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



The two figured in plate 18 vol. 5, are plain enough and well 

 known, fig. 1, the Camunium Chinense, Roxb. quite distinct from 

 the others, fig. 2, the Murraya exotica. All the confusion has 

 been with reference to the true Kamooning, t. IT. which has most 

 unaccountably by Lamarck and others been supposed the same with 

 Murraya, in the face of Rumphius's figure and of Loureirb's des- 

 cription, who distinguishes the two very well. I am not pleased 

 with any of the names they have borne. Murraya exotica is an 

 absurd appellation, and Cha-lcas paniculata is a false name as it 

 happens not to be panicled, which is abundantly evident from the 

 fig. of Rumphius. They belong to the same genus, and are dis- 

 tinguished by the one being a tree, furnishing the wood most 

 highly valued by the Malays for making the handles of Kreeses, 

 having ovate acuminate leaves, and the flowers 1-3 from the axils 

 of the superior leaves. The other the exotica having blunt thick 

 leaves and panicled flowers (ni fallor) and not exceeding a shrub. 

 I suspect Loureiro's other distinction of Baccce 2 and 1-spermae 

 will not be found sufficiently constant. 



What is known about the two species of Sagus put down in 

 the garden, viz. inermis and spinosa? 1 * 9 Had Roxb. any descrip- 

 tion of them, and what is the S. Eumphii in the appendix? Sir 



J. E. Smith does not attempt to clear up the matter. Do you 

 know what Rottboll says of them? he is quoted in the Act. Dun. 

 I think I have two of Rumph's species, the one armed the other 

 unarmed. I have the fruit only of the latter but both are planted 

 here. The specimen 213 is I find, the Aegiceras fragrans Konig. 

 Am. Bot., and figured in Eheede vol. 6. 150 How could it possibly 

 have ever been placed under Rhizophora? I see Roxburgh calls 

 Yolkamevia inermis Linn. Clerodendron littoreumj is that sanc- 

 tioned by any other authority? it is a much better name than 

 inerme, and I feel much inclined to adopt it: I think two species 

 have been confounded under it. specimens of which have been sent 

 you, one, 204, fol. oralis, pedunc. avillar. trichotomis. The other 

 fol. lanceolatiSj ped. a.riJJ. trifloris. 151 



Mr. Xicolson, a gentleman who has purchased a nutmeg plan- 

 tation here, goes up by this opportunity. I have therefore request- 

 ed him to take charge of the few specimens I have ready, and 



149. It is thought that Eoxburgh had only got races or conditions 

 of the common Sago palm which he distinguished under these two names. 

 S. Eumphii which is named next is according to some the Sago palm of 

 Eastern Malaya : but others do not distinguish it from the Western or 

 common Sago palm. 



150. Aegiceras fragrans is A. majus. Gaertn., a common coast plant 

 of Malaya. The number indicates that it was obtained by Jack in Penang. 

 where it is common. 



151. Some regard these as varieties of Clerodendron inerme, Bentlu 

 whereunder is then included C. neriifolium. Wall.: others separate them. 

 Bumpf had C. neriifolium as Jasminum littoreum. whence Eoxburgh 's 

 Clerodendron littoreum. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



