1838.]: 



Sketch of the Malayan Peninsula, 



75. 



tion somewhat resembling that of the t abas htr found in the joints of 

 the bamba. Perhaps some of my readers now in the Straits will as- 

 certain whether this be the fact ; and if so, for A ard specimens of this 

 singular substance to the Societ3^ On the higher zones of the hills 

 are found rhododendrons, the cypress, fir, and a variety of beautiful 

 ferns. Some specimens, which I brouglit from the summit of Mount 

 0[)hir in 1833, were examined by Dr. Wallich, who furnislied the fol- 

 lowing note upon tnem (Jour. As. Soc. for Jan. 1834, p. 48). 



" The specimens from Mount Ophir, with which I was favoured the 

 day before yesterday, consist of two ferns, three Lycopodinece, and 

 two PhcEnogomous plants. They are not in a good state of preserva- 

 tion, and only one has any fructification, but they are nevertheless 

 very valuable, and I feel greatly obliged to Lieut. Newbold for 

 them. The most interesting among them is a specimen full of good 

 Kori of Matonia peclinata, Brovv'n, published in 1830, in Plantas Asi" 

 aticcB Rariores, vol. 1. p. 16, table 16, from a specimen, unique in Eu- 

 rope, which was gathered in the identical locality by Col. Farquhar. 

 The individual now before me beautifully confirms the generic charac- 

 'tei- and general observations relative to this remarkable fern, which, 

 were politely supplied for the above work by Mr. Brown ; in shape 

 it differs in having a bifid frond, the pinnte being unilateral towards 

 the bifurcation. The other fern may perhaps be a Blechnum-. The 

 Lijcopoeinece are very curious, and belong seemingly to new species. 

 Of the PhcEuogamous plants, one is exceedingly remarkable. It has 

 the habit of some members of the coniferous, as well as the myriceous^. 

 -tribe ; the structure of the wood obviously brings it under the former ; 

 the leaves are acerose, opposite, and glan-d-dotted. Perhaps it is a 

 Dacryoliam, The other plant belongs perhaps to-tlie family of EvicecBP 



Of spices, the wild nutmeg is indigenous. The true nutmeg, cinna- 

 mon and cloves have been long introdaced and thrive well. The to- 

 bacco plant, cotton, coffee, sugar-cane, the pepper-vine and tlie true 

 ^ndigo plant. Indigo fevo. tinctoria are cultivated with much success.. 

 The AJarsdenia tuicloria, the Taravi Akkar of Malays, a climbing 

 species of indigo, grows wild. Native catalogues of Malayan llowers, 

 plants, shrubs, grasses,, fruit and forest trees, will be shortly forwarded 

 to the Society, together with native lists of quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, 

 fishes and shells.* 



Of our political relations with the stales of the Malayan Peninsula, 

 their extent and boundaries, I have already given an outline in the 

 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. 5, p. 626. 



* PuWi.^licd in the Apvendix to tins Number. —iicZt/ci'v 



