1904.] D. Prain — Notes on the Unxburghiacese, 43 



before him when writing his description are in Herb, Calcattft now, bat there is a note 

 in Kurz's handwriting that indicates the removal of two of these snbsequent to the 

 preparation of his description. There is nothing to show that Knrz had the 

 advantage of studying an original Griffithian specimen ; and while most of the 

 specimens named QrifHthiana by Kurz himself belong to the plant that does accord 

 exactly with the description drawn up by Griffith, one of Kurz's specimens appear^ 

 to the writer to belong to the specie i next to be df 'cribed. In any case the account 

 that Kurz gives of the colour of the flower seems to suggest that Kurz must have 

 seen, ia the field, plants of both species. Though the two plants are very closely 

 allied the writer is satisfied, after a careful examination of the two in the living 

 state, and while flowering side by side, that they are distinct, and that the distinction 

 is too marked to admit of their being deemed merely two varieties of one species. 

 Both plants, it may be noted, begin to flower before the leaves are fully developed* 

 but flowering does not cease, in either case, till some time after the leaves have 

 attained their full size. 



The diagnosis between the two plants is as follows :— 



Internodes less than "5 in, long j perianth-segments 1 in. 



long or rather longer, linear-lanceolate, white with a 



greenish tinge externally and a pinkish tinge within j fleshy 



keel of filaments purple ... ... ... Griffithiana, 



Internodes more than 1 in. long, perianth-segments 'S-'Q 

 in. long, ovate-lanceolate, greenish-red externally, dull 

 red within J fleshy keel of filaments cobalt-blue ... JBurJ Ulii, 



10. Stemona Burkillii Frain. 



Burma : Shan Hills ; Abdul Huq ! Katha ; BurJcill ! 



Bootstock stout, hypogaeous. Leaves ovate, acute, slightly cordate. 

 3-4 in. long, 2*5-3 in. wide, l3-15-nerved ; petioles 4-6 in. long, alternate, 

 Stems slender, erect, 6-18 in. high ; internodes 1 in. or more long. Flowers 

 greenish-red externally, dull-red within, bracts '5 in. long, lanceolate; 

 pedicels 1*5 in. long, strict ; perianth-segments '6-'6 in. long, ovate-lan- 

 ceolate, acute. Stamens 4, filaments broad, dull-red, with sometimes 

 one, sometimes 2 linear fleshy cobalt-blue keels on inner face j anthers 

 yellow. Fruit not seen. 



Though so nearly related to the foregoing species this plant differs in too many 

 characters to be satisfactorily dealt with ag a mere variety of 8. Griiffithiana. The 

 roots, which were brought to Mr. Burkill's notice during a recent tour in Burma, 

 in connection with the enquiry for species of Dioscorea, are known as Tham-yan' 

 nyet. They are not eaten but are used as an inseoticide. 



2. STICHONEURON Hook. p. 



Stichoneuron membranaceum Hook. f. Flor. Brit. Ind. vi. 299 (1892), 



Add to localities of F.B.I.:— 



Malay Peninsula.,: Perak ; Scortechini ! 



