sufficiently perfect to enable me to decide. This species
of Centunculus was originally found in Nepaul,
its rediscovery on the Neilgherries adds another to
the many already existing links which connect these
distant floras.
2000. P rimula, denticulata ? (Smith, E x. Bot.),
leaves rugous, thin, glabrous, ovato-lanceolate, unequally
denticulate,'acutish, smooth above, beneath
more or less dusted with white farina, sometimes
without farina, narrowed into a winged petiol, sheathing
and membranous at the base: involucrum many-
flowered, leaflets acuminate, the exterior ones broader
lanceolate longer than the pedicels, the interior ones
linear lanceolate, shorter: calyx urseolate, 5-cleft,
divisions linear lanceolate acute, longer than the
tube : corolla salver-shaped, lobes obcordate, obtuse.
Du by in D . C. Prod.
The specimens from which the drawing was made
were kindly communicated by Captain Munro who
gathered them at Hungafung on. the Himalayas in
August. I am doubtful whether I have correctly
named the plant as the specimens differ in some
minute particulars from the character, but as they
agree in their more prominent features, I could not
venture on constituting this a new species, the more
so as I have not an opportunity of consulting Smith’s
figure. Should it prove new, 1 would suggest its
being dedicated to the discoverer. I t is introduced
here mainly to fill the plate, but also in the hope that,
since Centunculus has been found on our southern
mountains, a Primula may be found to bear it company.
SciTAMESEiG.
This is the Linnean name of a curious, beautiful and
useful group of plants, including the Plantain, Cardamom,
Ginger, Turmeric, Zedoary, Arrowroot, In dian
shot (canna), and many others. The original
group, which now includes about 300 known species,
is divided into three orders—Musaceee, Zingiberacece,
and Marantacece. The first is distinguished by having
several stamens—the second by having one stamen
with a perfect 2-celled anther, and the 3d by
having 1 stamen with a 1-celled or half anther, and
that placed at one side of the flower, usually on a
petaloid filament. - -
Illustrations of each of these orders will be found
among the following series of plates. The group,
viewed as a whole, is readily distinguished by its
foliage and habit. Erect herbaceous stalks with
sheathing more or less lanceolate leaves, having a
distinct mid rib with the lateral veins diverging
thence at more or less acute angles towards the margin.
In most other monocotyledonous plants (some
exceptions will be mentioned by and by) they run
in parallel lines from the base to the apex.
At first sight the flowers of Zingiberacece seem, as
in orchids, to consist of a six-lobed perianth, 3 exterior
and 3 interior, one of the latter more or less
perianth and six stamens one only of the latter imperfect.
differing from the others, forming, as in orchids, a lip
opposite the stamen. This is not, however, their true
structure, for they have in addition to this coroloid
perianth, a distinct calyx, (usually much shorter and
embracing its tubular base) which is wanting in
orchids. The difference is explained by assuming
that in this group there are six stamens, 5 of which
are modified, and only three in orchids, two of which
are modified or wanting. That such is really the
case is shown by the Plantain which has a six-parted
In it, the 3 larger exterior lobes of the
perianth correspond to the calyx of the Gingers, the
3 smaller interior to the exterior lobes of the perianth,
while the 3 outer stamens represent the inner
perianth and the 3 inner the staminal series of Gingers.
According to this view, the flower of Zingiberacece
consists, 1st of the calyx, 2d of the exterior or
calycine lobes of the perianth, 3d, of the interior, or
petaloid lobes, modified stamens, and 4th, of the proper
stamens, two of which are abortive, and the third,
or odd one, placed opposite the lip, perfect. Maran-
tacece differ from this arrangement in perfecting one-
of the lateral stamens in place of the odd or posterior
one.
In the discrimination of the genera of Zingiberacece
the anther is usually looked to as furnishing
the essential characters, but of course the other
parts of the flower are not overlooked. The first
point to be noticed in examining one of these plants
is to ascertain whether or not the filament extends
beyond the anther. If it has not a crest or prolongation
it is referable to Hedychium, Alpinia, Globba,
Roscoea or Gastrochilus, all of which have crestless
anthers, but are easily distinguished by other marks.
The lateral appendages of the anthers of some of the
Globbas do not come under that denomination.
Of those that have it prolonged, Zingiber has an
awl-shaped point. Elatteria, a short more or less
fleshy thickening of the point. Costus, a short membranous
prolongation. Curcuma, a dilated point and
two spurs at the base. Kcempferia, a long membranous
forked point. Monolophus, a short broad reflexed
point. Roscoea has the base of the anther
prolonged.
These brief indications of the essential characters
of the genera, so far as they are derived from the
anther, will suffice to show that it is not generally
difficult to distinguish the genera of this order with
fresh plants in hand; and that, even with dried specimens
if the flowers are not much injured in the
drying, but a moderate degree of skill is required to
open, for examination, flowers previously softened by
immersion for a few minutes in hot water.
The genera of Marantaceee are easily known by
their habit.
As it is probable my figures will generally be examined
in comparison with fresh plants with which
in minute particulars they may not at all times be
found to correspond, it is proper to mention that several
of them are taken from dried specimens, and
that in such cases minute accuracy of outline is not
always attainable, even while the likeness is so well
preserved as to leave no doubt as to the identity of
the object represented. This remark is more especially
applicable to the magnified dissected flowers
which, it must be allowed, it is often difficult so far
to restore as to admit of the representation conveying
a correct idea of the aspect of the parts, as seen in
the growing plant, but I trust that are generally so
well done . as to leave no doubt of the species to
which they refer and which they are intended to
make known.
2001. Globba marantinoides (R. W., G. maran-
tina, R. W. Icon., non Willd.), leaves petioled, lanceolate
: spike terminal, distichous, lower bracts bulbife-
rous; upper floriferous: flowers 2-4 in each bract:
lip entire, truncated at the apex, reflexed.