DIOSPYEOS CALYCINA. (Nat, order Ebenaeese.) 



DlOSPYROS CALYCINA. (Bedd.) A good sized tree, every where glabrous, leaves dark shining green narrow lan- 

 ceolate attenuated at the base, tapering at the apex into a very blunt point about 3-3J inches long by a little less than 1 inch 

 broad, petioles about J inch long, male cymes about half the length of the leaves 3-9 flowered, calyx small 4 toothed, corol urceolate 

 very gibbous at the base 4 lobed at the apex, bright yellow in color, stamens 6 or 8 each with 2 anthers of equal length placed on 

 the disk surrounding the large rudimentary ovary, apex of the anthers inflexed and meeting over the sterile ovary which latter is 5 

 lobed and terminates in a long acumination, filaments slightly hairy ; female flowers solitary on long peduncles nearly half the length 

 of the leaves, calyx of 4 rarely only 3, large cordate imbricate nerved segments which enlarge with the fruit, corol urceolate gibbous 

 tube nearly globose, 4 rarely only 3 cleft at the apex, divisions reflexed, staminodia none.^ovary 4-celled, stigmas 4 or 3 sessile, fruit 

 globose, covered with hairlike scales. Bedd. Annual Report of the Conservator of Forests, Madras Presidency, for 1867-68, t. 1 and 2. 



This very curious species of Diospyros has only been observed in the Tinnevelly district and southern portions of Madura, where, how- 

 ever, it is very abundant in the ghat forests from, the foot up to 3000 feet elevation; it is called Vellay Toveray, and yields a valuable light colored 

 wood, which is much invse in the Tinnevelly district. 



The plate gives a flowering branch of both male and female trees, and dissections of She flowers of both sexes and young fruit. 



68 



