XXX PREFACE TO THE 



public establishment, under the care of skilful gardeners, one 

 of whom circumnavigated the globe with captain BLIGH. 

 I might therefore have considerably enlarged the Hortus 

 Eastcnsis annexed to this work, but the particulars did 

 not come to my hands in time. However, that the lovers 

 of natural history may not be wholly disappointed, I shall 

 subjoin to this preface a catalogue of the more rare and 

 valuable exotics which now flourish in Jamaica. The pre- 

 sent improved state of bottany in that island will thus be seen 

 at one view. 



In contemplating this display of industry and science, and 

 offering the tribute of grateful veneration to that SOVEREIGN 

 under whose royal patronage and bounty so many valuable 

 productions have been conveyed in a growing state from one 

 extremity of the world to the other, it is impossible that the 

 inhabitants of the British West Indies can forget how much 

 also is due to Sir JOSEPH BANKS, the president of the Royal 

 Society ; by whose warm and unwearied exertions the second 

 voyage to the South Seas was determined on, after the first 

 had proved abortive. Among all the labours of life, if there is 

 one pursuit more replete than any other with benevolence, 

 more likely to add comforts to existing people, and even to 

 augment their numbers by augmenting their means of sub- 

 sistence, it is certainly that of spreading abroad the bounties of 

 creation, by transplanting from one part of the globe to ano- 

 ther such natural productions as are likely to prove beneficial 

 to the interests of humanity. In this generous effort, Sir 

 JOSEPH BANKS has employed a considerable part of his time, 

 attention, and fortune; and the success which in many cases, 

 has crowned his endeavours, will be felt in the enjoyments, 

 and rewarded by the blessings of posterity. 



On the whole, the introduction of the bread fruit and 

 other plants from the South Sea islands the munificence dis- 

 played by His MAJESTY in causing the voyage to be under- 

 raken by which it was finally accomplished the liberality and 

 judgment of those who advised it and the care and attention 



