218 BOTANY OF SOCOTRA. 



There are three quite distinct species of the genus on the island. 



Etym. Dedicated to Robert Balloch, Esq., Glasgow, a keen student of 

 Botanjr in his earlier years, to whom, whilst working out this flora, I have 

 been much indebted for many kindnesses. 



1. B. amcena, Balf. fil. in Proc. Eoy. Soc. Edin. xii. (1883), 87. Tab. LXX. 



Virgata ramulis albis saepe subspinescentibus ; foliis parvis subsessilibus oppositis v. 

 fasciculatis oblungis obtusis margine revolutis ; floribus solitariis axillaribus pedicellatis ; 

 pedicellis foliis longioribus glandulosis ; stylo apice bifido. 



Erecta virgata 8-pedalis ramulis albidis saape versus extremitatem marcescentibus subspinesc- 

 entibus, lateralibus baud raro contractis. Folia parva subsessilia ad ramos elongates 

 opposita, ad contractos fasciculata, oblonga v. obovata v. elliptica v. subovata \- £ poll, 

 longa \ poll, lata obtusa rarius apiculata v. emarginata integra margine revoluta siccitate 

 cystolithis papillosa. Flores in axillis solitarii ; pedicelli § poll, longi sparse glandulosi. 

 Calyx \ poll, longus, laciniis longe acutis glandnloso-puberulis. Corolla tlanimeo-flavida 

 v. flavida 1£ poll, longa. Stamina corolla vix longiora ; staminodia ^ poll, longa. Stylus 

 pollicaris apice breviter bifidus glaber. Capsula glabra -j'g-f poll, longa. 



Nom. Vern. Misah (B.C.S.). 



Socotra. Near Kadhab, and near Tamarida, B.C.S. nn. 364, 430. 

 Schweinf. nn. 419 in lit., 648, 780. Hunter. 



Distrib. Endemic. 



A pretty species found in several places, both on the plains and on the 

 hill slopes. Schweinfurth sends two sets of specimens, one of which (n. 780), 

 he notes as having entirely yellow flowers. These flowers have also a some- 

 what longer corolla-tube, which is considerably more enlarged in the throat 

 than is usual. 



This is the smallest leaved of the species of this genus, and by this character 

 as well as its virgate, sometimes half-spiny, twigs, it is easily distinguished. 



2. B. rotundifolia, Balf. fil. in Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin. xii. (1883), 87. 

 Tab. LXXI, A. 



Subarborea nonnunquam nana ramulis obscure alatis ; foliis brevissime petiolatis late ovatis v. 

 subrotundatis acutis v. obtusis margine revolutis subtus albido-lepidotis ; floribus in 

 dicbasia axillaria dispositis rarius solitariis ; pedicellis longis glanduloso-puberulis ; stylo 

 apice obtuso integro. 



Pllata subarborea ramis elongatis nonnunquam nana ramisque brevibus intricatis lignosis, 

 ramulis obscure alatis. Folia brevissime petiolata late ovata v. subrotundata v. obovata 

 interdum elliptica rarius lanceolata § poll, longa fe \ poll, lata, in forma nana sa?pe 

 rotundala \ poll, diam., acuta v. obtusa basi rotundata v. cordiformia integra margine 

 revoluta siccitate cystolithis papillosa subtus pallidiora albido-lepidota, petiolo vix J poll, 

 longo. Flores plerumque in dicbasia axillaria dispositi rarius solitarii; pedunculi \-\ 

 poll, longi cum pedicellis $-| poll, longis glanduloso-puberulis. Calyx % poll, longus, 

 laciniis acutis dense glanduloso-puberulis. Corollal poll, longa. Stamina corolla brevior; 

 staminodia .} 4 poll, longa. Stylus apice integer obtusus. Capsula g poll, longa. 



