MELASTOMACEjE. 87 



tainly no distinct teeth, and the designation subentire 

 would be more applicable. 



15. Miconia laevigata. Common Miconia. 



Branches alternately compressed farinose, 

 leaves ovato-lanceolate attenuato-acuminate 

 rounded at the base minutely denticulated with 

 the teeth setose 5-nerved besides an obscure 

 marginal pair subglabrous, cymes panicles! , flow- 

 ers subsessile subserial, calyx farinose and ciliate, 

 petals concave, berry 5-celled. 



Melastoma fruticosa minor, foliis tenuibus ovatis, 

 Browne, 219. — Grossularia fructu non spinoso malabathri 

 foliis oblongo, fructu nigro, Sloane, II. 140. — Melastoma 

 laevigata, Swartz, Obs. 176. 



H A B. Common in waste places, mountains. 

 FL. Early part of the year. 



A shrub about 10 feet in height. Leaves about 6 

 inches long and 2j broad, thin, membranaceous, shining 

 and bright green above, paler beneath : petiole an inch 

 in length, terete, slightly channelled above. Thyrse termi- 

 nal, of nearly the same length as the leaves : peduncle 

 and its divisions farinose : flowers small, white, subsessile, 

 sub-serial. Calyx externally farinose, ciliated, minutely 

 5-toothed, very obscurely 10-nerved. Petals 5, rounded 

 at the apex, concave. Stamens 10, white, anthers one- 

 pored. Style longer than the stamens : stigma obtuse. 

 Berry small, black, 5-celled, size of a coriander seed: 

 seeds oval. 



The leaves in this species, previous to dropping, as- 

 sume a scarlet hue. They are sometimes more or less 

 hispidulous. The berry is observed in some specimens 

 to have a ribbed appearance. 



16. Miconia affinis. ^cute-leaved Miconia. 



Branchlets compressed sulcated densely fer- 

 rugineo-farinose, leaves elliptic acute at both ends 

 denticulated 3-nerved besides the marginal pair 



