87 Observations on the Flora of Courtalkim. [April 



the tropics, or on their confines. Those of New Holland 

 attain the highest latitude, extending as far as 34o south. 



These two examples, though not the most pointed that 

 might have been selected, are, for the present, sufficient to 

 illustrate this important feature of vegetable distribution 

 over the globe. I say important, because it is one which at 

 once enables the botanist to tell from the inspection of a col- 

 lection of plants, from any part of the globe, and without 

 any collateral information, the character of the soil and 

 climate, the chances of success which would attend the in- 

 troduction of valuable exotics, or of the removal of such as 

 it might possess to countries more favourably situated for 

 turning them to the best account. 



Other and not less important information is occasionally 

 deducible from the examination of the vegetable products of 

 a country ; such as the probable salubrity or otherwise of 

 its climate : whether the hills attain an elevation, sufficient 

 to place them beyond the reach, of that almost constant at- 

 tendant on exuberant tropical vegetation, when unchecked 

 by cultivation — Jungle fever. 



Such are a few of the benefits that flow from that, most 

 erroneously so called, dry study of Botany, even when studi- 

 ed in its dryest form — in the cabinet — from dried specimens 

 of plants. I must not however be so far misunderstood, as 

 to be supposed to assert, that, from such data, correct con- 

 clusions can always be attained, since it is well known that 

 this country presents an anomaly, strikingly at variance with 

 the general rule, the cause of which remains still unexplain- 

 ed. I allude to the difference that exists, between the hill 

 jungles of the northern and southern extremities of the 

 peninsula, in regard to their healthy and unhealthy seasons,* 



* I may here observe that the direction of the wind has a great influ- 

 ence on the healthiness of Courtallum. On my first arrival here, about 

 three weeks ago, the weather was fine and the climate most salubrious, 

 the wind being at that time about N. N. E. A week ago it shifted round 

 to S. E. and instantly the sickly season commenced, and so energetical- 

 ly, that in less than three days almost every member of the party, near- 

 ly 20 in number, was more or less affected, some very severely, with 

 feverish complaints* 



