PREFACE. v 
had retained a painter constantly employed in drawing plants, which he accurately described, and 
added such remarks on their uses as he had learned from experience, or collected from the natives. 
Of these drawings and descriptions, which he devoted to the Honourable Court of Directors, the 
first parcel was received in 1791; others followed in succession; and the last parcel, which completed 
the number of five hundred, arrived in 1794. It is from these that the present Selection has been made; 
but many more drawings remain in India, ready to be sent home by the first opportunity. 
Dr. Roxburgh’s industry has also for some years been employed in the cultivation of pepper and 
indigo, in one of the Northern Circars; and, besides a letter on the qualities of the Swietenia Bark, 
published by order of the Directors, he has communicated other discoveries, to be found in the Philo- 
sophical Transactions, the Indian Repertory, and the Asiatic Researches. Such commendable zeal in 
the service has not passed unnoticed by the Court of Directors, which has lately honoured him with a 
handsome present of botanical books, as well as with other marks of approbation. 
On the 4th of July, 1794, after the last parcel of drawings was delivered to him, Sir Joseph Banks, 
in compliance with his former promise to the Court of Directors, presented a plan, and an estimate 
of the expence of the proposed publication, accompanied with specimens of the engravings. He was 
pleased to add, ‘* For my part, I am most ready to undertake the general overlooking of the work, to 
‘* set the engravers their tasks, and to see that they are executed with accuracy: Dr. Russell ( Dr. Rox- 
‘‘ burgh’s predecessor) will I am sure readily assist in correcting the press of the descriptions.’’ He at 
the same time recommended as the publisher, Mr. Nicol, his Majesty’s bookseller, who had formerly 
assisted him in the publication of Captain Cook’s Voyage. 
An answer from the Court of Directors to this letter was returned on the 11th of the same month, in 
which they gave their assent to the execution of the work, exactly in the way that Sir Joseph had pointed 
out; and, in very polite terms, expressed a sense of obligation for the assistance, with such liberality 
offered, of superintending the publication. 
The writer of this Preface willingly undertook the part allotted him, in the absence of his friend 
Dr. Roxburgh, on whom the task should naturally have devolved; but the Doctor is still labouring in 
India; and, having lately been appointed Inspector of the Botanical Garden at Calcutta, may possibly 
be induced to protract his stay in that country longer than he some time ago intended. 
The foregoing narrative of the origin and progress of the present work, it is presumed, will not be 
deemed impertinent. It pays a small tribute to the memory of Koenig, to whom Indian Botany stands 
so highly indebted: it shows the disposition of the Honourable Court of Directors to promote science in 
India; and produces an example for the encouragement of the Company’s servants abroad, to dedicate 
their leisure hours to useful research, as a means of recommendation to the notice of their superiors, as 
well as of obtaining a well earned reputation in their native country. 
PAT. RUSSELL. 
London, March 20,1795. 
