C. A. BARBER 137 



The following are the varieties thus far grown at Coimbatore and, after 

 examination, placed in these two groups. For more exact details as to 

 locality and synonymy, Section V may be referred to (pp. 34 and 35). 



Saretha Group : Punjab, Katha, LaJri, Kansar, Mesangan ; United 

 Provinces, Rakd, Ramui, Chin, Chunnee, Barauhha, Buna Chnnnee, Saretha 

 (brown), Saretha (green) ; Bihar, Chynia, Jaganathia ; Bengal, Khari ; Bombay, 

 Kalkga ; Mysore, Ganda Cheni ; Madras, Hullu Kabbu. 



Sunnabile Group : Punjab, Dhaulu, Teru, Ekar ; United Provinces, 

 Rakhra, Kaghzc ; As.sam, Putli Khajee, Mojorah ; Central Provinces, Dhor ; 

 Bonibay, Bansi, Sunnabile, Kliadga ; Mysore, Hotte Cheni ; Madras, Naanal. 



In the description of the prototypes of these two groups, Katha anrl 

 Dhaulu, it was noted that some of the differences were equally remarkable for 

 their minute character and their apparent constancy. The same has held in 

 the present study. We have not received much help from characters usually 

 employed in botanical systematic work, such as differen.ces in the floral organs 

 and size of organs and plants, but have been dependent on a series of minute 

 h)cal differences, a well known occurrence in the separation of closely allied 

 cultivated varieties. Thus, in all of the Saretha group, there is a minute black 

 incrustation on the rind, as if it had been, attacked by a small mite, whereas 

 this is entirely absent in the Sunnabile group. The density of bloom is greater 

 in the Saretha group but the blackening of this bloom by fun.gus is much sharper 

 and more circumscribed in the Sunnabile group. Minute characters of this 

 kind thus become of prime importance in classification, just as the greater 

 liability of certain classes of canes to different fungus attacks. Thickness of 

 stem aiad size and vigour of plant seem to be of n.o value, in that, in each series, 

 we pass from the smallest and thinnest canes in. Lidia to great growths with 

 difficulty distinguished from luxuriant tropical canes. And the very insistence 

 of these insignificant characters, in canes so widely differing in external appear- 

 ance and extending through such wide stretches of country un.der such different 

 climatic an.d cultural conditions, does but add to their importance. Other 

 characters than those mentioned above, which have helped to diefcinguish the 

 two groups are :^The presence or abt^ence of the groove, the brown colora- 

 tion on the stem, the arrangement and frequency of the corky hues (ivory 

 markin.gs) on the stem, the presence of the scar band and scar line, the bursting 

 of buds, whether apical or dorsal, the character of hairs on the bud, the colour 

 of the edges of the young leaf -sheath, the presence or absence of sphiy hairs 

 on the back of the leaf-sheath, the venation of the leaf-sheath, the extent to 

 which the leaf-sheath clasps the stem at its base, the character of the ligular 



