eatable. The embryo is white, of the texture of an almond, and much esteemed, though it has but little 
flavour. 
Some of the botanical characters of this plant are most remarkable. The flower in all respects resembles 
that of a Trichosanthes, but the ovary and fruit wholly differ from that genus, and ally it more to the 
curious Hast African genus Ze/fairia. The placente are decidedly marginal, and the two collateral ovules, 
ati the base of each side of each placenta, contract an adhesion, and together form only one seed with two 
cells, and often two embryos, though one is frequently imperfect. A further botanical account of it will be 
found in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. 
The name heterochita was given by Dr. Roxburgh to this plant (which he, not being acquainted with 
the fruit, supposed to belong to Zichosanthes), in allusion to its differing considerably from the genus to 
which he referred it; we have retained the name, because its fruit proves it to be even more heteroclite, or 
anomalous, as regards the natural family to which it belongs. 
This plant, when introduced into England, will require an almost tropical heat and damp in summer, 
but not in winter, when it ought to be kept more cool and dry. 
Prats I. Male plant of Hodgsonia heterochta, of the natural size. Fig. 1. Longitudinal section of the calyx-tube, showing 
the anthers, etc. Fig. 2. Ovary of a female flower, with a longitudinal section of its calyx-tube, showing the style 
and stigmata. Fig. 3. Transverse section of an ovary, showing the six pairs of parietal ovules :—al/ magnified. 
a 
