328 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 



the disc) eight, four alternate with, four opposite to 

 the petals. Filaments doubled down in bud, and still 

 kneed after the flower has opened. Connective con- 

 spicuous and extending back from the anther as a 

 horn-shaped body, the whole like the petals of a 

 bright blue colour. Anthers opening by two slits. 

 Ovary beneath the disc, one-celled with one style and 

 capitate stigma. Fruit a one-seeded berry. 



CHARACTERS OF THE MELASTOMACE^ 



This is a good example of the family MELASTOMA- 

 CE^E, which is akin to the MYRTACE^E, but differs in 

 some respects. It is a very large family with its 

 centre in South America, but in India is practically 

 (i.e. except for MEMECYLON) confined to the hills, 

 where at elevations of 5,000 ft. and more, the dif- 

 ferent species of * OSBECKIA (e.g. O. LESCHENAUL- 

 TIANA, D.C. with its large purple flowers) form a con- 

 spicuous feature of the vegetation. The flowers are, 

 like those of the MYRTACE^B, regular and have a 

 deep calyx-tube enclosing the inferior ovary> with 

 four or five sepals, the same number of petals, and 

 of cells in the ovary, but of stamens double the 

 number. The petals spring from the edge of the 

 calyx -tube, with distinct claws and are contorted in 

 bud. The anthers are very large curved and open by 

 two pores at the top. At the bottom the connective 

 is continued backwards as a spur, the most charac- 

 teristic and peculiar feature of the family. The venation 

 of leaves is also characteristic, 3 to 5 main veins start 

 from the base and curving so as to meet again near 

 the open, are joined by numerous cross veins. 



