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ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.
irregular, for the most part racemose, large and handsome ; the pedicels often furnished with bracteoles.
Calyx free, generally 5-eleft, imbricated in sestivation. Torus expanded, adnate to the cup of the calyx, terminating in a per,igynous ring. Corolla more or less irregular, sometimes papilionaceous, more frequently the petals are free, expanding, or somewhat rosaceous, occasionally wanting, aestivation irregularly imbricalive. Stamens more or less unequal, always perigynous j filaments rarely united Ovary solitary, with several ovules. Legumes I , or several, seeaed, dehiscent, or rarely indehiscent, often transversely divided by cellular partitions, more rarely, by firm chartaceous laminse ( Cathartocarpus. J Seed usually compressed, sometimes horizon- tal, that is, with the edges not the sides of the cotyledons opposed to the valves, sometimes covered with pulp. Albumen usually wanting, but. in Cathartocarpus copious, enclosing folia- ceous cotyledons. Embryo straight, cotyledons usually large, plumule conspicuous.
Though for convenience, I have adopted this as a sub-order ; it seems clear, from the com- plexity of structure observable among its genera, that it can scarcely as it now stands be admit- ted as such, since the only constant point of difference between it and Papilionaceae rests in its straight not curved embryo. The indehiscent cylindrical legumes, firm transverse partitions, and albuminous seed of the first section of Cassia ( Cathartocarpus J point that out as a good genus, though it is to be wished it had a more euphonious name. This sub-order is divided into three tribes Geoffreae, Cassieae and Detarieae.
Tribe 8. Gkoffke^e — Corolla papilionaceous or nearly so, stamens monadelphous or dia- delphous, perigynous.
To this tribe only one Indian genus belongs, namely, Amchis, which, with the exception of the straight embryo has scarcely any affinity with it, being more properly referable to Vicieae. It is remarkable for maturing its seed under ground. At first the ovary is supported on a short stalk which afterwards elongates to several inches, in a downward direction, until it forces the ovary into the soil where it remains an 1 ripens its seed. The plant is much cultivated on account of its seed, which, under the name of ground, or pig, nuts are roasted and eat like cushew-nuts which they much resemble in taste. They are besides oleagenous a rare occurrence in this order.
Cassieae. — Stamens distinct, or rarely monadelphous at the base (and then the corolla though not papilionaceous is irregular,)
To this tribe belong many very handsome trees and shrubs, some very useful ones, and many more that can scarcely he said to partake of either character. A few examples must suffice to illustrate the two first classes — which however I take indiscriminately without attempt- ing to classify them.
Guilandina Bonaluc or Bondnccella., they are the same plant, is a handsome diffuse shrub armed with numerous prickles, forming an impenetrable fence. The globular very hard. Seed are intensely bitter and esteemed a powerful tonic. The infusion of them is said to be a very effectual remedy in cases of intermittent fever, and as such, has been recommended along with the extract, of Cocculus cordifolius as a substitute for Peruvian hark, and as an excellent adjuvant in cases where the cinchona does not agree with the stomach. Caesalpinea Sapan, the red wood of commerce, is extensively exported from this country as a dye wood. Hcema- toxylon Campechianum, the logwood of commerce, is employed for similar purposes, and in habit the two trees are considerably alike. Poinciana is a genus much more remarkable for the splendour and beauty of its flowers than for any useful purpose to which it is turned. The gaudy princes feather or peacock's pride of this country (Poinciana pulcheriena) is everywhere met with, P. elatior with white flowers is, though less known, a finer plant, the tree itself being a very handsome one. Sir W. J. Hooker has figured in the Botanical Magazine one from Madagascar P. regia, more remarkable than either for the splendour of its flowers. Ptero- lobium lacerans a common jungle shrub of this country is curious on account of its legume, which is 1 -seeded, ending in a knife-shaped wing. It is a most thorny plant, well adapted for fences, but rather diffuse — Parkinsonia, Hard/rickin, Jonesia, and Humbnldtia, are all fine plants, but principally interesting on account of the celebrated persons whose names they bear. The Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) on the other hand, is most useful both on account of the value of its wood and fruit, hut on these it is unnecessary to dwell. I may however mention
