This interesting little species of Rata, so unlike all the 
others with which I am acquainted, in the general appear- 
ance and color of the flowers, has, nevertheless, the same struc- 
ture of leaves, and the same smell with the rest of its congeners. 
The number of the parts in the species of this genus seems to 
be very variable ; but the stamens appear to me to be more fre- 
quently eight than ten. In regard to the generic character, 
too, there seems to be some obscurity ; at least in this species I 
do not find " puncta mellifera," which are described as existing 
on the receptacle. There is indeed a remarkable gland or nec- 
tary surrounding the base of the germen, as in the other species 
of Ruta; but here there are no distinct pores. The germen is 
pedunculated, which I do not find to be the case with other 
Rutae, and the styles, though united, so as to appear but one, are 
in reality four, or as many as there are lobes to the germen ; and 
these are frequently separated as the lobes diverge, in the cap- 
sules' advancing to maturity. It is the only species with which 
I am acquainted that has white flowers. 
The present individual flowered in the month of June of 
this year in the garden of my valued friend P. Neill, Esq. at 
Canonmills, near Edinburgh, and was raised, among other rari- 
ties, from seeds which were received from Nepaul. 
Fig. 1. Single flower. Fig. 2. Flower deprived of its petals and stamens. 
Fig. 3. Nectary, from which all but one stamen are removed. Fig. 4. 
One lobe of the germen. Fig. 5. Young capsule (natural size J. Fig. 6. 
Single lobe of the Capsule. Fig. 7. Single lobe cut open to shew the 
insertion of the seeds, {a, the scar of the stigma) All but Fig. 5. more or 
less magnified. 
