C 9 ) 



M MALACHRA, Monadelphia Polyandria. 



23. M RoTUNDiFOLiA. — An annual, with orbicular leaves and 

 small yellow flowers. A native of Brazil ; introduced by the late 

 Mr. Nimmo. It seems now to have over-run the cultivated portions 

 of the Island of Bombay. 



XIII.— BOMBACEiE, DC. Prod. I, p 475. 



HELICTERES, Monadelphia Decandria. From helix, a screw. 



1. H HiRSUTA, Don's syst. ],p 507. — A shrub, with oblong 

 lanceolate serrate leaves ; Parell Garden (?) ; has disappeared from 

 Dapoorie. The fruit is straight, and covered with a thick coat of 

 soft thistles. 



2. H Purpurea. — This also has disappeared from Dapoorie ; 

 it was originally introduced from Bengal. Information is solicited 

 as to whether it is now found in any garden of Western India. 



ADANSONIA, Monadelphia Polyandria. Named from ^c?anson, 

 a French botanist. 



Z. A DiGiTATA, W. and A. 226 ; Roxb. Fl 3, p 164 ; Bot. Mag. 

 t. 2791 and 2792.—" Gonik Chentz," Maratha; " Goruk Amla," 

 Hindoostanee ; IVI onkey-bread tree. Native of Africa, and from 

 thence introduced by the Arabian traders ; is now found at many 

 places on our western coast, and at inland stations erst the seats of 

 the Mussulman power, such as Baroda, Beejapore, Joonere, &c. 



The quaint appearance of the tree, with its immense stem, will 

 always render it a curious object to an European inquirer. 



From Dr. Livingston's researches, it appears that the Adansonia 

 is the Village-Tree, or Place of Assembly, in all the villages of the 

 highlands of Eastern Africa; flowers in May and June. The large 

 pendulous fruit is used as a float for fishing-nets on our western 

 coast. The virtues of the subacid pulp of the fruit do not appear 

 to be known to the natives of India. The bark affords cordage, 

 and is also used as a febrifuge {vide DuChassaigne in Pharm. 

 Jour, for 1845). The light, porous wood is often used as a float to 

 support the fisherman in tanks. 



BOMBAX, Monadelphia Polyandra. From bomhax, Greek 

 name for cotton or silk. 



4. B Heterophyllum. — Seed from Calcutta. We insert this as 

 a species of doubtful authenticity. It hi\s not yet reached any size, 

 but is left for future inquiry. Botanical gardens at Hewra and 

 Dapoorie. 

 2« 



