X PREFACE. 



Prof. LiNDLEY : Rosacea?, Aincntaceae, Orchidea\ 



Prof. Von Martius of Mimich : Amarciiithaceae, Palmae, Restiaceae. 



Prof. Meisner of Bale : Begoniaceae, Polygoneae. . 



Prof. Nees von Esenbeck of Breslau : Acanthacece, Solanaceae, Laurlneae. 



Mr. Prescott: Cyperaceae. 



Prof Richard of Paris : Menispermeae, Myrtaceae, Asphodeleae, Smilaceae. • 



Prof RcEPER of Bale : Eiiphorbiaceae. 



M. Seringe of Geneva : Salix. 



Prof ScHULTEs of Landsliut : Various miseellaneoiis genera. 



Prof. Sprengel of Halle : Berberideae, Cruciferae, Polygaleae, Ericeae, Apocyneae, Asclepiadeae. 



On the above cooperation, exhibiting an unparalleled instance of zeal and liberality in the promotion of a common 

 cause, I can offer no comment ; nor can I adequately express the gratitude which I feel towards those, who have 

 thus generously relieved me from some of the most difficult parts of my labour. 



The present Work consists of a selection of plants made chiefly from a series of 1200 drawings, executed 

 under my direction by Indian artists, at the Calcutta Garden, and on my various journeys ; and this will at once 

 explain any imperfections in the figures which accompany it. I am very far from aspiring to any other 

 claim than that of having endeavoured to perform the duties of a faithful pioneer and collector in the field of 

 Indian Botany ; for I am too sensible of my deficiency, to suppose for a moment that any Work of mine can be con- 

 sidered comparable to those which have appeared in recent times, so admirable for their scientific accuracy and the 

 elaborate beauty of their detail. When I originally left Europe, I had had very little opportunity of acquiring that 

 precise knowledge of the Natural System, which has now been made so familiar to the student of botany ; and in my 

 remote situation in India I was naturally deprived of an intercourse with those who are justly looked upon in Europe 

 as the lights of modern botanical science. In India those who cultivate natural history are necessarily thrown on 

 their own unaided resources; and if I shall be judged not to have failed altogether in the use of those enviable 

 opportunities that have fallen to my lot as the servant of a Government which so liberally extended its patronage to 

 me, to which I owe not only the prosperity, but in many respects the happiness of my life, the warmest wishes of my 

 heart will have been most abundantly realized. 



But while I have thus frankly avowed the defects under which this Work labours, I claim for it those merits which 

 the splendid talents of several friends have imparted to it; and to them the world will do ample justicl To 

 Mr. Brown, who has been so justly styled botamcokum PmNCEPS. I owe contributions which could have been 

 denved from no other source. To Professor Lindley I owe many obligations ; and I can truly say, that but for the 

 counsel and unremitting assistance of this most valued friend I could not have undertaken or prosecuted my Work 

 From Mr. Bentham I have also .reived many favours, especially the interesting Synopsis of the Indian Labiatce 



N. WALLICH. 



London, September, 1830. 



