TO DR. R. WIGHT. 



Xi 



India, on this side the Rajmahal Hills is so bare of forest, that 

 few places would afford a flora extending beyond a few hundred 

 species, chiefly of such herbaceous forms as are connected with cul- 

 tivation. Loodianah being in 31^ North, has some European forms, 

 a Linaria, Reseda, Medicago, Alisma, Sparganium, Typha foliis an- 

 gustis, Farsetia Hamiltonii, Lithospermum etc : but as you correspond 

 with Edgeworth, perhaps he has told you all. Scarcely a tree have 

 I seen any where except a Mango, or Peepul, or such like. The 

 country is generally covered, particularly along the Indus and 

 its streams with Tamarix, of which Tamarix Furas is a beautiful 

 coniferous looking tree : what a name, Furas ! when one so applicable 

 as cupressoides might have been given. Around this plain which is 

 in 27^ 55' nothing is to be seen but Tamarix, Acacia modesta 

 and another still more interesting Acacea, Ziziphus, Calotropis Ha- 

 miltonii etc , yet I have found some (to me) novelties which have 

 afforded me some occupation lately. The best were a Phascum 

 and a Poplar-like tree, which I suppose is Liquidambar, although 

 as usual, it disowns its character. In two or three weeks however, 

 I hope to get into a richer country, as they say, after crossing a 

 ramification of the descent, we shall then come into a cold climate, 

 and within six weeks I hope to be in Affghanistan, where I shall 

 work hard, as I shall get abundance of European orders, Umbelliferse 

 etc. of which so little is known. I am happy to think I have an 

 independent appointment, and all the authorities, thanks to Lord 

 Aukland, seem inclined to give me every assistance. At present I 

 am with the Envoy, whom I accompanied down the river, and who is, 

 independent of his high rank, unquestionably a man to command 

 our utmost respect. I have just heard from McClelland, for the first 

 time since I have left Calcutta : He tells me you have finished 

 Camelliacese ; I find that you agree with me about Thea and Camel- 

 lia : and that you have some capital remarks about the modern 

 way of breaking up genera. I am more persuaded every day of 

 the necessity of a complete reform in Botany. The idea of a sub- 

 genus is good, but few are aware of what should constitute a sub- 

 genus, or a genus. When I consider the little that is known of 

 affinities lam quite ashamed of Botanists. I verily believe that half of 

 our orders are misplaced, I must remember however, that my opinions 

 are founded on imperfect experience. I wish we had a book on the 



