xxxvi 



LETTERS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH. 



racters was precisely yours, but in long points I ask, and generally 

 take McClelland's advice. I am aware that Botanists will not adopt 

 them, and for that reason I only intend passing over Mss. names, 

 making remarks on such as have been printed without being defined. 

 I think a few hundred names, sine charadere ! and an occasional 

 note would go along way. All my doings are only preparatory ; at 

 any rate, I hope to produce an arranged systematic work on Indian 

 Botany. I did not commence passing over mere Mss. names with- 

 out planning what will follow in case of attacks or non adoption. 

 You see it is quite impossible for me here to ascertain what plants 

 are named, except such as are described ; it therefore comes to this, 

 am I to remain inactive and postpone my intended publiction until 

 I can return home and consult the Hon'ble Co/s Harbarium in Soho 

 Square ; or, am I to go on with my work, regardless of all names not 

 founded on description ? This is my difficulty. Such names as 

 are adopted in the new edition of Steudel, I can only make 

 notes of, pointing prominently to the mischief of tlie system. 

 We are not to wait for the pointing out and correction of abuses, 

 until the leading men in science, at home, choose to begin. If I do 

 what is right plainly beneficial to science, it is the non-adopters, not 

 I, who will be to blame. But my ground for not passing over printed 

 names would be a tender feeling to science, and a wish to avoid its 

 synonymy being extended. I will remember about Rhamneae : the 

 habit is certainly in its favour, but the flower much against it. I 

 have two boxes more on their way. If I were here permanent, I 

 might hope to do something, otherwise I fear while in India, under 

 all circumstances I can make none but fugitive attempts. 

 Zanonia clavigera is Z. indica I fancy. 



I have jast received yours with the sketch of the Calamus, which 

 I dont recognise, it appears a genuine Calamus with exserted fruc- 

 tification, and no particular development of bractese. I scarcely know 

 whether to adopt D^emonorops, Plectocomia etc ; if they are adopted 

 other divisions must follow, and calamus would ultimately be res- 

 tricted to such forms as yours. I have some very curious ones, quite 

 as good genera as Daemonorops or the other, 



I shall like to see your specimens. I have put aside, Govanea 

 nivea, on the old score, that it is a name only, but nothing besides ; 

 not a word of description, not even a drawing. 



