FLORA OF THE SUNDRIBUNS. 
331 
is somewhat peculiar, in that the fibres of any particular ring of growth do not pass 
vertically upwards, but instead diverge ‘^herring-bone fashion from an indistinct^ 
vertical linear raphe, which appears to correspond to the plane of an original branch , 
at an angle of about 15°, their upper ends blending in a much less definite raphe 
midway between two raphes of divergence. The raphes of divergence of the ring 
of growth next above and next below any particular ring alternate, so that in 
weathered trunks and to a less extent in freshly cut sound logs, a lace-work arrange- 
ment of the fibres of the various rings of growth presents itself. This configuration 
and arrangement is to be observed also in the bark of the Bakayan^ where it is 
more immediately patent, though perhaps less definite. 
The wood-cutters speak of the existence of four distinct Bdens : so far as 
could be gathered one of these is Amcennia alba^ Dudhl Bden, with acute leaves 
and narrow sharp-pointed capsules, which is certainly a very distinct species. 
The other three have obtuse leaves and broad capsules and are all apparently 
forms of the present species. The three forms are (i) the tree, 40-60 feet high, 
with a girth of 12-15 f^et, which has sometimes ovate-obtuse, sometimes oblong- 
obtuse leaves ; (2) the shrub or small tree with broader ovate-obtuse leaves ; (3) the 
shrub or small tree with narrower oblong-obtuse leaves. These three are, however, 
only distinguishable by the characters indicated and exhibit no botanically dis- 
tinctive characters. 
87. Avicennia alba Bl, A, officinalis var. alba F. B. I. iv. 604. E. D. 
A 1665. 
River-banks, very rare; at Malanchi, Lace & Prain ! Nalkhora, 
Prain ! 
Vernac. Dudhi Bden. 
A small shrub ; used as firewood. 
Distrib. — Coasts of W. India ; Indo-China ; Malaya; N. Australia. 
XLVm.— LABIAM. 
14 : 3 . Ocimum Linn. 
Pedicels of individual flowers as long as calyx . . sanctum. 
Pedicels of individual flowers shorter than the calyx , Basilicum, 
188. Ocimum sanctum Linn.; F. 1 . iii. 14; F. B. 1 . iv. 609. E. D. o 
31 - 
Chandpie, Heinig & Gammie \ Jatta^ among ruins, Prain ! 
Vernac. Tdlsi. 
A herb or under-shrub ; sacred. 
Distrib. — Orient; S.-E. Asia: Australia; Polynesia. 
189. Ocimum Basilicum Linn. ; F. I. iii. 17; F. B. I. iv. 6 o 3 , O, 
pilosum F. I. iii. 16. E. D. O 18. 
Rampura, Prain ! 
Vernac. Bahui Tulsi. 
A herb or under-shrub : medicinal, and used as a flavouring in cookery. 
Distrib. — Tropics of Eastern Hemisphere; Polynesia. 
