90 JO UBNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X. 



produce barren flowers only." I am not quite sure of this, so far as 

 my observation goes with regard to plants growing in the Thana dis- 

 trict. I am quite aware cf the fact, however, that some of the branches 

 of the panicles may have both barren and hermaphrodite flowers, and 

 yet bear no fruit, although their richest blossom may apparently hold 

 forth the hope of a mature fruit and seed. 



Panicles. — " Corymbose, branched and spreading " (Wight and 

 Arnott)* ; six to ten inches long ; pubescent. The branches of the 

 panicles are long and naked to the tips when the flowers are collected 

 (Hooker). 



Beacts, — Leafy, numerous, lanceolate, hoary. Hookerj says that 

 they are " gibbous.'" This does not appear to be the case on this side 

 of India. (K.R.K.) 



Bkacteoles. — Present at the base of pedicels ; '''broadly ovate," say 

 Wight and Arnott (op. cit.), generally lanceolate ; acuminate. 



FLOWERS. — Small ; pentamerous ; polygamous, i.e., a flower-stalk 

 may bear both male or barren, and hermaphrodite flowers. The 

 diameter of the flowers is generally about ^ inch. Their colour is 

 pale yellow with^pink longitudinal stripes, often of a deep crimson 

 colour on this side of India. 



The odour of the flowers is strikingly penetrating even from a dis- 

 tance, and partakes of the characteristic mixed odour of cloves and 

 cinnamon. There is no tree or shrub on this side of India which is so 

 easily recognizable from its mere odour as this plant. Given this odour, 

 there is sure to be a Cashew-nut plant in flower close by. Such has 

 been my experience each time I have been in the close vicinity of a 

 Cashew-nut plant in flower. The odour is quite unmistakable. Some 

 say the odour is disagreeable, but opinions differ. 

 iEsTiVATiON.— Of Calyx and Corolla, imbricate. 

 CALYX. — Inferior, cleft nearly to the base. 



Sepals — Erect ; deciduous ; " Oblong, conic, acute and pretty 

 smooth" (Sir William O'Shaughnessy). § The base of sepals accres- 

 cent, forming an erect disk. 



* Prodromns Flor. Ind., vol i., page 168, 

 t Flora of British India, vol. ii,page 8. 

 § Bengal Dit;pensatory, page 280, edition 1841. 



