330 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
with the literature and science of the East. The 
liberality which the different courts of directors have 
shown, for a long series of years, in bringing to light 
the ancient records of that vast empire over which 
their authority extends, is attested by the public- 
ations these materials have given rise to, and the 
efficient. patronage that has uniformly been ex- 
tended to their authors. Every thing, in short, 
which could illustrate the ancient state of those 
-singular nations now under the dominion of Britain, 
has been studiously sought for by the servants of 
the Company, and deposited in their archives. The 
Asiatic Society, celebrated for its learned Trans- 
actions since the days of Sir William Jones, owed 
its origin to their fostering care; while the splendid 
library and collection of Oriental MSS. at the India 
House attest the feelings which have so long pre- 
vaded their councils. If we turn, on the other 
hand, to what has been done for elucidating the na- 
tural history of their possessions, the result is still 
more conspicuous. A botanical garden, worthy of 
an Eastern monarch, superintended by distinguish- 
ed botanists, having at their command all neces- 
sary assistants, has disseminated the splendours of 
the Indian flora over all similar establishments in 
Europe. Yet this liberality is not confined to public 
gardens, or to favoured botanists. Any individual 
of respectability, upon his return to Europe, may 
receive a collection of seeds and roots from these 
gardens, free of expense. Nor are these all the 
benefits resulting to the botanical world from the 
munificence of the Company. The different pro- 
vinces of India have been explored by competent 
