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



I found a day or two ago, a singular Decandrous Legumi- 

 nous shrub, of which I can make nothing. 110 The marginal 

 scratch 117 may give an idea of it. The calyx tubular with a flat 

 4-parted limb, the two opposite divisions larger: one single petal, 

 erect ungulate with a snbrotund lamina. Three long fertile sta- 

 mina, seven short abortive. Germen pedicellate, pedicel of the 

 length of the calyx and concrete with it. Style as long as stamina. 

 Legume large, flat, few-seeded. Flowers in terminal corymbs 

 Leaves pinnate with two pairs without an odd one. Folioles sub- 

 rotund marginate. 



I have a favor to ask of Mrs. Wallich which I hope she will 

 be able to grant without much trouble. I have promised to pro- 

 cure for Lady Baffles a copy of the music of the Persian air " Tareh 

 ba tareh " I believe Mrs. Wallich plays it. And if she would be 

 so good as to take the trouble to copy it I will be greatly obliged. 

 Perhaps she would increase the favor by adding any other good 

 Hindostanee Airs. 



Lady R. is a superlative performer, and I should like to hear 

 some of these tunes with the advantage of her execution. 



Both Sir S. and Lady R. frequently desire to be remembered 

 to you, oftener than I remember to record it, so you must always 

 take it for granted to be understood if not expressed in like 

 manner as the affectionate regard with which I am always. My 

 dear Wallich. Y ours very truly. 



William Jack. 



P.S. I have written up the country to order down some things 

 I left behind me, to your address and care. I will be much obliged 

 if you will take the trouble to receive and forward them. 



My dear Wallich, Singapore, June 18th, 1819. 



Since I closed my letter I have got one of Thetis's drinking 

 cups to send you, a huge crateriform Spongioid Zoophyte. They 

 have been brought of various sizes, some larger than the present 

 one. If it should not particularly interest you, perhaps Col. 

 Hardwicke would like it, 118 and as I have not yet sent him any- 

 thing it will just serve to show that I am not quite unmindful. 

 I have found it convenient to occupy myself very little with Zoo- 

 logy, as it seems to be expected that every thing in that depart- 

 ment should go to the Frenchmen, and I perceive a kind of jealous 

 feeling on their part. I shall probability be more at liberty when 

 I get to Bencoolen. They have been very industrious, but T 

 shall take another opportunity of telling you more about them. 

 You know them pretty well. They are not deficient in vanity but 

 it does not meet with much consideration among us. 



116. Afselia retusa, Kurz, or perhaps the doubtfully distinct Afselia 

 bijuga, A. Gray. 



117. Not reproduced. 



118. This specimen was described by Colonel Hardwicke in the four- 

 teenth volume of the AsiaticJc Researches, p. 180, under the title A descrip- 

 tion of a Zoophyte commonly found about the Coasts of Singapore Island. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



