42G APPENDIX. No. V. 



One of tliese is Banisteria Leona, first described, from Smeathman's speci- 

 mens, by Cavanilles,* who has added the fruit of a very different plant to his 

 fi<nire, and quotes the lierbarium of M. de Jussieu as authority for this species 

 being hkewise a native of America, which is, I heheve, equally a mistake. 



The two remaining plants of Malpighiacese, in the collection, with some 

 additional species from different parts of the coast, form a new genus, having 

 the fruit of Banisteria, but with sufficient distinguishing characters in the 

 parts of the flower, and remarkable in having alteraate leaves. From this 

 disposition of leaves, in which the genus here noticed differs from all others 

 decidedly belonging to the order, an additional argument is afforded, for 

 referring Vifmannia to Malpighiacea?, as proposed by M. du Petit Thouars ;t 

 and the approxuuation, though perhaps not the absolute union of Erythroxylon 

 to the same family is confirmed. 



It may not be improper here to notice a very remarkable deviation from the 

 usual structure of leaves in Malpighiacese, which is supposed to occur in a 

 plant of equinoctial Africa, namely FlabeUaria pinnata of Cavanilles (the 

 Hirmaptnnata of Willdenow.) It is certain, however, that the figure given by 

 Cavanilles of this species is made up from two very different genera ; the pin- 

 nated leaf belonging to an unpublished Pterocarpus ; the fructification to a 

 species of Hirasa, having simple opposite leaves. The evidence respecting 

 this blunder, which was detected by Mr. Dryander, is to be found in the 

 herbarium of Sir Joseph Banks. 



In Malpighiaceae tlie insertion of the ovulum is towiu-ds its apex, or consi- 

 derably above its middle ; and the radicle of the embryo is uniformly superior. 

 In these points Banisteria presents no exception to the general structure, 

 though Gaertner has described its radicle as inferior, and M. de Jussieu does 

 not appear to have satisfied himself respecting the fact.; It appeai-s, how- 

 ever, that M. Richard is aware of the constancy in tlie direction of the embryo 

 in this order.§ 



HIPPOCRATICE.-E. M. de Jussieu has lately proposed this as a distinct 

 family, 1 1 of which there are two plants in the collection. The first is a species 

 of Hippocratea ; the second is referable to Salacia. 



* DUserl. 424, t. 247. + In Nov. gefi. Madagase. n. 46, (Biporcia.) 



$ Annul, du Mus. d'Ifisf. Nat. 18, p. 480. ^ Mem. du Mus. d'Hisl. Nat. 2, p. 400. 

 U Annal. du Mus. d'Hisl. Nat 18, p. 183. 



