Connaracecn.] 



CHINA. 



179 



alibus longe ciliatis subsequalibus, interioribus (?) latioribus spathulatis — Lindl. in Hort. 

 Trans, v. 6. p. 270. — B. padifiora. Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 1388 — Pythagorea Cochinchensis. 

 Lour. Cochin. 1 . p. 300. 



It is extremely difficult to ascertain whether the narrow or broad segments of the perianth are exterior, 

 so nearly do they all form one series : but the smaller ones will be found to form a small ridge on the tube, 

 by their union to it, while there is a slight depression or channel from the base of the other series : on this 

 account we have viewed the former as the exterior ; but, whether they actually be so or not, it is at the 

 base of the smaller segments that the glands are situated, the stamens being placed opposite to the broader 

 series. De Candolle says of the genus, that the smaller ones are the interior, and opposite the stamens : 

 perhaps different species vary in the relative size of the two series : but if not, and if it is the smaller series 

 that is constantly exterior, a supposition confirmed by the structure of Homalium, then the stamens 

 must be viewed as opposite to the exterior row, as in that genus. This plant seems very closely allied 

 to B. axillaris, Lam. III. t. 412, f. 1, from Madagascar, where, however, the spikes of flowers are much 

 longer than the leaves, the flowers smaller, and the leaves almost orbicular. The B. padifiora of Mr. Lind- 

 ley, we consider to be identical with B. fagifolia. 



The Rhus semialata, Murray, (R. Javanica, L.) is communicated by Mr, Millett from Macao. 



Ord. XXVIII. CONNARACEiE. Brown. 



1. Connarus Roxburghii ; foliolis 2-3-jugis ovato-oblongis breviter obtuse acuminatis 

 subcoriaceis glaberrimis, paniculis axillaribus aggregatis folium subaequantibus, stylis 5, 

 capsula solitaria. — Cnestis monadelpha. Roxb. Hort. Bengh. p. 34. Fl. Ind. 2. p. 454. De 

 Cand. Prodr. v. 2. p. 87. 



Macao. Mr. Millett. — Since Roxburgh says of this plant, " seed solitary, attached to the bottom of the 

 capsule, as in the germ, ovate, invested in a complete orange-coloured aril: perisperm none," with which our 

 observations accord, we trust there can be no doubt about the propriety of removing this species from 

 Cnestis to Connarus. The same plant has been collected by Dr. Wight in the peninsula of India, so that its 

 geographical distribution is tolerably extensive. On account of the firm and almost coriaceous nature of 

 the leaves, the nerves and venation are not prominent, by which character it may be readily distinguished 

 from C. santaloides, where the veins are prominent and reticulated beneath. 



2. Connarus microphallus ; foliolis 5-6-jugis oblongo-lanceolatis obtusis glabris vix 

 coriaceis supra nitidis junioribus subtus glaucis venis prominulis, petiolis ramulisque glaber- 

 rimis, racemis axillaribus laxis paucifloris folio plus dimidio brevioribus. — Aegiceras minus. 

 Gccrtn. Fruct. 1. t. 46. 



This species is very closely allied to C. mimosoides of Vahl, from the Nicobar Islands, which has also 

 small leaflets, scarcely an inch long : but C. mimosoides is described with from to 1 1 pairs, and they are 

 said to be deeply emarginate. In Vahl's plant, too, the younger branches appear to be pubescent. Although, 

 therefore, we acknowledge the close affinity of the two, we cannot unite them. The figure given by 

 Grertner, of his Aegiceras minus, so entirely accords with the fruit of our plant, both as to size and shape, 

 that we have quoted it without hesitation : we ought to remark, however, that Roxburgh has pointed out 

 its affinity to his Cnestis monadelphus, the fruit of which is considerably larger ; and Sprengel has quoted 

 it without doubt, under C. santaloides. In structure, it accords perfectly with the last species, and with 

 the genus. 



3. Connarus? jug landifolius ; foliolis 4-5-jugis ovato-oblongis subiter acuminatis acutis- 

 simis obliquis subfalcatis supra nitidis glaberrimis, petiolis ramulisque glaberrimis, paniculis 

 apices versus ramorum axillaribus, fructu (juniore) compresso oblique ovato. 



We have neither seen the flowers nor the germens, the only specimen in the Collection having the latter 



z 2 



