OF THE HERBARIUM AMBOINENSE. 2!97 
marck, although his figure makes the nerves appear stronger 
than they do in Dr Fleming's plant. 
The Arbor alba major Javanica, from its growing erect 
like a Spruce Fir {Picea), from its delighting in plains near 
the banks of rivers, and from the superiority of its timber 
and odcMir, surely ought to be considered as a distinct spe- 
cies, as Dr Roxburgh has done, calling it Melaleuca Cqju- 
puti. Whether or not Dr Fleming had sufficient reason 
for concluding that the cajeput oil is procured from this 
tree, I cannot say ; but I place great confidence in his ac- 
curacy. Further, M. Desrousseaux had received informa- 
tion that the cajeput oil is the produce of a broad-leaved 
Melaleuca, which confirms the opinion of Dr Fleming ; for 
this must be the plant, the Arbor alba major Amboinensis 
producing no such oil. It is besides to be remarked, that 
Rumphius attributes to the Arbor alba of Java a greater 
degree of aromatic quality than to the Arbor alba major of 
Amboina, — on which account, indeed, he is disposed to con- 
sider it as more nearly allied to the Arbor alba minor; but 
this^ although it yields an oil (" tenue pellucidum ac sub- 
tile'') is certainly a distinct species ; for it has three nerves 
in its leaf, and is only a large bush, — while the plant of 
Java is a tree with five strong nerves in its leaf ; besides, 
the oil of the Amboina plant, being pellucid, is probably 
different from the Cajeput, which is green,- — a circumstance 
that Rumphius would not have failed to notice. I have 
sent to the India House specimens of Dr Fleming's plant, 
from whence the European botanist may readily judge 
whether or not it is in fact a distinct species. 
