Descriptions of Malayan Plants, 



189 



are frequently contained in one common integument, so 

 firmly united as to appear but one, until by dissection the 

 two radicles and four irregular cotyledons are discovered. 

 There are seldom more than one or two cells in each fruit 

 that perfect their seed ; the others are only filled with the 

 white transparent pulp. 



Var. ^. Z. aqueum. 



Foliolis subtus villosis, racemis densis, saepius solitariis, 

 fructibus globosis. 

 Ayer Ayer. Malay. 



The Ayer Ayer so nearly resembles the Lanseh in most 

 particulars, that I hesitate to rank it as a distinct species, and 

 content myself with mentioning it as a permanent and well- 

 marked variety. They are principally distinguished by the 

 Malays by their fruit, that of Ayer Ayer being rounder, and 

 the pulp more watery (whence the name), and dissolving more 

 completely in the mouth than that of the Lanseh. Both are 

 highly esteemed by the Malays, and are equally agreeable 

 to the European palate. The juicy envelope of the seeds is 

 the part eaten, and the taste is cooling and pleasant. 



This genus has hitherto been known only from Rumphius' 

 figure and description, and its place in the system has therefore 

 continued uncertain. From an examination of the fruit, M. 

 Coreade Serra conjectured it to be intermediate between the 

 families of Aurantice and Guttiferce^ but the structure of the 

 flower determines its true place to be among the Meliacece, 



I have further met in the forests near Bencoolen with a 

 tree which appears to agree very nearly with the Lansium 

 montanum, Rumph, Amb, i. /?. 154. t. 56. It differs in the 

 number of the stamens, styles and seeds from the Lansium 

 described above, but agrees with it exactly in carpological 

 structure and in general habit. Its characters coincide very 

 nearly with those of Roxburgh's Milnea, They are as follow: 



