

leaf -scars are V shaped. The flowers are borne at the 

 end of the branches which are curved over as hooks, 

 they have three broadly ovate sepals, and six long 

 petals, the three outer ones alternating with the sepals, 

 and three inner alternating again with the outer (and so 

 opposite to the sepals). The base of each outer petal 

 is curved, expanded and concave, while above the petal 

 is extended as an oblong blade. The stamens are 

 numerous, closely packed and each has a very short fila- 

 ment. The anther is wedge-shaped (cuneate), broader 

 above and covered by the extension of the connective. 

 The carpels are many, free, with short styles protruding 

 in the centre of the mass of stamens. In fruit each 

 carpel becomes fleshy and contains one seed, which 

 if cut open shows peculiar lines extending on from 

 the seed-coat into the endosperm, i.e. is ruminate 

 (p. 254). 



POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA, Benth., a tall tree whose 

 foliage is that usually employed in South India for 

 decorative purposes on special occasions. Branches 

 round and thin, with numerous small lenticels. Leaves 

 alternate in two ranks, to right and left, and all 

 facing upwards (bifarious). Petiole 1 inch blade lanceo- 

 late, entire, waved at the edges, membranous, with 

 numerous minute glands easily seen as clear dots, when 

 a young leaf is examined against the light through a 

 magnifying glass. It is the oil in these glands which 

 gives to the leaves their peculiar smell when crushed. 

 Flowers yellowish green in colour. Sepals three. 

 Petals six inner and three outer, narrow. Stamens 

 very numerous, tightly packed in spiral lines on the 

 very convex thalamus. Filament very short, connective 



