Neilgherry Plants. 191 



Japan, a few in the Himalayan range, three or four in Ceylon, 

 and two or three on the mountains of the Indian peninsula. 

 Generally they are distinguished by the fragrance of their 

 flowers, which has led to the introduction and extended dif- 

 fusion over India, of the Champac as a sacred tree, the flowers 

 of which, when procurable, are offered by the natives at the 

 shrines of their idols. 



The tree here represented is the only one found on the 

 Neilgherries, and there attains the size of a large timber tree, 

 the wood of which however is only used in house building. 

 Owing to its hygrometric properties it is not adapted for 

 other purposes, as it swells and contracts, according to the 

 moisture or dryness of the atmosphere, to an unusual extent, 

 even after long seasoning. When formerly writing on this 

 family in my Illustrations of India Botany, I considered this 

 distinct from the plant there figured under the name of 

 M. Palmyensis, better acquaintance with this one, has led 

 me to doubt the correctness of the opinion there expressed, 

 which was mainly formed on what I now find an incorrect 

 figure and description. 



MICHELIA. Linn. 



Carpels arranged in a loose spike, of a consistence between lea- 

 thery and fleshy, 2-valved, opening from the apex downwards. Seeds 

 several (3-8), externally fleshy. — Leaves entire, petioled. Flowers 

 axillary, generally fragrant, usually of a yellow colour. — W. and A. 

 Prod. p. 6, No. 1. 



This genus which is the only one of the family found so far south 

 in India, consists of large trees or considerable shrubs, and may I 

 believe generally be met with, where abundant, in flower nearly the 

 whole year ; but on the Hills are in greatest profusion during the 

 rainy season. The flowers are usually rather large, frequently with a 

 tinge of yellow, very fragrant. Those of the Neilgherry species are 

 nearly white. 



2 c 



