Xglopia.] flora indica. 125 



as of no more than sectional value. Xylopia is very closely allied to Melodorum, but 

 is readily known by the erect habit, the peculiar torus, and the truncate stamens. 

 Its petals only differ by being more elongated. Anona, which is also like it in 

 flower, is distinguishable by a multitude of characters. Many of the species, on a 

 casual inspection, so much resemble the genus Diospyros, that the two genera are 

 often intermixed in herbaria. 



Xylopia is widely distributed throughout tropical regions, for, though probably 

 most abundant in America, a number of species are known from West Africa, and 

 A. Richard mentions one as a native of Mauritius. Blume describes none from any 

 part of the Malayan Archipelago, nor have we seen any among the collections of 

 Cuming. At present therefore it would appear that in India they are confined to 

 Ceylon and the Malayan Peninsula. 



1. X. Malayana (H.f. et T.) ; foliis oblongis basi acutis obtuse 

 acuminatis glaberrimis, inflorescentia axillari subtriflora, pedicellis me- 

 dio unibracteatis, ovariis 5-7. 



Hab. Malacca, Griff*.! — (v. s.) 



Ardor. Hamuli graciles, glabri, cortice fusco ruguloso, juniores vix puberuli. 

 Folia 3-5 poll, longa, 1-^-2 lata, petiolo ^-poll., coriacea, firma, laxe reticulato-ve- 

 nosa, areolis magnis, supra lucida, subtus (in sicco) brunnea. Pedunculi vix lineam 

 longi, subtriflori, pubescentes ; pedicelli vix longiores. Alabastri strigosi, pubescentes, 

 vix semipollicare3, argute triquetri. Sepala majuscula, acuta. Petala ext. summo 

 apice tantum triquetra. Ovaria dense et longe albo-pilosa. Ovula 2. 



2. X. parvifolia (H.f. et T.) ; foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acumina- 

 tis basi acutis utrinque glabris, inflorescentia axillari 3— 5 -flora, pedicel- 

 lis bracteolis pluribus rotuudatis imbricatis tectis, ovariis 5. — Patonia 

 parvifolia, Wight, III. 1 9 ! 



Hab. In Zeylania, Walker I — (v. s.) 



Arbor vel frutex floribnndus. Hamuli Mvo -pubescentes, demum glabrati, fusci, 

 albo-punctati. Folia 2-3 poll, longa, f~li lata, petiolo -|-poll., crasse coriacea, 

 venulis creberrimis reticulatis notata, supra nitida, subtus pallida. Fasciculi florum 

 subsessiles ; pedicelli brevissimi ; bracteola suprema calyci adpressa, rotunda vel re- 

 niformis. Alabastri \ poll, longi, fusco-sericei, Sepala ad medium coalita, acuta. 

 Petala utrinque pubescentia. Ovula 4-6. 



Patonia Walkeri, Wight! 111. i. 19, is a species of Diospyros. 



3. X, nigricans (H.f. et T.) ; foliis ellipticis vel lanceolatis obtuse 

 acuminatis glaberrimis, floribus axiUaribus solitariis vel ternis, bracteo- 

 lis 1-2 minutis, ovariis 5. 



Hab. Ceylon, Thwaites! No. 615, 1038.— (v. s) 



Frutex. Eamuli graciles, foliosi, cortice ruguloso, albido, glabro ; partes novelise 

 puberulae. Folia basi acuta, in sicco atro-viridia, tenuiter coriacea, forsan nndulata, 

 subtus pallidiora, 3 poll, longa, 1| lata, petiolo |-poll. Pedicelli vix i-pollicares, 

 graciles, bracteolis deciduis. Alabastri ^--pollicares. Flores fere X. parvifolia, 

 sed petala exteriora fere ad apicem excavata, mucrone triquetro abbreviate. Ovula 

 circa 4. 



We learn from a memorandum by Mr. Thwaites, that the carpels of this species 

 dehisce when ripe, along the suture, and expose the seeds nestling in red pulp. 



4. X. caudata (H.f. et T.); foliis oblongo-lanceolatis longe et 

 obtuse acuminatis mucronulatis subtus sericeo-incanis, floribus minu- 

 tis solitariis vel fasciculatis, ovariis 2, — Guatteria? caudata, Wall. Cat. 

 6452! 



