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P L A T E CCCCLVIir.
E U G E N I A MALACCENSIS.
Malay Apple Tree.
CLASS XII. ORDER I.
ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Twenty Chives. One PointaL
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Periantliium monopliyllum, superum;
in medio orblculus, supra quem quadripartitum
est : laciniis concavis, persistentibus.
COROLLA. Petals quatuor, calyce duplo raajora,
obtusa, concava.
STAMINA. Filamenta plurima in orbiculo calyci
inserta, longitudine corollae : anther® pan^ae.
PisTiLLUM. Germen turbinatum, inferum.
Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum.
Stigma simplex.
PERICAKPIUM. Drupa quadrangularis, coronata,
unilocularis.
SEMINA. NUX subrotunda, glabra.
SPECIFIC
EUGENIA foliis oppositis, altemis, latis, ovalibus,
apice aciUo, leviter torto, glabris, lucidis.
Caulis erectus. Rarauli superiores dumosi,
cortice rugoso, colore pulliginoso : ramis
floriferis oppositis, alternis, rectis : corollis
alternatim oppositis, purpuveis.
EMPALEMENT. Cup of one leaf, above: in the
middle is a little circle, above vfhich it is
four-divided : the segments are hollow,,
and remaining.
BLOSSOM. Petals four, twice the size of thecalyx,
obtuse, and hollow.
CHIVES. Threads many in a httle circle inserted
into the calyx : tips small.
PoiNTAL. Seed-bud top-shaped, beneath. Shaft
simple, the length of the stamens. Summit
simple. ^
SEED-VESSEL. A berry four-angled, coronet--
shaped, and one-celled.
SEED. A nut nearly round, and smooth.
CHARACTER.
EUGENIA with opposite alternate leaves, broad,,
and of an oval form, with an acute point,,
slightly twisted, smooth, and shining. Stem
•upright. The branches above are bushy.
The bark is wrinkled, and of a light brown
colour. The flower-branches are opposite,
alternate, and straight out. The blossoms •
are alternately opposite, and purple.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A petal.
2. A chive, one tip magnified.
3. The empalement and pointal.
4. A half-ripe fruit.
THE figure of this Eugenia was made from the finest plant in this country m the hot-house of G. Hibbert
esq where we were in hopes it would have perfected its fruit j but were disappointed, as in a
very'forward state towards ripening it fell off. But, as far as it was advanced, we have represented it,
as in this climate it might probably never arrive at greater maturity, unless a larger house were constructed
for it : otherwise the degree of heat necessary to preserve the smaller tropical plants would
always be subject to injure those of a large size, from the natural extension of their roots approaching
too near the flues. But although so much care is required for it in this clime, in the warmer regions of
Macassar, Amboj'na, and the Moluccas, where it is indigenous, not the least attention is necessary ;
for, such is the extreme indolence of the natives, that it is imagined, if any care had been requisite
for'its preservation, it would soon have been lost for want of it. In the Hortus Malabaricus of Rheede
there is an uncoloured figure of it, with descriptions, in which it is said to be a fruit-tree of great
general utility to the country from its extreme abundance, grateful taste, and salubrious quality, flowerin"
twice in the year. The fruit in an unripe state is of a bitterish and rather astringent character;
bvTt when ripe, of a fine flavour, exceedingly wholesome, and beneficial as an allayer of inflammation in
feverish habits. The flowers are by the Dutch at Amboyna preserved, and frequently eaten by way of
salad. It is said to form a tall umbrageous tree, and when in fine bloom must certainly be an object
of great beauty.
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