88 



The Band-binding Plants 



[NO. 1, NEW SERIES, 



their milk is tainted. Great difficulty occurs in raising this plant 

 in the vicinity of houses — as the inhabitants tread it down, and 

 cattle nibble the tender shoots. It naturally takes a higher posi- 

 tion on the sand-bank than the Spinifex, and suffers less in- 

 jury during a storm, but they often grow together and conjointly 

 effect much benefit. The Spinifex arrests the drifting sand, 

 and the Ipomcea secures what the former collects. Mr, Cadell 

 has planted it most extensively along the Canal banks near Tian- 

 quebar. (Plate No. 3). 



3. Canavalia obtusifolia D. C. common on the sea-shore, 

 frequently entwined with the last named binder, this is also a very 

 useful plant, and is very abundant at the Adyar, Ennore, the 

 mouth of the Godavery, and between Quilon and Anjengo. (Piate 

 No. 4). 



4. Hydropliylax maritima, Linn. Seaside Hydrophylax. A 

 straggling herbaceous plant, native of the shore of Coromandel, 

 where it shows its pale lilac blossoms great part of the year. The 

 branches run over the sand, sometimes under the surface, and 

 strike root at the joints. It answers well when the sand is moist. 

 Figured in Roxb. Cor. pi. t. 233. 



5. Microrhynchus sarmentosus, "Wight. A widely diffused hum- 

 ble plant, common along the sea beach, with long flagelliform run- 

 ners ; but according to my observation, no species of the Compo- 

 sitse possesses sufficient strength to effect the object in view. It is 

 well figured in Wight's illustrations, Vol. II., t. 133. (Plate No. 5). 



6. Pupalia orbiculata, Wight. Achyranth.es orbiculata, Heyne, 

 Wallich, Cyathida orbiculata, Moquin, " stem prostrate : leaves 

 short petioled densely villous when young, becoming orbicular, re- 

 tuse, acute at the base, smoother by age : fascicles densely tomen- 

 tose, many-flowered, globular, remote, with long brown bristles." 

 Wallich in Roxb. Fl. Ind. Carey Edit. 2. 507. Wight Icon. Vol. 

 v. t. 1783. 



On sandy soils near the sea beach, abundant at St. Thome, and 

 near the mouth of the Adyar River. 



An extensively spreading procumbent plant, the branches being 

 often several feet long, round, pubescent of a light brownish : green 



