2 
INDIAN 
own region of distribution, (Eastern Himalayan, Western Himalayan, 
Burmese, Malabarian, Ceylonese and Malayan Peninsular) and the 
great difference between the species of any two of these regions, neces- 
sitates the adoption to a great extent of different sections in each, 
area. 
As evidence of this segregation (which has no parallel in the 
Indian Flora) it is sufficient to point out that only about 8 species 
are common to the Himalaya east and west of Nepal respectively ; 
that of ujiwards of lOo species, only 7 are common to the East Hima- 
laya and Burma, that of nearly 60 Malabar species only 2 are found in 
the Himalaya or Burma ; and what is most remarkable is, that of the 
two primary sections or series under which all the Indian species are 
rang^ed', namely A, species with a short capsule turgid in the middle, 
and B, species with a slender linear or clavate capsule, only one 
species of A is found in the Western Himalaya, and not a single 
species of B in Malabar, Ceylon or the Malay Peninsula ; in the 
Eastern Himalaya and Burma, both A and B are represented. I 
shall therefore in this communication treat the species primarily 
phytogeographically. 
The points upon which most information, as not being obtainable 
from Herbarium specimens of Iinpatiens, is wanted, are the dura- 
tion and habit of the species, annual, biennial or perennial, the 
number and position of the stipular glands, the presence or absence 
of raphides in the leaves and floral organs. The colours of the 
flowers, with drawings if procurable, the nature and function of a 
dilatation on the opposing margins of the wings which occurs nearly 
opposite the sinus between the lobes of the wings ; this, which is 
often absent, may be produced into an ear-shaped lobule or into 
a thread descending into the spur ; I have called it the dorsal auricle 
of the wings. The anther varies greatly in the genus and can rarely 
be described from Herbarium specimens. The fruits and seeds of 
many species are unknown, and, owing to the testa of the fatter 
shrinking in drying, these should be described from fresh specimens. 
Pollination by insects is a very interesting process, which should be 
watched and described. 
In forming Herbarium specimens these should be laid in the 
sheets of a portfolio in the field, with spare flowers and with 
separate floral organs laid beside them. It is not recommended to 
preserve flowers in alcohol, which renders them very brittle. 
The flowers of I m pa tie ns 2iVe so SiWomdAons in structure that it may 
be useful to inform beginners of the real nature of their parts, and 
of the terms which, for the sake of brevity, I have adopted in de- 
