

BUTTNERIACE^. ^93 



but entirely wingless: the inner integument crustaceous. Embryo 

 nearly straight. 



The specimens accord with those collected by Mr. Barclay at 

 Tanna, one of the habitats given by Forster. — This species and the 

 following plainly show that Visenia, Houtt. (the Glossospermum of 

 Wallich, and Aleurodendron of Reinwardt), cannot be generically dis- 

 tinguished from Melochia, and that even as a section it passes into 

 Riedleia. 



3. Melochia (Yisenia) aristata, Sp. Nov. 



M. capsulis hirsutissimis, coccis acuminato-aristatis ; seminibus subulato- 

 apiculatis; cost, fere prcecedentis. 



Hab. Upolu, one of the Navigators' or Samoan Islands. 



This may prove to be no more than a variety of the preceding 

 species, with which it nearly accords in foliage, &c. : but the very hir- 

 sute capsules are larger, and more conspicuously awned (the hirsute 

 awns about 2 lines long) ; and the seeds bear a conspicuous subulate 

 appendage at the apex, in place of the broad wing of the succeeding 

 species. The specimen is in fruit, with only the remains of the flower 

 at the base of the capsule. The filaments appear to be dilated and 

 membranaceous for their whole length. 



4. Melochia (Visenia) Vitiensis, Sp. Nov. 



M. foliis cordatis ovatis oblongisve glabris serratis ; cymis pedanculisque 

 tomentoso-'puberulis ; petalis flavis ; capsular tomentoso-sericew coccis 

 mucronatis; seminibus apice late alatis. 



Var. p. foliis subcoriaceis haud cordatis, superioribus basi acutis. 



Hab. Vanua-levu, Somu-somu, Ovolau, Oneata; and var./?. Muthu- 

 ata, Feejee Islands. " A common shrub on the leeward coasts." 



This is a variable species as to foliage, &c, unless possibly two or 

 more are here confounded. The specimens from Ovolau, Oneata, 



49 



