. Roots very long, fusiform. Stems her- 
baceous, numerous, jointed, round, smooth, 
red, rooting at every joint. Leaves oppo- 
site, nearly sessile, very fleshy, varying 
om orbicular to oblong-spathulate, or 
lanceolato - spathulate, and sometimes, 
though rarely, they are almost cylindrical : 
this last form is only observed when very 
luxuriant, and perhaps belongs to a differ- 
ent species: their usual size is about eight 
lines long, and four broad near the apex. 
The short petioles unite across the stem, 
and form a sheath round the joints. Flow- 
ers axillary, pedicelled, purplish externally, 
rosy within. Calyz, before expansion, 
conical, five-parted, the divisions imbricate 
and membranous on the edges, mucronate. 
Corolla none. Stamens numerous, attached 
to the edge of the tube of the calyx. Fi- 
laments and two-celled compressed anthers 
red. Pistel,—Germen three-celled, supe- 
rior: Styles three, length of the stamens: 
Stigmas simple. Capsule three-celled, 
bursting all round: Receptacle central. 
Seeds numerous, obovato-orbicular, black. 
Common in Tranquebar. 
The specimens here figured grew in sand 
near the sea-beach, where it forms large 
tufts. All that is found there is very uni- 
form in appearance, and is well represented 
in our drawing. 
: There is a very distinct variety, perhaps 
a Species, seen on the turfy banks of salt 
water inlets, which attains a much greater 
Size ; the leaves being longer and narrower, 
_ the stems thicker and creeping to the ex- 
tent of several feet ; but, like this, rooting 
at the joints, and with pedicelled flowers, 
The kind here figured being often buried 
under the loose sand, all except the tips of 
the leaves, in a short time, becomes blanch- 
ed and tender. In this state it is much 
prized by swine! They seek after it 
so greedily that it is often difficult to pro- 
cure a good specimen. I have never heard 
that man has shown a similar partiality 
toit. I have tasted it, and think it rather 
pleasant, except that it is too saline. 
Fig. 1. Flower laid open. 2. Calycine leaf. 3, 
Pistil. 4. Capsule laid open. 5. Base of an old 
e 
X Due surrounded by the persistent calyx :—magni- 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
We have the pleasure of announci 
that the second Fasciculus of the 
M. J. Berkeley's specimens of Brit 
Fungi is published, containing the follo 
ing species :— 
96. 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
zw 
Agaricus piperatus, Scop. 
Ag. Rotula, Scop. —— 
Thelephora cinerea, Pers. (Fraxini. 
Thelephora cinerea, Pers. (Tilig.) — 
Thelephora acerina, Pers. j 
Typhula gyrans, Batsch. 
Peziza fusarioides, BerKl. 
Peziza atrata, Pers. 
(On Spirea Ulmaria.) 
Ascobolus Trifolii, Bernh. 
Stictis radiata, Pers. 
Exidia glandulosa, Fr. 
Sclerotium complanatum, Tode. __ 
Sclerotium Semen, Tode. (Brassicæ.) - 
Sclerotium durum, Pers. 
Sclerotium medullare, Berk. 
Sph. carpophila, Pers. (junior.) 
Sph. favacea, Fr. 
Sph. velata, Pers. 
Spheria stellulata, Fr. 
Sph. ambiens, Pers. 
Sph. hypodermia, Fr. 
Sph. arundinacea, Sow. 
Sph. sanguinea, With. 
var. cicatricum, Berk. 
Sph. Corticis, Sow. (Fraxini.) 
Sph. pruinosa, Fr. 
Sph. atrovirens, A. and S., y R 
Fr. 
Sph. Arundinis, Fr. 
Sph. Angelice, Berk. 
Ceuthospora Lauri, Grev. 
Phoma Heder, Desm. 
Dothidea ribesia, Fr. 
Dothidea typhina, Fr. 
Phacidium dentatum, Schmidt. — . 
Hysterium arundinaceum, Schrad. 
Hysterium foliicolum, Fr., E 
y maculare, Berk. 
Erysiphe pannosa, Schlecht. 
