The species ought to be arranged between the M. nitida of Linnæus and M. glandulosa of Cavanilles, from both of which the glands on the leaf and solitary gland on the pedicel easily distinguish it. In the last circumstance, however, it agrees with the M. glandulosa of Jacquin, (see his Icones, tab. 469.) but is totally different both in the flowers and foliage. A. B. Lambert, esq., from whose stove at Boyton we were favoured with the specimen, informs us that it is a shrub of very free growth, throwing out long slender twigs on all sides, and requiring the frequent use of the knife to keep it in due bounds. The bunches of flowers first appeared in November, but did not open until the beginning of April. The leaf-stalks are thinly covered with silky bristles, some of which also appear towards the base of the younger leaves.
PLATE DCV.
PELIOSANTHES TETA.
Bengal Peliosanthes, or Teta.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus. Corolla 6-partita, subrotata, laciniis lato-ovatis obtusis. Nectarium corollâ triplò breviore incumbente, ore angustato integro. Stamina sub ore nectarii affixa. Filamenta subnulla. Stylus crassus, brevis, obtusè trigonus, trisulcatus. Stigma sulculus tripartitus in apice styli. Germen inferum, 3-loculare loculis dispermis. Semina (immatura) obovata, erecta, fundo loculamenti affixa. Fructus bacca? subovata, carnosa.
Cup none. Blossom 6-parted, nearly wheel-shaped, the divisions broadly egg-shaped, blunt. Nectary three times shorter than the blossom, leaning inwards, the mouth narrowed and entire. Stamens affixed under the lip of the nectary. Filaments scarcely any. Pointal fleshy, short, bluntly three-sided, with three furrows. Stigma a little three-branched channel on the top of the pointal. Germ below, of three cells which are two-seeded. Seeds (while young) inversely egg-shaped, erect, and affixed to the bottom of the cells. Fruit a berry? nearly oval, fleshy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.