TO DR. R. WIGHT, 



Ivii 



otlierwi.se it is Durionoid. Just tell me what you think of it. Tlie 

 genus is published in the Nova Acta. 



Lower Circular Road, Calcutta, July 21, 1844. 



Wallichia has curieate pinnae generally panduriform, Arenga 

 linearis, Caryota 'pinnulce cuneate. The seeds differ from the 

 others partaking of the characters of all three. I find on looking 

 into one, that the albumen is ruminate. This plant, as it has pinnate 

 leaves, settles the question of its being a new genus. I will not 

 believe that in Palms, where so much depends upon habit, that one 

 genus has both pinnate and bipinnate leaves. The seeds are perfectly 

 fresh and will be planted to-morrow. 



I will, when relieved from the cares of office here, make out a list 

 of the families, and send it to you : the whole thing will have to be 

 re-done ; but I wanted to show that I was not inattentive to what 

 zoologies were doing. What a business it will be to settle the types of 

 the families from which the names must eventually be taken ; this 

 will never be done by dried-plant botanists ; but by examination of 

 development, which I am convinced will alone give the key. I 

 never could get any one to agree with me, in Parnassia being a near 

 neighbour of Villarsia, yet I am positive I am right. 



All the OrchidesQ want revision ; subdivision having been carried to 

 an injurious excess. The Lindleyan characters will not stand many 

 years longer, and probably botanists will revert to Brown's Prodro- 

 mus ; such arbitrary characters as waxy, and pollen masses, are to- 

 tally opposed to science. I send home every sketch of mine in and 

 out of spirits to Lindley. 



I cannot guess what your sketch means ; yet I have a floating 

 idea that I have seen the plant. The ovary appears to be stalked. I 

 would put it down as Euphorbiacese. The five-celled ovary and two 

 stigmata must be, as you opine an oversight. 



I am made a corresponding member of the Hort. Society of Lon- 

 don ; and I intend whether here or at Malacca, to pay great attention 

 to their circular. 



I have received the palm leaves, which are precisely those of 



h 



