Maba.] LXXVI. EBENaCE^. 965 



2 lines long. Stamens in the males few, in the females none in the flowers 

 examined. Ovary 3-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell, without any spurious 

 dissepiment between them. Berries ovoid or globose and sometimes much under 

 Jin. long, in a closely appressed cup-shaped calyx. — A. DC. Prod. viii. 242 ; 

 M. obovata, R. Br. Prod. 527 ; A. DC. Prod. viii. 241. 



Hab.: Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown ; Sweers Island, Henne ; Broadsound, R. 

 Brown; Dawson, Burnett, and Gilbert Elvers, F. v. Mueller; Burdekin Elver, Fitzalan; 

 Eockhampton, DaZiacfty, O'SMnesi/ ; Nerkool Creek, Bowman; main range near Toowoomba, 

 and many otber localities. 



The fruits of all the species of this genus are eaten by the natives. 



Wood, the outer part light, the centre nearly black ; hard and very tough ; a useful cabinet- 

 wood. — Bailey's Cat. Ql. Wpods No. 269a. 



2. DIOSPYROS, Linn. 



(Divine fruit — fruit of Jove.) 



Calyx-lobes usually 4, sometimes 5 or 6. Corolla-lobes as many. Ovary with 

 an equal number or twice as many cells as calyx and corolla-lobes, with 1 or 2 

 ovules in each cell, 2 ovules to each carpel sometimes separated by spurious but 

 complete dissepiments. Styles usually 4, more nr less, connate at the base and 

 bifid at the summit. Fruit globular or ovoid. — Trees or shrubs, with the habit 

 and inflorescence of the Order. 

 Leaves glabrous. 



Fruit more or less hairy 1. D. hebecarpa. 



Leaves 4 to 6in. long or more, obtuse. Fruit nearly lin. diameter . . . 2. D. maritiina. 



Leaves slightly hairy underneath, 3 to 4in. long 3. Dmabacea. 



Leaves glabrous. 



Leaves under 3in. long 4. D. australis. 



Leaves under 2in. long. Flowers mostly 5-merous 5. D. pentaviera. 



1. D. hebecarpa (fruit hairy), A. Cunn.; Benth. Fl. Aitstr. iv. 286. 

 " Ko-lin," Cooktown, Roth. A tree of 25ft., the adult foliage and branches quite 

 glabrous. Leaves from broadly ovate to oval-oblong, very obtuse or shortly and 

 obtusely acuminate, reticulate, not very coriaceous, shortly contracted into a 

 short petiole, 2 to Sin. long. Flowers not seen. Fruit on a very short pedicel, 

 the calyx forming a thick flat disk of Jin. diameter, with sharp edges, and 4 

 short broad reflexed lobes. Berry f to lin. diameter, covered with short hairs 

 which sometimes wear off at the base. Seeds 8, in pairs, but with perfect 

 dissepiments between them, compressed ; albumen cartilaginous ; embryo about 

 two-thirds the length of the seed ; cotyledons flat, nearly as long as the radicle. 



Hab.: Cape York, TV. Hill; N.E. coast, A. Cunningham ; common on our tropical coast. 

 Fruit used for poisoning the water for catching fish. Both. 



2. S. maritima (seaside), Blume, Bijdr. 669; A. DC. Prod.^-vin. iSl. A 

 handsome tree attaining 50ft. (W. Hill), glabrous except the flowers. Leaves 

 petiolate, from oval-oblong to oblong-elliptical, usually broad, obtuse, coriaceous, 

 shining above, opaque underneath, 4 to Sin. long or even more, almost always 

 drying black. ' Flowers sessile, the males clustered. Calyx pubescent, 4-lobed, 

 about IJ line long. Corolla about twice as long as the calyx, silky-pubescent, 

 4-lobed. Stamens 16 to 18. Female flowers not seen. Fruiting calyx broadly 

 cup-shaped or opening flat, closely appressed to the fruit. Berry globular, 

 attaining nearly lin. diameter. Seeds compressed, with a brown shining testa. 

 Radicle longer than the ovate cotyledons. Albumen cartilaginous. — A. DC. 

 Prod. viii. 243 ; Cargillia laxa, R. Br.; Benth. Fl. Austr. iv. 287 ; C. maritima, 

 Hassk. ; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. ii. 1049 ; 0. ■mega,locarpa, F. v. M. Fragm. v. 

 163 ; Maba rmgalocarpa, F. v. M. Fragm. v. 163. 



Hab.: Cape York, W. Hill. 



The species is also on the coast of Timor, South Java, and Samoa Islands. Until the female 

 flowers shall have been examined, it is not certain whether this may not be a, species of 

 Diospyras, but there does not appear to have been any septum between the 2 ovules of each 

 carpel. — Benth. 



