INTO THE DUTCH EAST INDIES. - 305 



The wish to obtain seeds of this tree, through the Dutch consuls in 

 different States of America, was disappointed, the difficulty of obtaining 

 them being so great, on account of the distance of their stations from 

 the woods of the interior of Peru, Bolivia, and New Granada. Seeds 

 and plants were often promised by one and another, but these promises 

 were not realized, althougli they were continually renewed. It was 

 sufficiently clear that the only means to obtain seeds or plants of the 

 Quinquina-tree was to send thither a proper person to fetch them. 



To find such a person was not easy. Various knowledge, botanical 

 knowledge, and particularly an acquaintance with the Quinquina, were 

 required, A great constancy and intrepidity in danger and in the 

 difficulties of long jonrneys in foreign countries, and especially a 

 strong constitution, would be requisite in one charged with so import- 

 ant a mission. 



Meanwhile the experience and information obtained by Mr. Weddell, 

 in South America, were not lost to the naturalists of the Netherlands. 

 His fame, but particularly his excellent writings, as well as the barks 

 and dried specimens, collected by him in Peru, were not only known 

 and appreciated here, but came freely into the possession of Dutchmen, 

 and of their scientific institutions. In the Museum of Paris they were 

 submitted to the inspection and research of the professional and inter- 

 ested with a praiseworthy liberality, of which the writer of this com- 

 munication was able to bear witness dm'ing his sojourn in the French 

 capital. 



In the month of June, 1852, the Minister for the Colonies pro- 

 posed to the King, that a proper person should be sent to South Ame- 

 rica, to collect seeds and plants, and to transport them directly to 

 Java, and he was empowered to despatch Mr. Justus Charles Hasskarl, 

 late Botanist of the Botanical Gardens at Buiteuzorg, Java, on the 



mission. 



The choice of so competent a man may in all respects be considered 

 fortunate. Mr. Hasskarl, by a long residence on the Island of Java, 

 had become accustomed to the influences of a tropical climate. He 

 had a strong constitution, and was of middle age. Por many years he 

 had given evidence of a great love for the science, and a comprehensive 

 knowledge of the Flora of Java. His numerous published writmgs 

 evince great accuracy, perseverance, and industry. His travels and 

 investigations in India had furnished him with an uncommon measure 



VOL. YIII. 



