XXX 



LETTERS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH. 



has nothing in common with Santalacese except placentation. Look 

 at it through Sphenodesma, the definite stamened Symphorema and 

 Tectona. My Hemigymnia has nearly the corolla of S. polyan- 

 drium. But I must confess that Stemonurus is an oscillating 

 genus, half Olacineous or Aurantiaceous, and half Sanlataceous, just 

 the plant that will be required sometime hereafter to fill up a gap. 

 The inferior ovary of Santalaceae is not of so much consequence 

 I think as to affect the alliance. Look at Groutia, how Santalaceous, 

 or rather Santalalis even to the peculiar membranous tube. But 

 these are indeed difficult subjects. I am hard at work on Rhizan- 

 theae, I am sanguine of upsetting the class, but then the big botanists 

 only like small ones to describe species ; if you can send me any, 

 it will be a boon. One of the most common Singapore plants is 

 a new species of Nectandra. 



The Mt. Ophir plants are in many cases very difficult. I shall very 

 soon send men out to collect, but really it is useless going so far, 

 when the forest near this is, so far as I can seCj so rich. It would be 

 impossible to go to a place where more curious forms are to be met 

 with, than at Malacca. I have given up determining Orchidete from 

 books. No order would so repay comprehensive investigation as that, 

 with all its wonderful variety. Practically speaking I dont know which 

 is worse, Vandese or Ophredeas, Lindley's great forte is in explaining 

 structure, and in condensing the views of others. Endlichers cha- 

 racters are tedious, and too indiscriminate, and his arrangement 

 founded on anatomy, is really imperfect. Arnott appears to me 

 the best after Brown in England, but only on system ; in this his 

 views are partial. He is, what I should call a laborious and learned 

 botanist. What a shame not electing him tit Glasgow to succeed 

 Hooker, for he must be infinitely superior to Balfour. Kunth, merely 

 viewed through his Agrostographia is a careless compiler ; look at 

 his medley of specific descriptions, he did not even take the trouble 

 of reducing them to one standard. He is if judged by this work, 

 one of a host of men who have not patience to sit down to any 

 thing connected. 



Calcutta: Dec. 3, 18i2. 

 Many thanks for your kind congratulations. You will see by this 

 franked latter, that I have taken charge of the Gardens, 



