150 Notes on Indian Botany. 



scutelliform appendage, 1 -seeded. Seed pendulous, obovate, 

 cuneate, compressed. Embryo minute in the apex of a large 

 albumen : radicle next the hilum. 



Hab. — Neilgherries — very sparingly in woods near the top 

 of the hill behind the Avalanche Bungalow ; with flowers and 

 fruit in February 1845. 



Mr. Gardner and I found a single tree in the station culti- 

 vated, from which we obtained only a few indifferent speci- 

 mens, owing, apparently, to the tree being in flower out of 

 season, the best was one figured, and now in course of pub- 

 lication in my Icones. As a species, it is very distinct from 

 the Cape one, and were the genus to be increased to such an 

 extent as to render subdivision desirable, marks I dare say 

 might even be found for its separation from the genus in the 

 form of the ovary and style, and texture of the appendage. 

 As the genus now stands, however, there can be no object 

 gained by its removal on such artificial characters, and as 

 adding one to the already numerous links connecting the Floras 

 of India and Africa, it may be esteemed an interesting addi- 

 tion to our Flora. I met with this plant, or a distinct species 

 of the genus, some years ago on the western slopes of the 

 Shevagherry mountains, but in fruit only. 



NICOLSONIA. 



This genus like Apadytes is now for the first time admitted 

 into the Indian Flora, its other species being natives of tropi- 

 cal America and the Cape. In habit, as well as in character, it 

 approaches Desmodium, so much so, indeed, that I considered 

 our species as probably referable to that genus, until Mr. 

 Gardner suggested its true station in the order. 



The essential distinction between the two genera lies 

 in the calyx, which in Desmodium, is divided half its length 



