268 MR HIERN, ON EBENACE^. 



166. DIOSPYROS BERNIERI, sp. nov. 



D. foliis alternis, ovali-lanceolatis, apice subacuminatis, basi angustatis, coriaceis, glabris, 

 breviter petiolatis, nervis inconspicuis ; fructibus solitariis, appresse hirsutis, breviter pedun- 

 culatis; calyce fructifero utrinque pubescente, 4:-fido, tubo concavo, tetragono, incrassato, lobis 

 reftexis, undulatis, late ovatis. 



Glabrous except the inflorescence; branches pale, terete. Leaves alternate, dark above, 

 oval-lanceolate, somewhat narrowed at base, obtusely or sometimes acutely sub-acuminate at 

 apex, coriaceous, veins indistinct, reddish brown beneath ; midrib depressed above, blackish 

 beneath ; 2 3| in. long by f 1 in. wide ; petiole in. long, black in the dry state. 



Fruiting peduncles very thick, \ in. long and as thick, pubescent, solitary ; fruiting calyx 

 \ in. high by nearly 2 in. across, pubescent on both sides, 4-fid ; tube concave, 4-sided, 

 thickened; lobes reflexed, wavy, widely ovate. Fruit ferruginous, shortly and appressedly 

 hairy. 



Madagascar, common in the forests of Tintingue ; vernacular name Vbane Silac, Bernier ! 

 113. 



Foliage of D. Icevis, Bojer. 



167. DlOSPYROS PRIJINOSA, sp. nov. 



D. bracteis exceptis glaberrima, foliis alternis, ovato-ovalibus, utrinque obtusis, vix coriaceis, 

 brevissime petiolatis, nervis inconspicuis; floribus masculis axillaribus, brevissime cymosis ; 

 fructibus solitariis, axillaribus, 8-locularibus, breviter pedunculatis, bracteatis, subglobosis, cum 

 calyce 4 5-fido plicato patente aucto violaceo-pruinosis. 



Quite glabrous except the small shortly and slightly ciliated bracts ; branches pale brown, 

 terete. Leaves alternate, ovate-oval, more or less obtuse at both ends, submembranous or sub- 

 coriaceous, of a rich brown colour when dry, rather paler beneath, 1 2 in. long by | 1 in. 

 wide ; petioles -fa jV i n - ^ on S > ve i ns indistinct, spreading ; midrib flat above, darker beneath. 



<J. Cymes axillary, 3 8-flowered, in. long, dark. 



9 . Fruit solitary, axillary on the young branches, shortly globose, \ in. thick by in. 

 high, 8-eelled, several-seeded, as well as the calyx violaceo-pruinose ; peduncles dark | \ in. 

 long ; bracts several, ovate, about -fa in. long ; calyx plicate-patent, 1 in. in diameter, 4 5- 

 (usually 4-)fid, undulated; lobes widely ovate cordate, apiculate or mucronate at apex. 



Madagascar, Ste Marie, Soivin! 2538; Port Leven, Vesco ! 1850. 



168. DIOSPYROS CUNEIFOLU, Hb. Delessert. 



D. foliis alternis, obovatis, apice rotundatis, basi cuneatis, breviter hispidis, subsessilibus, 

 confertis; fructibus solitariis, subglobosis, pilis brevibus hispidis aspersis, pedunculatis; calyce 

 fructifero pubescente, 5( Qf)-partito, lobis oblongis, patentibus. 



