160 



Descriptions of Malayan Plants. 



abortive anthers ; the fifth and lowest being a little longer, 

 and entirely sterile. Ovary tomentose. Style about the 

 length of the fertile stamina. Stigma peltate, round. 



Obs. — The form of the leaf is very peculiar, and readily 

 distinguishes this species from the others. 



BAUHINIA BIDENTATA. fW. J.J 



Foliis cordatis acuminatis apice bidentatis glaberrimis, 

 corymbis terminalibus, floribus octandris, staminibus tribus 

 superioribus fertilibus. 



Native of the Malayan forests where it climbs over trees, 

 and shews its flame coloured blossoms on their very summits. 



Shrubby, climbing far over the trees in its neighbourhood ; 

 bark brown; branches round, flexuose; branchlets covered 

 with ferruginous tomentum. Leaves alternate, petiolate, cor- 

 date, acute, bifid at the point, (not two-lobed) divisions 

 approximate with a short thread interposed, very entire, 

 seven nerved, very smooth, the younger ones rather silky 

 beneath with ferruginous deciduous hairs. Petioles thick- 

 ened at the top and base. Tendrils simple, revolute. Corymbs 

 terminal. Pedicels clavate, striated, tomentose. Calyx five- 

 parted, tomentose, for the most part bursting irregularly into 

 three divisions. Corolla orange-colored, becoming red after 

 expansion, five-petalled, petals nearly equal, sub-rotund, 

 unguiculate, spreading. Stamina eight, ascending, of which 

 the three upper are longer and fertile, and the three lowest 

 short and sterile. Anthers sub-rotund. Ovary pedicellate, 

 compressed, oblong, containing from six to eight ovula. Style 

 declinate, incurved at the point. Stigma large, capitate 

 and glutinous. 



Obs. — This species is at once distinguished by the peculiar 

 form of the leaves which are not two-lobed as usual in the 

 genus, but have the apex divided, so as to make the leaf 

 terminate in two acute points. The flowers are large and 

 shewy. 



