INTRODUCTION 
The publication of the results of Cook's First Voyage was anticipated by the scientific world with the greatest 
interest, and was expected shortly after the return of Banks and Solander. Linnzus wrote to Ellis, October 22nd, 
1771, when Banks was preparing for his proposed second expedition, expressing his regret at the projected voyage as 
being certain to hinder the publication of the results of the preceding one. He says: “ This report has affected 
me so much, as almost to deprive me of sleep. How vain are the hopes of man! Whilst the whole botanical 
world, like myself, has been looking for the most transcendent benefits to our science, from the unrivalled exertions 
of your countrymen, all their matchless and truly astonishing collection, such as has never been seen before, nor may 
ever be seen again, is to be put aside untouched, to be thrust into some corner, to become, perhaps, the prey of 
insects and of destruction. I have every day been figuring to myself the occupations of my pupil Solander, now 
putting his collection in order, having first arranged and numbered his plants, in parcels, according to the places 
where they were gathered, and then written upon each specimen its native country, and appropriate number. I then 
fancied him throwing the whole into classes; putting aside, and naming, such as were already known; ranging 
others under known genera, with specific differences; and distinguishing by new names and definitions such as 
formed new genera, with their species. Thus, thought I, the world will be delighted and benefited by all these 
discoveries ; and the foundations of true science will be strengthened, so as to endure through all generations! I 
am under great apprehension, that if this collection should remain untouched till Solander’s return, it might share 
the same lot as Forskall’s Arabian specimens at Copenhagen. Thus shall I be only more and more confirmed in 
my opinion, that the Fates are ever adverse to the greatest undertakings of mankind . . . By all that is great 
and good, I intreat you, who know so well the value of science, to do all that in you lies for the publication of 
these new acquisitions, that the learned world may not be deprived of them. They will afford a fresh proof that 
the English nation promotes science more than the French, or all other people together . . . Again the plants 
of Solander and Banks recur to my imagination. When I turn over Feuillée’s figures I meet with more 
extraordinary things among them than anywhere else. I cannot but presume, therefore. as Peru and Chili are so 
rich, that in the South-sea islands, as great an abundance of rarities have remained in concealment, from the beginning 
of the world, to reward the labours of our illustrious voyagers. I see these things now but afar off. If our 
travellers should take another trip, I shall have seen them as Moses saw Canaan.”* 
Troil, writing under date 22nd January, 1773, says: “ Their voyage to the South Seas will probably make its 
appearance in April or May next. They have already begun to engrave the collection of animals and plants they 
have made on their voyage, which will employ them several years, as they must consist, I should apprehend, of near 
2,000 plates."} The younger Linnzus named his genus Banksia “in memoriam Josephi Banks, futuri Auctoris 
splendidissimi operis: Plantarum omnium detectorum Terrarum maris Australis descriptiones et figuree,”{ and the four 
species described by him§ were only ‘known to Linnzeus from specimens and engravings communicated by Sir 
Joseph Banks.”| There are other references by Smith in the same work, eg., under Correa rubra and Melaleuca 
suaveolens; as well as in his Exotic Botany (ii. 25), where he speaks of “these fine plates intended for future 
publication, some of which, presented by Sir Joseph to Linnzeus, are now before me.” Mr. B. D. Jackson informs 
me that these plates are not to be found at the Linnean Society, and it is not possible to trace what has become 
of them. 
The death of Solander in May, 1782, no doubt partly explains the non-publication of the work on which so 
much time and money had been spent. According to Smith,{] the descriptive part of the work had been allotted 
to Solander; Banks seems to have occupied himself more with superintending the engraving of the plates. 
Writing to the younger Linnzeus in 1778, he says: ‘ Uninterruptedly, however, as I have applied to the work of 
engraving for near five years, I have not yet advanced above half of my intended progress. About 550 plates are 
engraved, and I think, if circumstances as yet unexpected do not oblige me to cut it short, it will extend to double 
that number; understand by this how impossible it will be for you to quote it in a work intended for publication 
* Smith, Correspondence of Linnzeus, i. 267. § op. cit. 126-7. 
+ Letters on Iceland, p. 34 (1780). || Smith in Rees Cyclop. Suppl. 
+ Supplementum Plantarum, p. 16 (178r). | Correspondence of Linnzeus, ii. 2. 
