316 'Descriptions of Malayan Plants. 



In giving the above character of this well-known species,- 

 I have been obliged to add to the usual specific phrase, in 

 order to distinguish it from the preceding, to which it has 

 so much resemblance that they might easily be confounded 

 together. The leaves of this are longer and less hairy, and 

 the scales of the calyx are much shorter and more appressed 

 than in M, obvoluta. The principal distinction however is 

 in the inflorescence, the flowers in this being numerous, ge- 

 nerally from seven to eleven, in a kind of corymbose panicle, 

 and the bracts small ; while in the preceding the number of 

 the flowers seldom exceeds three, and each is invested by 

 two large bracts, which entirely enclose the calyx, and do not 

 fall off* till the petals are fallen. The two following species 

 have also considerable resemblance to the present, but are 

 readily distinguished on inspection by having their calyces 

 covered with erect bristles in place of flat scales. 



This species (as well as all the rest) has the ovula attach- 

 ed to placentae projecting from the inner angle of the cells : 

 as the fruit ripens the cells become filled with pulp, and the 

 placentae consequently less distinct ; this probably occasion- 

 ed Gsertner to fall into an error in ascribing to Melastoma 

 nidulant seeds, and establishing on this a distinction between 

 it and Osbeckia, 



3. MELASTOMA ERECT A. (W. J,) 



M. decandra, foliis quinquenerviis ovatis utrinque acutis 

 villosis, floribus 5 — 7 terminalibus corymbosis, calycibus sca- 

 bris pilis longis erectis laciniis linearibus deciduis. 



Found at Tappanooly in Sumatra. 



A small erect shrub. Branches round or obscurely four- 

 sided, ferruginous, rough with erect hairs. Leaves opposite, 

 petiolate, ovate, acute at both ends, four or five inches long, 

 five-nerved, with an additional marginal line, edges recurved 

 and denticulate, softly tomentose or pilose above, villous 

 beneath, with strong erect hairs. Petioles nearly half an 



