Melodinus.] apocynace^. 219 



rolla of the size of M. monogyyius, but the lobes less oblique and less distinctly 

 toothed on the inner edge, and the scales of the throat very small and liairy. 

 The berry, according- to Champion, is spindle-shaped or pear-shaped, the size of 

 a large apple. In a specimen of Wright's, if not mismatched, it is globular. 

 Hongkong, Champion, on Victoria Peak, Wilford; also Wright. Not known from elsewhere. 



3. ALYXIA, 11. Br. 



Calyx without glands. CoroUa-tube cylindrical or slightly contracted at 

 the top ; the limb spreading, the lobes ovate or oblong, without scales at the 

 throat. Anthers enclosed in the tube. Ovary of 2 distinct carpels, united 

 by a single style, with a capitate or oblong stigma. Ovules several in each 

 carpel. Fruit a single-seeded ovoid or oblong drupe or beny, or sometimes 

 consisting of 2 one-seeded joints placed end to end, or rarely 2 from the same 

 flower, as only one of the carpels usually ripens. 



A small genus, chiefly Austrahan or from the islands of the Pacific, with a verj- few S. 

 Asiatic species. 



1. A. sinensis. Champ, in Kew Journ. Bot. iv. 334. A strao-frlino-^ 

 prostrate, or somewhat climbing glabrous shrub. Leaves opposite or in whorls 

 of three, oval or obovate, obtuse, rarely more than 1 in. long, coriaceous, 

 smooth and shining, with a thick recurved edge, on short petioles. Flowers 

 in small sessile panicles or clusters, either terminal or in the forks of the upper 

 branches. Sepals little more than \ line long. Corolla-tube rather more than 

 1 line, cylindrical or slightly contracted at the top ; the lobes small, ovate, 

 spreading. Berries ovoid, about \ in. long. 



On rocky hills, in ravines and woods, very common, Champion; not common, Wilfurd ; 

 also Wright. Not known out of the island. 



4. CERBERA, Linn. 



Calyx without glands. Corolla-tube cylindrical. The lobes ovate, spread- 

 ing, without scales at the throat. Anthers linear-lanceolate, included in the 

 tube. Ovary of 2 distinct carpels, united by a single style, with a conical 

 2-lobed stigma. Ovules 2 in each carpel. Fruit a nearly globular drupe, 

 flattened on one side, with a wood}' endocarp, usually one-seeded. — Shrubs or 

 small trees. Leaves alternate, crowded on the young branches. Flowers 

 white, in terminal cymes or panicles. 



A genus of very few species, from the Pacific Islands and tropical Asia. 



1. C: OdoUam, Gartn.; A. DC. Prod. viii. 353 ; Wight, Ic. t. U\. A 

 glabrous erect shrub, with thick herbaceous branches. Leaves oblong or lan- 

 ceolate, acuminate, 4 to 6 in. long, narrowed into a rather long petiole ; the 

 lateral veins transverse. Flowers white, sweet-scented, in a dense terminal 

 pedunculate cyme. Sepals oblong or lanceolate, obtuse or acute, about \ in. 

 long. Corolla-tube 1 in. long ; the lobes about half as long, ol)ovate-oblong. 



On low grounds, chiefly near the sea, Champion, at Aberdeen and Litflc Hongkong, 

 Wilford. Widely distributed over the maritime districts of India, the Archipelago, and the 

 Pacific islands. * 



5. VINCA, Linn. 

 Calyx without glands inside, but tlic sepals sometimes glaudular-ciliate on 

 the edge. Corolla-tube slender, the lobes ovate or oblong, oblique, spreading, 



