Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 461 



medicinal and other useful qualities of its innumerable vegetable pro- 

 ductions remain, in a great degree, unascertained. This account of 

 the very imperfect state of our knowledge, which is by no means con- 

 fined to one island, but is almost equally true in respect to all, has 

 suggested to a few persons the expediency of an attempt to investi- 

 gate the natural history of Jamaica. 



" They are persuaded that whatever information may be acquired in 

 respect to it, will be immediately beneficial to the other West Indian 

 colonies, Jamaica being only selected as affording the most extensive 

 field for studying the productions of a climate common to all. They 

 consider it an object of great importance to the whole body, that no 

 means should be omitted or overlooked which may contribute to con- 

 nect the West Indies with the more enlightened classes at home -, and 

 they should very much regret if all did not seek to participate in the 

 honour arising from the prosecution and dissemination of scientific 

 discoveries, as well as in the other advantages which have hitherto 

 closely and inevitably attended them. Impressed with these opinions, 

 and in part relying on the known spirit of philosophical research which 

 exists so remarkably in this country, they have ventured to hope that 

 it maybe possible to raise such a sum among those more closely con- 

 nected with the colonies, as well as among those who are influenced 

 by a general attachment to the cause of knowledge, as may be suffi- 

 cient to send out scientific men well fitted for examining the state of 

 Jamaica as connected exclusively with its natural history, and the pro- 

 babilities afforded by its advantages of soil and climate for the culti- 

 vation of articles as yet new to its commerce. They have reason to 

 think that it will be easy to find such competent persons, in whose 

 zeal and intelligence entire confidence may be reposed, and who will 

 be most ready to undertake the investigation. They have sanguine 

 hopes that some public bodies may take an interest in the object, and 

 be inclined to give it countenance and support without depriving it of 

 the character of an individual and scientific enterprise j and they feel 

 persuaded that the subscription of a comparatively moderate sum 

 would fully accomplish this desirable object within a very limited period. 



w Being anxious to forward a plan which appears to them so full of 

 utility, they have taken the liberty of circulating this address : but as 

 all arrangements for carrying it into execution, for disposing of the 

 seeds and specimens, as well as for giving publicity to the information 

 which will no doubt result from it, must of course depend upon the 

 money raised, and the view which the subscribers may take of the best 

 mode of accomplishing their own objects -, 



" It is proposed that if the scheme meets with such support as they 

 fully anticipate, a general meeting should be called as early in the fall 

 of the year as is convenient, for the purpose of considering the general 

 arrangements, and the best means of carrying them into effect. In 

 the mean time, those gentlemen who are inclined to afford their co- 

 operation, are requested to send such an intimation to Henry Bright, 

 Esq. M.P. 2, Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, London, who has un- 

 dertaken to lay the substance of the information received before the 

 gentlemen at whose suggestion this circular has been issued." 



ON 



