29 



ture of the sugar arises from the presence of great quantities 

 of raphidcs, that is internal microscopical crystals, (not of 

 oxalate of lime) ; it appears that such crystals are found ex- 

 clusively in the parenchyma of the ascending part of the 

 plant ; that is to say, in the above-ground part of the root, 

 and in the stems and leaves. The quantity of such crystals 

 is affected essentially by the soil in which the plants are 

 cultivated ; in highly manured, rich soil, frequently watered, 

 they are found to exist to the amount of 1^ per cent., which 

 was rather more than the quantity of sugar contained in the 

 leaves examined. The sugar was found by M. Dccaisne to be 

 secreted exclusively in the parenchyma, and in a limpid state. 



Illustrations of Indian Botany, by Robert Wight, M.D. 4to. Madras, 1838 ' 

 published in numbers, each containing 8 coloured plates, with appropriate 

 letter-press. 



Of this work six numbers have reached me. It is 

 executed on the plan of Roylc's Illustrations, and is intended 

 to bring the Botany of India before the people of India in a 

 cheap and interesting shape, an object which there can be 

 no doubt that it will accomplish. The price is so moderate 

 that it is secure of a remunerating sale, and there is there- 

 fore no room to doubt that Dr. Wight will complete his 

 undertaking. The plates are executed in lithography, and 

 are characteristic of the plants ; if they want the neatness 

 and finish of European works, they fully answer the purpose 

 for which they are destined. It is impossible not to regard 

 this work as one of the many means which are now silently, 

 but surely, working in harmony towards the great national 

 end of improving the resources of the British possessions in 

 India. One of the great obstacles to this important object, 

 so far as the vegetable kingdom is concerned, has been the 

 difficulty of ascertaining to what plants the native names of 

 useful products really apply. Like all vernacular names, 

 those of India are uncertain and unstable ; the same name 

 being given to one plant in one province, and to another in 

 some other province. One of the results of Dr. Wight's work 

 will be to enable residents in India to give plants their scien- 

 tific names, and thus to render certain and precise what must 

 otherwise be most uncertain and deceptive. 



Among the more curious plants illustrated in the first 

 six numbers, are species of the genera Acrotrema, Schuma- 

 cheria, Hydnocarpus, Xauthophyllum, Hugonia, Hopea, 



