162 JACK'S LETTERS TO WALLICH, 1819-1821. 



to be engraved, which I think it will not even require the aid of 

 gallantry to induce you to do. 



This is the very land of Melastomce, I cannot tell you how 

 many species I have got, many I think new, though some perhaps 

 Roxburghian. 



Have you not established a genus Oyathospermum? I have 

 some recollection of you speaking about some Sylhet plants which 

 you had so named; I shall enclose in this, a section of the seed 

 of a Eubiaceous plant I found here only in seed, whose structure 

 is so peculiar, that I think it may be your genus from the name. 



I enclose some ripe capsules of a diandrous plant, habitu 

 didynamioid, which has puzzled me a little. I most distinctly 

 recollect your Nepaul Koom Koom, which you referred to Incar- 

 villea, but I think the capsules of this plant resemble it. The 

 placentae are so peculiarly reflected, that they appear to be four 

 celled; 40 I have met with two or three species. It seems to have 

 an affinity to Boea. 



I have also a new species of Cookia or Wampi* 1 differing 

 from the common one in having long tomentose leaves, consisting 

 of 10 or 12 pairs of very inequilateral pinnae, and small greenish 

 flowers whose petals are pellucidly punctate in the same manner 

 as the leaves. 



I have found two very splended Alpinias, which I believe you 

 have in the gardens, the A. mutica and punicea* 2 of Roxburgh. 

 The latter is particularly beautiful, throwing up its crimson stars 

 at the very surface of the ground, and its noble leafy stems by 

 their sides. I have also a smaller species which may be new. 



Feb. loth — Sir Stamford is returned, and there is a vessel 

 going to Bengal to-night or tomorrow morning. I have prepared 

 with all possible ex. a packet of specimens for you which, though 

 selected and put up in haste, will I think please you, and give 

 you some idea of our Penang flora. 



I hope they will keep, for I have put none that are not quite 

 dry. Among them you will find : — 



two species of Sonerila, one Roxburgh's moluccana* 3 the other 

 my new one, which from its habit might I think be called S. 

 erecta 4i of which I send you seeds, 



40. It is clear that he is referring to a Didymocarpus: and it would 

 be to one of the three described by him from Penang viz. D. crinita. D. 

 reptans and D. frutescens. 



41. Clausena excavata, Burm., probably, which is common on the 

 coast of Penang. 



42. Alpinia mutica, see note No. 32 and Alpinia punicea see note 

 No. 33. 



43. Sonerila moluccana, Boxb. Flora Indica, i. p. 170. 



44. S. erecta, Jack. Vide note No. 32. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



