109 



CHAPTER VI. 

 Botanical notes connected with the foregoing Journal. 



[February \dth. — The finest view of the hills from Upper Assam is 

 obtained on a reach or turn of the river just above Palankar, the 

 river bending to the NNE. Snow is plentifully seen on one back 

 range from the Sugar-loaf peak. Another reach shortly after pre- 

 sents a fine view of the Burrampooter chasm, terminated by the rugged 

 peak so distinctly seen from Suddiyah, due east. This view might 

 be chosen, as a general characteristic of the Scenery of Upper Assam. 



It embraces the Mishmee mountains to the left, the higher peaks 

 of which are covered with perpetual snow. These lie to the NNE. 

 of Beesa. To the east, is the continuation of the Himalaya, to the 

 South-east and South, the Patkaye, and Naga ranges; the whole 

 forming a panorama, rarely if any where surpassed in beauty. Tem- 

 perature of the river at 6 a.m. 67° 



Musa. Many flowers from the axil of a bract ; no bractioles inter- 

 spersed, hence we may expect racemose or spicate partial inflorescences. 

 The perianth is unilateral, 5 cleft, the two smaller segments, which 

 are intermediate, being internal, or belonging to a different series. 

 Within this petaloid perianth is a membranous one, together with 

 a boat-shaped bracteolate body, entire. The stamens are five, evi- 

 dently opposite to the segments of the petaloid perianth, stamini- 

 bus adnatis, the sixth is not developed, but is rudimentary, and ex- 

 ceedly minute, opposite to the bracteoid body. The carpella three, 

 alternate as they ought to be with the last series of stamina, and 

 hence they are opposed to the larger and outer segments of the peta- 

 loid perianth, but this last point deserves further examination. 



The base of the bracteoid sepal is filled with a gelatinous, sweet, 

 transparent, unicoloured \ fluid. 



I am unaware whether this explanation has occurred to any 

 body else. 



It is curious as compared with Scitaminese, in which the posticous 

 stamen is alone fully developed. PI. 1. Fig. 3. a. bracteoid body, b. 

 sterile stamen, c. c. c. outer series, d. d. inner ditto. 



