THE 



iSalsutU Journal 



OF 



NATURAL HISTORY, 



Synopsis of the Genera of Indian Composite, translated and abridged 

 from DeCandolle' s Prodromus — with a few additions and occasional 

 Notes. By Robert Wight, M.D., F.L.S., fyc. 



INTRODUCTION. 



[The following Synopsis was prepared as a supplement to the arti- 

 cle Composite for my Illustrations of Indian Botany. Sometime 

 after its completion, having a number of Compositous plants to 

 name, I found it of much easier use and more convenient in practice, 

 than the inestimable volumes from which it is extracted. This 

 almost unlooked for result has induced me to send it for pub- 

 lication in the Calcutta Journal, in the hope — I had almost said con- 

 viction — that it will prove the means of saving Indian Botanists, 

 engaged in the study of this vast and most difficult family, a good 

 deal of labour and time, and occasionally probably, some vexatious 

 uncertainty, in their attempts to determine the genus of an unknown 

 Composite. If this hope and wish is fulfilled, my object is gained, 

 as in that case our knowledge of the Indian division of a most dis- 

 heartening family to study, will extend as the facilities for its study 

 increase. 



It will be seen by those who take the trouble to compare my 

 characters with the originals, that I have generally departed consider- 



VOL. VII. NO. XXVII. OCTOBER, 1846. 2 P 



