54 
INDIAN 
in the continuity of the genus is situated, nor whether it is abrupt 
or gradual. 
The Malayan States Balsams are all endemic, and all belong to 
the division of the genus with short capsules turgid in the middle. 
Two only are related to Burmese, namely, /. Griffitkii, to the widely 
distributed /. chinensis, and /. macrosepala to /. Parishii, /. mira-‘ 
bi/is, the most anomalous of the whole genus in the prodigious bulk 
of its stem and in its branching raceme, has been found on only one 
islet of the Langkwani group on the coast of the Wellesley Province, 
growing upon knife-edged limestone rocks. I. Balsamina which 
inhabits all other parts of warmer India, is not found in the Malay 
States except in cultivation. It is regrettable that materials are 
wanting for describing the Balsams of the botanically rich island of 
Pendng. There are in the Kew Herbarium sketches or fragments of 
several, but these are insufficient for identification They appear to 
differ from any of the described State's species, as might be expected 
from the fact of Penang being of granitic formation, and all the 
State's ones except /. Griffithii (which inhabits swampy land at a 
considerable elevation) being confined to limestone. 
Sumatra is much richer in Balsams than are the Malay States. 
Its species are almost without exception endemic. 
The collectors in the Malay States w’ho have contributed materials 
or the following sketch of its Balsams, are primarily the late Mr. Curtis, 
Director of the Botanical Gardens and Forest Department of Penang ; 
Griffith, Maingay, L» Wray, Father Scortechini, a collector sent to 
Perak by Sir G. King, and Mr. Ridley-. Director of Uie Botanic 
Gardens of Singapore. 
Key to the species, 
(All belong to the series with short capsules turgid in the middle.) 
Inflorescence racemose or panicled, 
pedicels bracteate at the base 
Stem enormously stout, sepals 2, spur 
short , . . . . I. /. mirabilis, Hk. f. 
Inflorescence of axillary pedicelled flowers, pedicels cbracteate 
or bracteate at the base only. 
Sepals 2 : 
Lower leaves opposite or very rarely 
alternate, upper usually 3-5-nately 
whorled, spur of lip very long : 
Stem simple, leaves very narrow 2. /. Grifflthii, Hk. f. 
&T. 
