186 wight's botanical letters. 



than in N. ccerulea, but with large leaves like those of iV. 

 rubra, and like them of a dark brownish purple on the under 

 surface ;) a species, I think new, of Loranthus with very slender 

 flowers tapering to a long point during estivation, but re- 

 volute after expansion, a very pretty species of Keempfceria, 

 (perhaps K. Galanga, Roxb.,) also Alpinia Galanga, Roxb., 

 a fine Vanilla [V. aphylla of Walker,) first discovered 

 by Col. Walker in Ceylon, but of this I only found one 

 flowering specimen from which I had a drawing made. Did 

 I send you specimens of a Sccevola from Tuticoreen coast? 

 which I presume is S. oppositifolia, Roxb. I have now got 

 specimens of Sonneraiia acida, not very like Lamark's figure; 

 I observed a new apetalous species in Ceylon, but unfortu- 

 nately did not procure specimens. In the course of a few 

 days, that is, as soon as the weather will permit, (it is now 

 very bad) I start on an excursion into the interior which may 

 perhaps end in my crossing the hills to Courtallum, that 

 being a near cut home, but at present not a safe one, on ac- 

 count of the unhealthy season, and also on account of a man- 

 eating, alias philanthropic tiger, which infests that road, — 

 both bad in their way, but the first upon tiie whole the worst. 

 My next excursion is to the Pulney hills, about seven thou- 

 sand feet high, where I expect many fine things, as I hope to 

 protract my stay at least a month. At intervals, as I could 

 make time and inclination combine, I have written papers 

 for the Journal on the Courtallum Flora ; the first and second 

 were dilatations of the one Hooker has published; the third 

 and fourth contain some further remarks on the compara- 

 tive and general amount of the Indian Flora, followed by re- 

 marks on some of the orders, somethinsr after the manner ot 

 Royle's work : these seem to take, as I have recently receiv- 

 ed letters from several strangers who are disposed to com- 

 mence studying Botany, and they will therefore be continued. 

 I hope I shall improve as I go on. I have also promised the 

 editor fijxures and descriptions of new and interesting plants: 

 but this is not quite so easy a task, as I experience niucn 

 difficulty in determining my plants accurately from want ut 



