wight's botanical LETTF.ltS. 177 



the other a very curious one, quite sessile, and the flowers 

 covered outside with a verv thick coating of mucilage, wliich 

 renders it difficult of preservation. I have a Blachcellia 

 {Court. Coll. n. 734), but I have not yet ascertained the 

 species. There was a species of Pathos, nearly as big as 

 P. cawc/ai'aof Wallich, PI. liar. As.; perhaps it is P. pertitsa, 

 but I had neither Rheede nor Roxburgh to compare it with 

 at the time, and I have not since examined it ; it is a very 

 large species, creeping on the ground, and found in very 

 moist shady places. My collection of Orchidece is very rich, 

 that is, compared with what I have hitherto seen in this 

 country, and it might have been much better, could I have 

 extended my excursions or remained longer there, as there 

 W'ere many not yet in flower. The Eitphorbiacece are very 

 abundant; some new general have already ascertained, 

 but most of these remain yet to be examined. Legumi- 

 nos(B form a small portion of the collection, owing to the 

 season not having been suflficiently advanced, but I am not 

 without hopes of improving this department in a month or 

 two, as I recognised many not yet in flower. Pycnospora I 

 found in abundance on the grassy parts of the hills, always 

 in turf-soi]. RubiacecB are very abundant, and I have met 

 with several new ones, or at least species not considered as 

 entitled to a place in our Prodromus. 1 have collected plenty 

 of Lagerstrcemia parvifiora, a most beautiful tree when in 

 flower, also of Salacia oblonga, both in flowers and fruit ; the 

 fruit is nearly as large as a good-sized apple, and contains 

 several seeds; the plant is a considerable siirub, or even 

 small tree. There was a very distinct species of Ternstroemia, 

 and a very curious Sapindaceous plant {Court. Coll. n. 736), 

 which at first I thought might be a Salacia, from the form of 

 the fruit. Ancistiocladits is really abundant on the hills, and 

 Hiptage madablota on the plains ; H. parvijblia 1 have also 

 got, but did not gather it myself. The calyx of Ancistrocla- 

 diis I find to grow with the fruit, like that of the Diptero- 

 carpecs, but I have not yet had an opportunity of examining 

 the fruit when recent. I expect however, you will find good 

 Vol. III.—No. 20. 2 A 



