the Natural Order Myrsinese. 97 



I therefore propose to divide the Mi/rshieie into three tribes: 1st, ^gi- 

 cerea\ with an erect embryo, nearly allied to Sapofea\ and particularly to 

 Jacqu'iniu ; 2nd, Ardisiecv, including the bulk of true Myrsinece; 3rd, Miesece, 

 with an inferior ovarium, approaching to Prlmulacece, and especially to the 

 tribe Samolecc. 



Mr. Brown has proposed* to include in the genus Myrsine certain species 

 having a divided stigma, and formerly referred to Ardisia. I agree with him 

 in removing them from Ardinhi ; but the best character of Myrsine consisting 

 in its peculiar inflorescence, and these species not possessing that character, 

 I prefer establishing them as a separate genus, to which I have given the old 

 name of Badula. 



I have proposed two new genera, namely, JVeigeltia and Comnnorpha, the 

 characters of which are well marked. But my genus Chorlpetalum will be 

 considered as a very great exception, and its principal character must still be 

 thoroughly examined. It is composed of two species, which Dr. Wallich de- 

 scribes as polypetalous (see Flora Indica, ii.), though the fruit is certainly that 

 of the Myrsinece. Unfortunately, these species are very scarce, and in a bad 

 state in herbaria ; and besides, it is not easy to determine whether a corolla 

 be really polypetalous or deeply divided : the best criterion, I believe, is, that 

 distinct petals alone fall off separately, and so I observed them in our spe- 

 cimens ; but might not broken lobes in the dry plant assume the same appear- 

 ance ? I hope Dr. Wallich will examine this point again in living specimens, 

 although I expect my genus will remain in any case, as the two species have 

 very much the same habit, and differ in that respect from all others. 



The Myrsinece have more or less a disposition to produce a resinous sub- 

 stance, which appears as dots or reservoirs in different parts of the plant, chiefly 

 in the leaves, flowers and berries. It may be seen also in the hard wood of 

 Myrsine and ^giceras. That this matter is resinous I have little doubt, as 

 I have ascertained that it melts and burns in the flame of a candle : it is not 

 soluble in water, but is so in oil or in alcohol when moderately heated, giving 

 to the latter a rose colour. I observed these facts with the berries of Myrsine 

 semiserrata. The dots of Myrsinece are dark or light brown, reddish, orange, 

 or yellow ; they vary in size, shape and position, in difltrent species. I sup- 



* Prodi: Fl. Nov. Holl, p. 533. 

 VOL. XVIt. O 



