from the axils of 3 larger bracts; that the centre one
has but one bract while the lateral ones have each
three, namely a larger exterior corresponding with
the middle one, and two interior lateral ones, thus
giving only 5 bracts to the 3 flowers, in place of 3 to
each, required by the character. In this speeies the
bracts of the lateral flowers are longer than the
calyx, and are prolonged into a long awn-like point.
As shown in figure 1, they appear almost like a
middle large hermaphrodite flower with a female one
on each side, which is simply owing to the lateral
flowers being younger than the centre one: , figure
4, which is one of the lateral flowers more advanced,
shows the true structure.
1770. Chamissoa nodiixora (Mart.), herbaceous,
ascending, branchy, glabrescent: leaves petioled, spa-
thulate or spathulato-wedge-shaped, or oblong, obtuse,
with a short point; glabrous or more or less pubescent
: heads of flowers globose, lateral and sub-sessile
or terminal and shortly peduncled: flowers shortly
pedicelled: sepals somewhat longer than the bracts,
acuminated, keeled, one-nerved utricle globose.
A common and most variable plant, at least as
regards size. The specimen represented is a small
rigid almost shrubby one, but presents a form not
uncommon in poor sandy soils.
1771. Chamissoa dichotoma (Moq.), sufiruticose
or herbaceous, dichotomously branched: leaves short
petioled, ovate oblong, obtuse, short pointed, pubescent,
finely ciliate; heads of flowers lateral, sub-sessile,
globose, dense; flowers shortly pedicelled: sepals
equaling the bracts, keeled; keel rough: utricle globose;
seed smooth.
A difluse procumbent or slightly ascending plant.
The station of the specimen represented is not given,
but I have specimens, differing somewhat in form,
from CourtaUum.
1772. Chamisso'a aspera (R. W. Celosia aspera,
Roth), stems herbaceous, branchy, ascending or more
or less diffuse, rough with bristly hairs; or in old
plants innocuous prickles: leaves hispid, sub-sessile,
from linear blunt to oblong, lanceolate pointed: heads
of flowers sub-sessile, globose, dense: bracts as long
or longer than the sepals, aristate, pilose: sepals
keeled, hairy on the kee l: utricle ovoid.
In com fields in Mysore and Coimbatore. I look
upon the plant represented as certainly the same
species though it does not quite correspond with
Roth’s description. This I have ascertained from
comparing it with other specimens which do accurately
correspond, but which I had not before me
when the drawing was made.
1773. E uxoltjs caudatus (Moq.), stem erect, angularly
striated, glabrous, green: leaves long petioled,
ovate or rhomb-ovate, narrowing at both ends, blunt-
ish, emarginafe, glabrous, green: spikes ascending,
somewhat interrupted below, more compact and sub-
cylindrical above : flowers sessile, aggregated in dense
glomerules, green: bracts longer than the sepals:
utricle globose, pointed, very rough.
A common plant, frequent about Coimbatore in
waste ground and among rubbish.
This very common plant is introduced for the purpose
of illustrating by the analysis the difference between
this genus and Amarantus. This is found in
the fruit. In this, the seed is enclosed in the thickened
persistent indehiscent case or utricle, while in
Armravius the case splits all round, as in Chamissoa,
permitting the seed to drop out. In modem botanical
works the former has received the name of “ Utricle,”
while the latter is designated a “ Pyxidium.” In all
other respects they are the same. In regard to the
characters taken from the bracts and sepals of this
species it may be remarked, in passing, that scarcely
two plants are alike and that little trust can be
placed in them. The species of Euxolus and Amarantus
are most difficult to discriminate.
1774. Bahama thyrsiflora (Moq.), herbaceous,
erect, branched, glabrous: leaves rhomb-ovate
or^ ovato-lanceolate, acuminate: flowers tribracteate,
spikes terminal, thyrsoid.
Eastern slopes of the Neilgherries, from about
4000 feet of elevation upwards; not uncommon. The
long pale whitish spikes of this plant render it a
conspicuous object.
1775. P silotrichum nudum (Moq.), stem suflru-
ticose, erect or sometimes climbing among bushes:
leaves short petioled, ovato-lanceolate or ovate, acute,
glabrous: spikes axillary,short, rachis flexuose: flowers
dense, very hairy: sepals much longer than the
interior short very broad oblique acuminated bracts.
In subalpine jungle, sometimes climbing to the
extent of several feet among bushes or other support.
Moquin Tandon has two genera, the present and
Ptilotus, the distinctive characters of which are so
much alike that I can scarcely tell to which this
plant belongs, but I place it here on account of its
having opposite leaves, those of the other being alternate.
With that exception, it seems to me the w ritten
characters are about equally referable to this
and to Ptilotus ovatus, but of the latter plant I have
not a specimen for comparison. Perhaps if I had,
they might not appear so liable to be mistaken as
they seem to be when judged of from written characters
only.
1776. This plate furnishes an example of a very
unusual error, that, namely, of embodying parts of
two very distinct though somewhat similar looking
plants. The plant forming the body of the plate is
one species, while the flowers that furnish the analyses
appertain to another.
This rather curious mistake I did not discover
until long after the whole impression had been struck
off. I t originated in the accidental circumstance of
the specimen represented having been mixed with a
number of others, which were given to the artist to
select from, and being the most suitable in size was
naturally chosen, while the flowers of the other, being
larger and more easily dissected, were taken for the
analysis; the result is the combination in the same
plate of 2 very distinct genera, but fortunately both
appertaining to the same order and tribe. The plant
forming the body of the plate furnishes the type of a
new genus, while the dissections represent analyses of
the old genus JErva. To correct this blunder, perhaps
the most skilful proceeding would have been to
cancel the impression, and substitute a new and correct
plate. _ I have however thought it better, as the
cost to me is the same, to give subscribers the benefit
of my oversight by adding one representing the true
JEroa floribunda, accompanied by dissections of the