252 FLORA INDICA. \_Fapaveracea. 



less thickened testa, which sometimes expands into a crest. In both genera the pla- 

 centee are described as tiliform and not projecting far into the cavity of the ovary ; 

 but in M. Nepalensis and others these almost meet in the axis, forming spurious dis- 

 sepiments. The hairs or setse of the stem are simple, or branched and seabrid. The 

 stamens are described as extrorse by Endlicher in Stylophorum, and lateral in Meco- 

 nojisis. Gray says that those of the foi-mer genus are slightly extrorse; in all our 

 species they are as nearly lateral as possible. The capsule is three-valved to the base 

 in the American S. diphyllum, Nutt., according to Gray, incompletely so according 

 to Endlicher, whereas in all the Himalayan species the valves are free only at the 

 upijer part of the capsule (as in Papaver), and are quite confluent below. 

 The roots of some of the Himalayan species are said to be virulent poisons. 



§ 1. Bcapigeri. 



1. M. simplicifolia (H.f. et T.); patentim hispido-pilosa, setis 

 scapi decurvis, foliis omnibus radicalibiis lanceolatis, scapo siibsolitario 

 1-floro, capsula lineari-clavata. — Papaver simplicifoliiim, Don, Frodr. 

 196; JFall. Cat. 8125! 



Hab. In Himalaya alpina centrali et orientali : Nepal ad Gossain- 

 thaii, TFallieh! Sikkim, alt. 12-14,000 ped.!— (Fl. Mai. Jun.) [v. v.) 



Radix crassa, fusiformis, collo pilis fulvis dense barbato. Folia 2-6 uuc. longa, 

 iu petiolum laminje ffiquilongnm angnstata, acuta v. obtnsa, integerrinia v. rarissime 

 iitrinque 1-2-dcntata, pilosa v. glabrata. Scapi 1-3, robusti, pedales, fructiferi 2- 

 pedales, pilis patentibus decurvisque hispidi, juniores bispido-tomentosi. Flos cer- 

 nuus, 2-3 unc. diara., pulcherrimus, purpureo-Cferuleus. Sepala hispidissima, pilis 

 patulls. Peiala late obovato-rotundata v. cuneata. Stamina filamentis lincari- 

 subulatis ; aritheris liueari-oblongis. Ovarium cylindricum ; stylo crasso ; stigmate 

 subgloboso, 5-7-lobo; lineis stigmaticis crassis, papilloso-tomentosis. Capsula X-i- 

 poUicaris, lineari-clavata, patentim hispido-pilosa v. glabrata, stylo i-pollicari ; pla- 

 centis 5-8. Seniiita testa cellulosa, profunde cancellata. 



One of the most beautiful and conspicuous plants in the alpine regions of Sikkim. 

 Don describes the anthers as spirally twisted, and the capsules as oblong, which is 

 hardly the case in our specimens. 



2. M. horridula (H.f. et T.) ; foliis lanceolatis scapisque setis 

 validis elongatis aculeatis, scapis plurimis unifloris, capsulis obovato- 

 clavatis. 



Hab. In Himalaya orientali alpina : Sikkim, locis petrosis, alt. 

 14,000-17,000 ped.— (PI. Jun. Jul.) {v. v.) 



Spithamaja, ubique setis rigidis 'patentibus pungentibus ^-f unc. longis horrida. 

 Folia 3-5-pollicaria, lanceolata, obtusa v. acuta, intcgerrima v. sinuato-deutata. 

 Scapi 8-12, rigiili, iuterdnm basi coaliti, 4-8 unc. lougi, virides v. glaucl. Flores 

 j)urpurei v. CKruleo-purpurascentes, 1-^ poll. lati. Sepala setis aculeata. Fetala 

 4, late obovata, floribus monstrosis plurima linearia. Stamina perplurima, antberis 

 subtortis. Stylus crassus. Capsula \-\ poll, longa, setis patentibus ascendentibusve 

 aculeata, lineari-obovata v. elliptico-oblonga, rarius late ovata, stylo i unc. longo, 

 stigmateque coiiico tei'minata. Seminu i minora quam in prsecedente, curva ; testa 

 snbinembranacca, reticulata, cancellata. 



A very remarkable and distinct-looking little species, the smallest and most alpine 

 of the genus, so aculeate that it cannot be conveniently gathered with the naked 

 hand. It differs in size, the great aculei on all its parts, the number of scapes, form 

 of petals aud capsules, and seeds, from Hf. simplicifoHa. On the other hand, though 

 so very dissimilar fi'om J/, acnleaia iu size and habit, we shoidd not be surprised Eit 

 its proving a varic1\ of that plant. 



