200 Wl.'ijn'^i BOTANICAL LKTTEKS. 



out mvself for those we have not. I have met with two if not 

 three species oiCuscuta, one the other day on the hills, but not 

 in a very good state ; it seems to prefer the Guatteria ovalifolia 

 as its domicile; the flowers are rather large and prettily speck- 

 led. I have at length detected flowers of the Vacciyiium? men- 

 tioned above, and enclose you a small drawing of it; it forms 

 a large tree with a short trunk, and many large spreading 

 branches, leaves somewhat coriaceous and glabrous, flowers 

 white. To-day I have procured fruit of a Magnolia^ but the 

 tree looks somewhat different from the one I saw on the tops 

 of the hills, so that I cannot at present, without examination, 

 decide if it be the same; the carpels burst down anteriorly 

 from top to bottom, and not transversely, which I believe 

 makes the difference between Magnolia and Michelia; that 

 which I got to day is a noble tree. What makes me 

 think it not distinct from the species on the hills is, that the 

 number of seeds, together with one or two that are abortive, 

 (but of which I see the remains.) correspond to the number, 

 of 3 — 5 ovules, in the other. Yesterday's herborizing yielded 

 me a few specimens of what 1 consider a new Parnassia ; it 

 has capitate glands by way of nectaries, and very small 

 flowers. But you must have patience about getting speci- 

 mens of these tilings, for I know not when I shall see them 

 again myself. I send all off in a few days to Palam- 

 cottah, and continue my journey ; !)ut be my return soon or 

 late, I shall not relax my efforts to improve on the past. 

 When I came to that part of your letter in which you speak 

 of seeds, I could not avoid exclaiming "et tu Brute P' for in 

 truth these are the pests of my life ; people suppose tliat 

 there is nothing more easy than for a Botanist to collect 

 seeds : according to my experience, nothing is more difficult. 

 There is the widest possible difference between seeds on a 

 specimen, and seeds per se: the one I always look for, the 

 other I never think of, and have made and broken so many 

 promises on that point, that 1 fear to make more. I shall 

 however do what I can both for you and De Lessert. I have 

 at present three plant collectors, all as bad as myself at col- 



