1836.] Observations on the Flora of Courtalhnn, 92 



since the publication of Decandolle's Systema Vegetab ilium ; 

 at which time only 105 were known, one-fourth of which 

 were Indian. Roxburgh describes 27 in his flora, all that 

 he knew, from both the Continent and Islands. Blume enu- 

 merates 32 from Java. After reducing several of Decandol- 

 le's species, 19 are assigned to the peninsula, to which I have 

 added fully half as many more since my return to India : so 

 that, the known peninsular species may now amount to 30 ; 

 of these 20 or 22 are natives of Courtallum, and no doubt 

 several more will be found, as they generally frequent the 

 thickest and most shady forests, where, from having nothing 

 very striking in their appearance, or showy in their flowers, 

 they may be easily passed unobserved. 



The distinguishing character of this order rests in the 

 seeds, the albumen or white portion of which, as seen in a 

 longitudinal section, is ruminated. This is a mark to which 

 there is no exception, and with the appearance of which, any 

 one may make himself acquainted by merely dividing 

 lengthwise the seed of a custard apple, and examining the 

 cut surface. The custard apple and some others have the 

 carpels united into a single conglomerate fruit. But gene- 

 rally, each carpel is furnished with a distinct pedicel, forming 

 together a large cluster of fruit, all springing from one cen- 

 tral point. 



Considering the liberal supply which has been grant- 

 ed to India of members of this order, it is to be regret- 

 ted that in an economical point of view, so far as we 

 yet know, they have so little to recommend them to 

 our consideration. Two species only are mentioned by 

 Ainslie, the Anona squamosa and A. reticulata;, (the custard- 

 apple and bullocks-heart) on account of their fruit ; a 

 few attain the size of timber trees, but the wood is soft and 

 not much esteemed. The family is said to possess, as a ge- 

 neral property, a powerful aromatic taste and smell : a point 

 to which I am sorry I have not paid sufficient attention, to 

 enable me either to corroborate or refute, generally ; but I 

 know the leaves of the custard-apple form a striking excep- 

 tion, in so far as smell is concerned, which in them is heavy 

 and disagreeable ; while that of the flowers of Artabotrys 



