8. 



A twining shrub with sub-watery juice, ovate or ovate- 

 cordate acuminate leaves, and greenish or yellowish-white 

 flowers f-1" diam. in axillary umbelliform cymes. Follicles 

 deeply grooved solitary about 4" long acuminate. 



Palamau and Santal Parganahs, chiefly in nalas and scrub-jungle. 

 Fls. May. Fr. Bec-Jany, Renews leaves at time of flowering. 



8tems somewhat furrowed and pustular glabrous when old. Young 

 leaves seldom deeply cordate, old usually deeply cordate with nerves 

 beneath shortly pubescent but otherwise nearly glabrous. Petioles 1%" 

 (often only | v when in flower). 



The three species Marsdenia tenacissima, Dre'gea volubilis and this 

 are frequently mixed up in the forest, and without flowers are somewhat 

 difficult to distinguish. Marsdenia is usually known from its dense 

 pubescence. Dregea is more pubescent than the Pergn laria and may 

 be known from both by its almost invariably paired follicles. Its leaves 

 too are less cordate, or even acute at base. 



13. Dregea, E. Meyer. 



1. D. VOlubiliS. Benth. Marang Kongat, S. 

 A stout twiner with often pustular branches, ovate or 

 broadly-ovate leaves more or less acuminate, with rounded or 



437 



