Aconitum.] ploba indica. 55 



and luridum are all extensively used as Bikh, and are indiscriminately called by that 

 name througliout the Himalaya. We have not detected any characters by which 

 the dried roots of these species can be specifically recognized, nor do we believe that 

 any such exist. Their form and size seem to depend on local circumstances, and 

 their colour on the mode of drying. With regard to native information, upon 

 which so much stress is laid, our experience has proved it to be utterly worthless so 

 far as regards the discrimination of the species of Aconite ; even the most intelligent 

 hill-men have no exact knowledge on the subject. 



1. A. Lycoctonuni (L. Sp. 753); foliis palmatis, ranemis laxis 

 paniculatis, floribus violaceis vel oohroleucis, casside conica vel cylin- 

 draoea, petalorum ungue recto filiformi, calcare elongate oylindrico un- 

 cinate vel contorto, foUioulis 3 divaricatis, seminibus transversim pli- 

 cato-rugosis. — DC. Prod. i. 57 ; Ledeb. Fl. Ross. i. 66. A. teve, 

 RoyU! III. 56. 



Hab. In Himalaya oecidentali temperata, alt. 7-10,000 ped. : Kash- 

 mir ! Chamba ! Kanawer ! Kumaon ! — (M. Aug. Sept.) (v. v.) 



T)iSTEiB. Europa! (excl. Britannia) ; Asia temperata ! 



Berba clata, foliosa, ssepius glabra, sed interdum pubescens vel etiam tomentosa, 

 paniculatim ramosa. Folia diam. 6-10-poll., rotundato-reniformia, ultra medium pal- 

 matim 7-9-fida, lobis cuneato-ovatis trUobis et argute incisis; superiora sessiha, 

 5-3-partita, segmentis oblongis grosse incisis vel indivisis. Rademi elongati, axiUares, 

 laterales et terminales, puberuli vel tomentosi ; bracteis lineari-lanceolatis minutis. 

 Flores flavidi, ochroleuci vel paUide violacei, magnitudine valde varii, puberuli. Cassis 

 dorso cylindracea vel subconica, antice in rostrum breve porrecta. Petala longe uu- 

 guiculata, ungue filiformi erecto, apice in saccum dUatato, calcare cylindrico recurvo 

 uncinate vel subcontorto apice obtuso, labeUo oblongo emarginato. Ovaria 3, gla- 

 bra vel pubescentia. Follictili ^— |-poll. 



A well marked and vridely diffused species, varying much in the size and shape of 

 the helmet, and in the degree of curvature of the spur of the petals, which is either 

 at once abruptly reflexed and convolute, or straight with a recurved tip. The latter 

 shape is that assigned by authors to A, orientale. Miller, or A. ochroleucum, Willd., 

 while the former is ascribed to the true A. Lt/coctonum. In both, we find the shape 

 of the spur very variable, as also in the Indian plant, which is identical in general 

 appearance with the northern forms of A. Lycoctotmm, except that it is usually 

 somewhat smaller-flowered. 



2. A. luridum (H.f. et T.) ; foliis palmatim 5-fidis, racemo laxius- 

 culo simplioi, floribus sordide rubicundis, casside postice gibbosa hemi- 

 sphEcrica antice late et obtuse rostrata, petalorum ungue erecto brevi 

 lato, cucuUo horizontali maximo, calcare brevi lato obtusissimo, folli- 

 culis 3-5 erectis, seminibus triquetris leevibus. 



Hab. In Sikkim interiori, alt. 14,000 ped,! (ad Tankra et Chela). — 

 (Fl. Aug.) {v. V.) 



Radix fusifonnis. Caulis erectus, 2-3-pedalis, paucifoliatus, puberulus. Folia ra- 

 dicalia longe petiolata, pet. fere pedalibus, utrinque adpresse puberula, ultra medium 

 5-fida, lobis cuneato-ovatis grosse crenato-dentatis ; caulina 5-3-partita, argute in- 

 ciso-dentata ; floralia bracteEeformia, tridentata, lanceolata vel linearia, Bacemus 

 simplex, ^I-pedalis. Pedicelli bracteis et floribus plerumque breviores, inferiores 

 interdum remoti, elongati, 2-3-bracteolati. Sepala fulvo-tomentosa. Cassis long. 

 ■S- poll., gibbere \ poU. alto fere hemisphEerico. Petala ungue erecto | poll, lato ca- 

 naliculate, labeUo apicem versus porrecto, emarginato. Ovaria glabra vel pilosa. 



This species is very distinct from any hitherto described in the form of the hel- 



