Iviii 



LETTERS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH. 



Arenga. Many thanks for your information regarding the two seeds, 

 and that those belonging to the leaf-giving specimen, have solid al- 

 bumen. So the plant is an Arenga, and I propose calling it after 

 you : it is interesting, as Arengse have up to this time been archi- 

 pelagine. Pray now tell me whether it is monoecious or dioecious : it 

 ought to be monoecious. Your answer will arrive in time for the 

 continuation of the Palms. I shall keep the rest of the Arecas etc. for 

 the last, or third part. I suppose the ruminate seeded one will be 

 a Caryota of a new species, as C. urens has much rounder seeds, 

 and different albumen. Did I tell you that I have already got a 

 second stemless Phoenix, much like P, acaulis, but with narrower 

 leaves, and exserted fruit spathes. I mentioned Parnassia and Villar- 

 sia years ago to Mr, Brown and Dr. Lindley, but never got an an- 

 swer ; in all the collections sent home, I have put them together, the 

 chief objection is the albumen. The polypetalism is nothing. 



Never mind what I said about the Sarcanthus ; the fact is, the Van- 

 deous genera are so difficult, that unless I got a very marked one 

 I would eschew the subject until I could go over them all together : 

 this appears to me one of the secrets of success : work up a whole 

 family, and then publish any part of it. But most botanists work up 

 solitary species and genera, looking to published characters for their 

 ideas of the congeners. Now it is quite impossible for a man to be guid- 

 ed by books if he wishes to be prominent ; and so I never look at a 

 book until all my own work is out of hand. I would like much 

 taking up Indian Orchidese, and would do so, were I at the gardens. 

 The little Eria is a beauty ; the genus has been published ; but I for- 

 get the name ; the bulbs are beautiful, without doubt ; I send some 

 overland. 



By all means, keep your eye on the Utricularioid plant, there is an 

 old Aroideous plant 1 believe like it. It is among such singular mi- 

 nute things that we are to look for a host of wonders. But regard- 

 ing Utriculariae, vrhat a state of confusion the species seem to be in : 

 I doubt much whether the family would not advantageously merge 

 into Scrophularinse, so also of Orobancheae. 



I am now at work on Cantors Chusan plants, I have a few ge- 

 nera of the Zanonia section of Cucurbitaceae, some remarks on the 

 Tea of Assam, and a new Ternstroemiacese genus, and some remarks 

 on Haraamelidsse. My Bootan Corylopsis is a fourth species, being 



