Abstract:
The only recent critical morphological studies of plants in this family are those by Valeton. Unfortunately, they cover only a limited part of the whole field, but their throughness and clarity of presentation showed the way for further progress. The present work was begun by an examination of living plants of those genera studied by Valeton, and his work is therefore the basis of that now presented. In addition to living plants of species of almost all genera, alcohol material of many other species was available for study, mostly collected during the years 1930 - 1940 by Mr. E. J. H. Corner, with copius field notes, the substance of which is included in the present descriptions. In addition, there are careful coloured drawings of several species described by Mr. Ridley, which have supplied some information not otherwise available. Of some species, however, only dried specimens have been examined, and there are accordingly gaps in necessary information about them. The species descriptions here presented are rather lengthy, but I believe that this is necessary in the present inadequate state of our knowledge of the family. It has been my experience that earlier descriptions frequently omitted data which appeared to me necessary for a proper characterization of the species. For the purpose merely of identifying the species now known to exist in Malaya, much briefer descriptions would be adequate ; but they would not be helpful in the understanding of species still to be discovered, either in this country or in neighbouring territories. I have attempted also a comparative account of the morphology of the inflorescence, which appears to me of basic importance. The present work is confined to species in the Malay Peninsula for two reasons. First, it was mainly prepared in the year 1944, when I had adequate material only of such species for study; and second, I have now other work on hand which prevents me attempting a study of the family over a wider area. Though the work is therefore of necessity a partial one, and though in consequence I cannot offer a satisfactory solution of such problems as that of the typification of Alpinia, I hope that the present work will be a useful basis for that wider study of this interesting family in Malaysia as a whole which is so desirable.  

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Some early genera of ferns are so heterogeneous that the authors cannot have had clear ideas in founding them. It is sometimes possible to exclude certain species as not conforming  to the author's generic description, but it is often not possible to say that one species rather than another is clearly indicated by that description. The generic description is thus not an infallible guide in the selection of a type-species.  The usual procedure has been to follow the first author who divides a genus. The process may be repeated more than once. Often the authors who split genera did not indicate a type-species; one can only agree that the type-species must be contained in that part of the original genus which is retained under the original generic name. It may occur that subsequent authors in dividing a genus do not pay attention to the original generic description, and so may retain under the original generic name a species that does not well agree with that description, removing all others to another genus or genera. In such cases it may seem reasonable to select a new type-species of the original genus. But if ( as often happens) none of the original species correspond uniquely to the description, there may well be difference of opinion as to which species most nearly corresponds to it. The result will be confusion. I suggest that, in the interests of uniformity of nomenclature, it is better to follow the first divider of a genus, even though he may not select (by implication or otherwise) a type-species that most nearly corresponds to the original description. This may not be ideal arrangement; but in practice no ideal arrangement is possible, and I suggest that it is better to follow a definite rule rather than an indefinite one which will allow of differences of opinion and, as a result, confusion of nomenclature. On the other hand, there should certainly be a recommendation that a later author, in dividing a genus, should principally consider the generic description when selecting a type-species. Linnean genera can be treated like any others, having regard to the convention that the species described in 1753 are associated with the generic descriptions of 1754, and to the rule that legitimate nomenclature begins in 1753 (art. 20).  I apply these principles to the names of certain fern genera as follows:      

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In my previous commentary on the laws of botanical nomenclature (Gard. Bull. Straits Settl. IX, 1937, pp. 223 - 284), an attempt was made to clarify a number of provisions which appeared vague or inconsistent in the 1935 Rules. Later some amendments were proposed by me for consideration at the 1940 Botanical Congress on points that appeared to me the most essential for future progress (Gard. Bull. Straits Settl. XI, 1939, pp. 1 - 30). However, I venture here to isuue a complementary set of proposals and a commentary in the hope that the philosophical basis of nomenclature may receive due consideration in the revision of the Rules at the 1950 Congress. I submit that the time has come when botanists should pause to analyse first principles involved in the system of the rules as a whole and then examine the different rules accordingly. I propose therefore that a special Committee be appointed to consider in detail the principles involved.  Should this Committee agree to a principle, but not to the location or the form of an amendent embodying the principle - two reasons why a good proposal may be rejected - the Commitee should be empowered  to suggest a better place and/or better wording so that the principle might be incorporated in the code.

Abstract:
Of the 13 species of the genus, the following are wild in the Malay Peninsula : S. affinis, S. conferta, S. flabellata, S. glabrescens, S. Rumphii and S. Scortechinii. RIDLEY does not include the last mentioned species in his Flora (1925), nor does he give any reason for this omission. Beccari's plate of the type of S. Scortechinii looks like a mixture consisting of a young leaf of S. affinis and a spadix of S. conferta, but I do feel justified in making this reduction without being able to compare the original material with recent collection.  Salacca conferta is split into two species by BURRET (1942), under the genus Eleiodoxa, as E. conferta and E. orthoschista, the latter based on material collected in Singapore.  Though we have very good material from Singapore, we have very little from Malacca, the type locality of S. conferta ; on the evidence at present available, I am not able to separate the two species. S. flabellata is the only new species described here; it is reported to be very common in two places in Kemaman (at Sungei Nipah and at Bukit Kajang). It is the smallest species in the genus and is easily recognized by its individed leaves, a character not found in any other Salacca except in seedling stages. The species is known from male specimens only.  In the key to the species, the non-malayan species S. sumatrana, S. vermicularis and S. edulis, are given in order to make clear the identity of S. edulis, which is found occasionally cultivated or as an escape in Malaya, and is probably the species commonly cultivated in Java for the export of fruits.  I have also given the synonyms of S. edulis, so that the use of the name is clarified. S. borneensis has been reduced to a variety of S. affinis, but the variety has not been recorded in Malaya.    

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Obituary

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During a survey of the ferns, orchids, grasses and Cyperaceae of the Malay Peninsula, based on all specimens in the Singapore herbarium, a number of undescribed species were found. These are described below. It is hoped that full revised accounts of all these families, as represented in the Malay Peninsula, will be published later. Various changed of names, found necessary during the work, are also here published.

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The following new species of Eugenia are described in anticipation of a critical review of the genus in the Malay Peninsula which it is hoped will be published in the near future.

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The binomial Alocasia macrorrhiza  has been used in more than one sense.  Some of the plants which have passed under this name are economically very important and found in cultivation or as escapes in the tropics of both hemispheres; others are of little economic value and not known in cultivation or as escapes except in their native country and perhaps in some botanic gardens. Further, many experiments and analyses have been made in order to test to their value as food to men and animals, and the results have been sometimes conflicting. The existence of many varieties in some of the species called by this name is also a factor that has caused further ambiguity. The present paper is an attempt towards the clarification of this ambiguity. It is my pleasant duty to record here my thanks to Dr. R. C. BAKHUIZEN VAN DEN BRINK, Agricutural Deaprtment, Buitenzorg, Dr. G. J. A. TERRA, Horticultural Division, Batavia, Dr. C. G. G. J. VAN STEENIS, Botanic Gardens and Herbarium, Buitenzorg, Dr. K. BISWAS, Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, and Mr. E. F. ALLEN, Agricultural Department, Teluk Anson, Perak, for procuring for me planting material of the species and varieties connected with the nomenclatural problems of Alocasia macrorrhiza and its varieties ; without this material it would have been impossible for me to clear many difficulties discussed in this paper.

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