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LETTERS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH. 



it must be a text book to all concerned with the Indian Flora-, 

 from its presenting the grand desideratum of representations of all 

 our Indian orders. I had contemplated something of the sort my- 

 self, but now it would be a work of supererogation. 



We reached this place yesterday, but as Capt. Jenkins has not yet 

 arrived or written, I cannot yet tell you my movements. I have just 



read Botany in Cycloyaedia it is very interesting 



but wholly unnecessary : being merely a compilation from DC. and 

 Lindley, without their philosophy. Why dont you give in your 

 work, analyses of the genera, in writing at least of the more diffi- 

 cult orders. I can make but little of Auonaceae, the genera of 

 which are unsatisfactory. I have one or two new genera. Lind- 

 leys explanation of Hyalostemma is wrong, it has a 6 leaved calyx 

 and a three-lobed monopetalous corolla, not as Dr. Lindley observes, 

 a three-lobed calyx surrounded by a leaved involucre. Lindley gives 

 too, as a generic character, the valvular ssstivation of the perianth, 

 which seems to me to be general in the order. Of Menispermi, I have 

 some curious plants. It is a very difficult order, and particularly pro- 

 voking on account of its unisexuality. Do you know Natsiatum ? I do 

 not, but I have a monopetalous Menispermea, having the corolla ur- 

 ceolate 5 partite, but I have never seen the female. Can this be Ha- 

 miltons plant. I cannot mention the numerous singular plants I 

 have, as I do not know them myself: If I go to Calcutta I shall by 

 favour, publish in the Physical Research of the Asiatic Society, with 

 outline pen sketches. I shall commence on the voyage down with 

 Ericinese and Vaccinese, so I will trouble you for a look at some of 

 your arborescent ex-epiphytical species of the latter order. I cannot 

 be too thankful for your promises of plants, and I hope to repay you 

 in such a manner that your herbarium shall be among the richest of 

 all Indian herbaria. Tour proposal of working harder than you have 

 hitherto laboured is capital, I always looked on you as a giant in 

 this particular. Methodism I can't bear, nor do I think that it is 

 attainable. I dread commencing my work, for what in the name of 

 heaven am I to do with regard to the strict determination of spe- 

 cies in India, where there is no herbarium to consult, and 



when 's drawing are all in England. I have a preface in my 



minds eye, in which I shall plainly state my difficulties, in this particu- 

 lar, expose the silly vanity of naming plants without giving them 



