PREFACE. 



In concluding the first Volume of tins work it can scarcely be required of me, as happens 

 to some authors, to prove that it is wanted or to point out in what respects it is calculated 

 to supersede the labours of those who have gone before since in truth, so far as Indian Bo- 

 tany is concerned, no similar work exists with which to compare it. In its plan and execu- 

 tion it differs widely from those of Rheede and Rumphius, each of whom have ^^iveu 

 figures of a vast number of Indian plants^ but these often so rudely and incorrectly delineated 

 that to this day many of the plants represented are unknown and in scarcely a single instance are 

 their analytical details, apart from general habit, such as to enable even the most accomplished 

 Botanist to say from them to what natural order the plant belongs. The somewhat more modern 

 works of the two Burmans and Plukenetare little if at all in advance of them, though all very 

 useful in aiding the determination of the plant they meant in their now nearly unintellit^ible 

 descriptions. Modern works are not liable to the charge of want of precision, but of these 

 the list is scanty, those of Roxburgh^ Wallich, and Royle, being the only ones expressly 

 devoted to the elucidation of Indian plants. Those of the two first named Botanists, though 

 works of great merit, are yet on so magnificent and expensive a scale as to limit their useful- 

 ness to the cabinet, besides which they are already nearly out of print. That of Dr. Royle 

 though not liable, to the same extent, to these objections, is scarcely applicable to this portion 

 of India, its illustrations being confined to the flora of the temperate regions of the Hiraa- 

 layas, the plants figured are almost all unknown in the warmer climate of the south ; lastly, 

 but a very small number of the plants figured in this work have been published in either of 



these three. 



Since then, this publication does not interfere with any of its predecessors, it only remains for 

 me to show that it is wanted here. This has been in part already done^ in the prospectus 

 which accompanied the first number to which I beg to refer. To what is there advanced I 

 may now add, the great advantage of pictures in conveying to the mind's eye a quicker per- 

 ception than words can do, of the distinctive peculiarities of an unknown plant, la descrlp- 

 tions, besides, when not drawn up by a professed Botanist, a laxity of terms is generally 

 introduced, accompanied with sucb a want of analytical information that no one, whether a 

 Botanist or not, can possibly make out what is meant, for in truth they convey no precise or 

 definite idea. When we turn to the often elaborate descriptions of the older Botanists we find 

 them utterly valueless in enabling us to picture to the imagination the plant they are describing. 

 If we take, for example, those of Rheede, we find them, apart from his plates, nearly incompre- 



hensible.Lut assisted 



a 



( 



Botanist) 



are enabled, with the aid of specimens, to recognize most of his plants. This single fact shews 



theg 



d 



of 



the 



», especially to the young Botanist. In the preface to my 

 illustrations 'l have shown, I hope satisfactorily, the great advantages derived from the 

 natural method of studying plants, adverted to the almost universal adoption of this system 

 by scientific Botanists, and mentioned that an intimate acquaintance with a few species only 



of an order, will often enable even a young Botanist rapidly to acquire a competent know- 



-■J^ -i _t# 



P^-L^!* 



