514 Allgemeines. 



The first chapter, p. 1—24: Baanbrekers (Pioneers) treat the 

 books of W. ßontius, E. Kaempfer and H. A. van Reede van 

 Drakestein; the great work of the last-mentioned: Hortus Indicus 

 Malabaricus is the first standardwork on the flora of Mala bar, 

 then a possession of the Dutch Eastlndian Company. Van Reede, 

 who was Governor of Mala bar, has given us in these twelve 

 folio-volumes a book of very great merits. 



Chapter II, G. E. Rumphius (p. 25—61), is a monograph 

 devoted to the life and work of this great naturalis!, who has con- 

 secrated his whole life by the study of the rieh nature, flora and 

 fauna of Ambon and environments. His „Herbarium Amboinense" 

 and his „Amboinsche Rariteitkamer" (cabinet of curiosities), are very 

 meritorious works, being the first books about that wonderful and 

 rieh life in the Moluccas. 



The time afterwards, from Rumphius' death (1702) tili the 

 year 1816, in which the Dutch colonies were given back by Eng- 

 land (Chapter III, p. 62—85) was a time of very little scientific 

 work; at first only some astronomical work has been done in that 

 period, but from the last few years the work by Horsfield and 

 Raffles may be mentioned, 



Chapter IV (p. 86- 140) describes at first the foundation and 

 development of the „Naluurkundige Commissie" the work of which 

 has brought many results, but that has died away after a period cf 

 diminished strength. The names Kühl, van Hasselt and others 

 are connected with this part of the history. In this chapter also the 

 first days of the botanical garden of Buitenzorg are treated, 

 founded May 18, 1817 by C. G. C. R ein ward t, the institute of 

 science, which has become since worldwide well-known, before 1850 

 by help of C. L. Blume, J. K. Hasskarl, J. E. Teysmann and 

 others, 



- A special chapter (V, p. 141 — 153) is given to life and work of 

 the great F. W. Junghuhn, member of the Commission for scien- 

 tific research, and author of the great work „Java". 



The chapters, contained in the second part of the book, may 

 be mentioned by title: VI (p. 154 — 182). General nature-study since 

 1850; VII (p. 183-215) The further development of „'s Lands Plan- 

 tentuin" and the botanical research since 1850; VIII (p. 216 — 226) 

 Zoölogical studies since 1850; IX (p. 227 — 239) Chemical researches 

 since 1850; X (p. 240-253) Geological discoveries since 1850; XI (p. 

 254 -264) Physical geography since 1850; XII (p. 265-283) Applied 

 natural sciences. Experiment-stations; XIII fp. 284 — 294j The West- 

 Indian Colonies. From botanical viewpoint the chapters VI, VII and 

 XII are of interest; chapter VI giving the history ot scientific life 

 (societies and expeditions), chapter VII the further development of 

 botanical study with the botanical gardens at Buitenzorg under 

 Sehe ff er and Treub as centre and chapter XII, treating the 

 Organization of applied sciences with the connection between cultures 

 and the natural sciences, especially botany and chemistr5^ 



A register of names (p. 295 — 303) giving also references to the 

 most important literature, is appended. The book has been published 

 in two editions: one as dissertation, of which the greater part have 

 only a reproduction of the title-page of van Reede's Hortus 

 Malabaricus as frontispiece and anothcr in the Mededeelingcn Kolon. 

 Inst. Amsterdam, in which we find the following botanical illustra- 

 tions as out-text heliolypes: title-page of van Reede's Hortus 

 Malabaricus. of Bontius' De medicina Indorum LL. IV., of Rum- 



