Chap. XXII. FLORA. 361 



pulchra, with hairy leaves and snow-white flowers ; the Ilex 

 Wightiana, a large uni})rageoiis tree, with small white flowers 

 and red berries ; the pretty piak-flowered Rhodo-myrtus tomen- 

 tosa, the hemes of which are called " hill gooseberries ;" the 

 Jasminum revolutum, a shrub with sweet yellow flowers ; the 

 Sapota elingoides, a line forest-tree, \dih. rough cracked bark, 

 and an edible fruit used in curries ; Crotalarice ; Bignonice ; 

 peppers, cinnamon, a number of chinehonaceous shi-ubs, and 

 many others. 



In the open grassy slopes and near the edges of the wooded 

 ravines are several Vaccinia, especially the Vaccinium Lesche- 

 naultii, a shrub with jDretty rose-coloured flowers ; the beauti- 

 ful Osbeckia Grardneriana, with a profusion of large purple 

 flowers : the handsome Viburnum Wightianum ; a number of 

 balsams [Impatiens of several species) ; the Gaultheria Lesche- 

 naultii in great quantities, a pretty little shrub with white 

 flowers and blue berries ; the Berheris Mahonia, with its 

 glossy prickly leaves and long slender racemes of yellow 

 flowers ; and the bright little pink Indigofera pulchella ; while 

 the climbing passion-flower (Passijlora Leschenaultii) hangs 

 in festoons over the trees, especially in the eastern parts of the 

 hills. Among the more inconspicuous plants are the Gallium 

 requienianwn ; the Ruhia cordifolia;^ the thorny Solatium 

 ferox, with stem and leaves covered with strong straight 

 prickles ; the Girardinia Leschenaultii,^ or Neilgherry nettle, 

 a most virulent stinger; the tedl Lobelia excelsa ; a, Justitia, 

 with a blue flower, which entirely covers some of the hills ; 

 some pretty Sonerilas ; several beautiful Ipomceas and lilies ; 



" Dr. Wight says that tliis plant | its vinilentlj-stinging properties, and 

 might he collected in vast quantities j then peeling the stalks. The textile 

 with little trouhle or expense, and ! material thus obtained is of great deli- 

 yiekls an excellent red dye. I oacy and sti-ength. — Wights Spicele- 



5 This nettle is freqiient all over i gittm Neilgherense. The tibre of the 

 the higher ranges of the Neilghemes. \ Neilgherry nettle is wortli 200Z. a ton 

 The bark yieltis a fine strong fibre, j in England, and its cultivation is likely 

 which the natives obhun by fii-st boil- ! to be a remunerative speculation, 

 iiig the whole plant, to deprive it of 



