xxxviii 



LETTERS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH 



has some odd approximations to llhizophorese and Cunoniaceae, 

 to which last, I am disposed to refer it. But the habit is totally 

 opposed to the former, and to such of the latter as I know. If 

 Cunoniaceous, it is the third genus of that Family, I have from Mal- 

 lacca. I see among your specimens Rottlera niveo, Givotia Rottler- 

 informis Gr. 



Zanonia clavigera is now before me I In the first place, would 

 you adopt a Mss. name which has been published, but without being 

 defined : it is clearly contrary to law, and not binding And if I 

 thought Botanists would support me, I would commence passing over 

 all such. 



Then pray let me quickly know what you mean by invertion 

 of carpel leaves, do you mean the mid rib to be next the axis, the 

 margins outward. If so, Zanonia is against you, for here you would 

 require the placentae to be external, the style etc internal, which 

 manifestly is not the case. There is no difficulty I think in explain- 

 ing Zanonia, Nevertheless there are some odd things connected 

 with Cucurbitaceae, on which I intend entering at length, sooner or 

 later. 



I can make nothing of the Calamus drawing horewitli returned ; 

 the species are in sad confusion, and Martius's characters of most, 

 not quite sufficient. I keep the genus entire. If characters of the 

 spathe are relied on, one might make a dozen genera ; these I make 

 sub genera. I intend beginning with them in the next Journal, 

 giving the whole of the tribe if nothing hinders me, but I have 

 an infinity to do just now. I am putting specimens of the most 

 interesting genera aside for you, with the Cyrthandraceae and Eri- 

 cinese as I meet with them. 



I am all absorbed in Menispermeae, having flown from Palms at 

 a tangent. Can you tell me whether M. heteroclitum of Roxb. 

 has been appropriated by any one, it is a very distinct genus. 



What is Lindley's Pereira. M. fenestratum ? Can you from me- 

 mory, refer me to useful Indian authors on this head. 



M. fenestratum comes closest on Phytocrene : indeed the habit3, 

 and heads of females are precisely alike. If you can rummage me 

 out bits of your Indian Menispermeae. I will send you a set of 

 our Garden ones etc. It is a very interesting family. 



