DESCRIPTION OF MALAYAN PLANTS. 
the Moluccas the spinous sort is consider- 
ed superior to this, but I am doubtful whe- 
ther it exists in Sumatra. For making the 
Sago, the tree must be cut before fructifi- 
cation commences, as it then becomes hard 
and dry. The process of making it has 
been so often described, that it is needless 
to repeat it here. 
STAGMARIA. 
PENTANDRIA ThiGYNIA. 
Calyx inferus, tubulosus, deciduus, ore 
irregulariter ruptus. Corolla pentapetala, 
petalis stipiti germinis insertis. Stamina 
quinque, petalis alterna, filamentis longitu- 
dine fere corolle ; antheris oblongis. Ova- 
rium trilobum, lobis monosporis, 1—2 
spe abortivis. Sty/i 1—3 ex apicibus 
loborum ovarii staminibus breviores. Stig- 
mata obtusa. Bacca reniformis, hinc sul- 
cata, cortice varicoso, monosperma. Semen 
exalbuminosum; embryone erecto, pseudo- 
monocotyledoneo, fissura laterali; radicula 
incurva. 
Arbor succo resinoso caustico scatens, 
folüs simplicibus exstipularibus, floribus 
paniculatis. 
This genus is nearly related to Rhus, 
but is distinguished by the following parti- 
culars. The petals and stamina are both 
inserted on the stipes of the ovary, which 
1$ not surrounded by a nectarial ring, as in 
Rhus, and is three-lobed when perfect. 
The styles are inserted on the lobes of the 
Ovary, and do not spring from one point. 
Their number depends on the number of 
perfect lobes of the germen, and it is most 
common to find only one. The calyx is 
tubular, deciduous, and bursts irregularly. 
The structure of the fruit is also different, 
the seed not being here contained in a nut, 
and having the embryo erect, not inverse, 
as in Rhus 
+ On all sees accounts, added to the dif- 
ference of habit, particularly in having 
simple leaves, I have little hesitation in 
Ripecering it as a distinct genus. 
| STAGMARIA oe W. J. 
vernicis. Rumph. Amb. I. p. 
267 
Native of the Eastern Islands; it does 
not appear to be abundant in Sumatra, but 
occurs occasionally in the neighbourhood 
of rivers, as at Nattal and Moco-Moco. 
This tree grows to a considerable size ; 
the branches and branchlets are smooth, 
round, and marked with small dots. Leaves 
alternate or scattered, petiolate, elliptico- 
lanceolate, about eight inches long, subat- 
tenuate to the base, rather acute, sometimes 
Obtuse, or even retuse at the point, very 
entire, very smooth, firm, and shining, with 
lucid nerves. Petioles about an inch long, 
flattened above; stipules none. Panicles 
axillary, on rather long peduncles, Flowers 
numerous, pedicellate, white, having rather 
a narcotic smell. Calyx tubular, decidu- 
ous, bursting into two or three irregular 
segments. Corolla much longer than the 
calyx, spreading, somewhat reflex, five- 
petaled; petals oblong, rather obtuse, 
adnate at the base to the column which 
supports the ovary. Stamina five, insert- 
ed on the same column above the petals, 
alternating with them, and nearly of the 
same length; filaments thread-shaped; an- 
thers short, oblong, two-celled; ovary on 
a pedicel or column, sometimes three- 
lobed, but more frequently there is only 
one distinct lobe, whose position on the 
pedicel is rendered oblique by the abortion 
of the other two; each lobe contains a 
single ovulum attached to the inner angle. 
Styles crowning the lobes of the ovary, 
from one to three, according to the number 
of perfect ovaries or lobes, shorter than 
the stamina. Stigmata obtuse. Berry as 
large as a fresh walnut, reniform or some- 
what spheroidal, but rather irregular in 
shape, eme furrowed on one side; the 
rind is rough and brownish, of a spongy 
texture, often exhibiting on the surface the 
appearance varicose veins, and when 
cut, exudes an acrid juice; it contains a 
single seed, similar in form to the fruit, 
and equally abounding with a corrosive 
gum or resin Embryo exalbuminous, 
erect. Cotyledons united, having a fissure 
on one side; Ew ue bane ol iu 
fruit, short, incurved upon the cotyledons 
at the lower part of the fissure. 
