eye; for had he been a writer and not a drawer, before 1800, in great probability we should have known nearly as much of embryogeny as we do now.  But he shut his portfolio, and folks went on believing the old fovivillose doctrine and bursting of the pollen, which, his observations of the pollens’ inner membrane, would have destroyed at once.  Then with regard to Orchideae and Asclepiadeae, he was equally in advance:  it would be a rich treat if some one would come forward and publish a selection from his drawings, without a word of letterpress.”

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Calcutta:  February 11th, 1844.

“Mr. Bauer’s light is not yet set on the hill.  Really when I look back at his works I am lost in admiration, and always regret that he worked more for others than for himself, and that he did not use his pen as freely as he did his brush.  When, in the name of all that is generous, will great men think that true greatness consist in endeavouring to make others more prominent than themselves?”

For some years before his death, Mr. Griffith would appear to have had a presentiment that he would not be spared to complete the description of all his collections.  On one occasion, when enumerating those who might contribute most efficiently to this object, in the event of its not being permitted to himself, he writes:—­

“I cannot however refrain from paying my tribute of respect to Mr. George Bentham, the most industrious, perspicuous, and philosophical Botanist who has systematically contributed to lessen the difficulties under which Indian Botanists have generally suffered.

“There are a few others from whom the sincerity of friendship fully warrants me in expecting every possible assistance:  of these Dr. Wight is already well known, and others are rising rapidly to fill, I hope, the highest Botanical stations when these shall have been vacated by the leviathans who now occupy them.  Let not the cynic accuse me of partiality when I mention the names of William Valentine, of Decaisne, and C. M. Lemann.”

He also delighted to speak and write in terms of the warmest regard of those to whom he was indebted for facilities in his pursuits.  To Lord Auckland he invariably alluded in terms of the deepest gratitude—­“Under his Lordship’s patronage” he remarks on one occasion, “I have received such advantages as make me ashamed of the little I have done, and which are constantly holding up before me my deficiencies in many branches of enquiry connected with the physiology and distribution of plants.”

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The following letters are quoted chiefly for the additional information they afford on the subject of his travels and pursuits.  His letters to Botanists would of course be more important and interesting.

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Suddyah:  16th September, 1836.

“I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the cold weather, as on the 1st
of November I hope to accompany ----- to Ava, but in the meantime, I
intend proceeding in search of the tea plant to the Mishmee Hills,
especially about Bramakoond, where it is reported to grow.   If I find it
there, I will endeavour to trace it up into the mountains, which form due
east of this an amphitheatre of high rugged peaks.”

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