os ee PREFACE. 
found in a state fit for a distinct or separate publication; but they have afforded assistance to the pre- 
sent work, in which his botanical remarks will occasionally be inserted.* 
Koenig had maintained a correspondence with Linnzus, as well as with other eminent Botanists, in 
Europe, and several of his communications from India have been published in the Transactions of the 
Societies of Copenhagen and Berlin, or inserted in the works of Retzius, and other authors. A list of 
such publications + was supplied by Mr. Dryander, whose aid has also been of material service in the 
correction of descriptions, and in settling synonyma. 
A few months after Koenig’s death, Dr. Russell was nominated his successor ; and allotted to Botany 
whatever time he could spare from the investigation of Snakes and Fishes, in which he had been engaged 
from the time of his arrival in India. 
Considering it however as a public loss, if the design of Koenig should be entirely relinquished ; and 
conceiving that many descriptions and remarks would be found among his papers, while drawings from 
the living plants might be made in India, Dr. Russell resolved to attempt a work limited to the useful 
plants of Coromandel ; which, though perhaps less generally interesting to the Botanists in Europe, he 
was inclined to think might prove of real service to India. 
His plan was first communicated to the Governor of Madras, but afterwards explained more fully in 
a memorial addressed to the Medical Board; and meeting with the unanimous approbation of both, it 
was transmitted to the Honourable Court of Directors. 
In the interim, circular letters, with a list of the plants proposed for the first publication, was sent 
by the Medical Board to the subordinate settlements, requesting it might be favoured with any infor- 
mation respecting the subjects in question, which the medical gentlemen might have it in their power 
to communicate ; and in consequence several useful communications were received. 
In the memorial to the Medical Board, Dr. Russell had mentioned his hope that Sir Joseph Banks, if 
his advice were requested, might probably point out the best mode of carrying the plan into execution, 
_and having before, in correspondence, hinted to him the design, then only in contemplation, he thought 
it now proper to transmit for his inspection, the explanatory detail contained in the memorial to the 
_ Medical Board. 
The solicitation of private friendship was not requisite to induce Sir Joseph Banks to interest himself 
in a proposal which he considered as calculated for public utility: he not only, when applied to by the 
Court of Directors, expressed his approbation, but suggested some alterations in the original plan. 
Thus corrected, the plan was returned to India, accompanied with a paragraph in the general letter 
to the Board of Madras, expressive of ‘* the readiness, at all times, of the Court of Directors to promote 
‘¢ the improvement of Natural History, and of their approbation of Dr. Russell’s proposal for publishing 
‘a select collection of useful Indian plants; but desired that the alteration suggested by Sir Joseph 
‘¢ Banks, should be attended to.”’ 
Before the arrival of the above letter at Madras, Dr. Russell had left India. The directions it con- 
tained, however, fell fortunately into hands well qualified for carrying them into execution. 
Dr. Roxburgh of Samulcottah, who had lived much with Koenig, and, when disengaged from the 
duties of his station, had pursued his favourite study, succeeded to the botanical department. He had 
made large collections of plants in the Carnatic ; and, for several years previously to his appointment, » 
“ List of Koenig's manuscripts, received by Sir Joseph Banks, will be found at the end of the Preface. 
+ See the end of the Preface. 
