208 Dr. Francis Hamilton's Commentary 



The younger Burman by some strange error quoted the Mallam Toddali for 

 the Rhamnus Napeca (Fl. Lid. 60.) ; but he also properly quoted it {Fl. Ind. 

 218.), when he adopted from tlie Species Plantarum the specific name Celtis 

 orientalis. He there quoted Plumier without doubt, but left out the plant of 

 Sloane, as he ought to have done with the other, and as has been done by 

 M. Lamarck {Enc. Mdth. iv. 138.). 



This excellent botanist perceived a resemblance between the Celtis orientalis 

 and the Papyrius spurius of Ksempfer, which, however, I have not been able 

 to trace in the 5th Fasciculus of the Amanitates Exoticce ; nor does Thunberg 

 quote Kaempfer for his Celtis orientalis {Fl. Jap. 114.) : M. Lamarck, indeed, 

 quotes him with doubt. This is also done by Willdenow (Sp. PI. iv. 996.), 

 who leaves out the American plants quoted by Linnaeus, and seems to doubt 

 of Plukenet's, as he gives it only on the authority of Burman. 



The Mallam Toddali may therefore be considered as the only authority for 

 the Celtis orientalis ; but it is doubtful whether the specimens which Will- 

 denow possessed belonged to the same plant ; for in the specific character he 

 says, " folia subtus cana," while Rheede says, " folia superne atro-viridia, in- 

 ferne subviridia." Dr. Roxburgh does not quote the Hortus Malaharicus for 

 his Celtis orientalis {Hart. Beng. 21.) ; and the plant called C. orientalis in 

 the botanical garden at Calcutta has folia subtus scabra, ad nervos tantum 

 majores pilosa. Unless, therefore, several species have_been included under 

 the name C. orientalis, we must admit that it is a plant subject to very con- 

 siderable variations ; and I have given to the library at the India House spe- 

 cimens of five trees, all as varieties of the C. orientalis. Some at least of these 

 may prove to be distinct species ; but in the mean time I shall here give 

 such an imperfect account of them as I was able to collect in travelling ; for I 

 had no opportunity of tracing each in all the stages of its growth. They 

 are called Jivani in the Sanscrita, Jibana in the Bengalese, and Tilayi in 

 the Hindwi dialects. 



1. Celtis orientalis, a. 



Celtis orientalis. IVilld. Sp. PI. iv. 995. 

 Habitat ad pagos et sylvis Camrupse. 

 Folia trinervia, supra scabra, subtus tomento cano, moUi pubescentia. 



