192 Neilgherry Plants. 



M. Nilagiilea, (Zenker.) Leaves A large tree found frequently- 

 elliptic oblong, tapering to a in the clumps of jungle about 

 point at both ends, glabrous ; sti- Ootacamund. There are several 

 pules and spathes silky petals very fine ones in the thicket im- 

 from 9 in three rows, stamens mediately adjoining the Church, 

 numerous shorter than the column the branches of one or two of 

 of fructification, ovaries numerous them overhanging the road, 

 about 4 ovules in each : carpels 

 warty, one or two seeded. 



III. MENISPERMACE.E. 



This curious family consists,, with few exceptions, of twin- 

 ing shrubs, and is nearly confined to Asia and America, a 

 few have been found in other tropical countries. One is 

 found above 3,000 feet of elevation on the Himalayas, and one 

 in Siberia These I believe are about the only exceptions to 

 its tropical character, doubtless others are found beyond the 

 tropics, but still in warm latitudes where frost is scarcely 

 known. The one here represented has the widest range of 

 elevation of any I have met with in the Peninsula, extending 

 from the plains to Ootacamund, where it is found in almost 

 every thicket. One other species I have found on the Hills 

 and only there, but so rare that I have only once seen it, and 

 then not in good flower, otherwise it would have been a more 

 appropriate representative of the family for this work. 



The order is in many respects peculiar, and seems hitherto 

 to have nearly set at defiance all attempts of Botanists to find 

 a suitable location for it in the natural arrangement of the 

 vegetable kingdom. I here retain it in the situation allotted 

 by the late most accomplished Botanist, Prof. DeCandolle, 

 though satisfied in my own mind it is not well chosen, from 

 feeling convinced that premature and partial reforms are pro- 

 ductive of greater injury to science, than the errors they are 

 intended to remedy. 



Intense bitterness, more or less combined with narcotism, 

 is the prominent quality of the order, as evinced by the well 



