119 



however little important matter I may have to com- 

 municate. I am quite out of the way just now of 

 adding to my collection of drawings, unless I were 

 to take my subjects from the botanical garden ; but 

 as that would be a species of robbery or encroach- 

 ment upon Dr. Roxburgh's province, I must wait 

 with patience till my professional duties call me to 

 the upper provinces of Hindostan,when I shall hope 

 once more to range in the same field I have hi- 

 therto found so interesting and productive. 



Since my arrival at Calcutta, my attention has 

 been more directed to the collecting of insects than 

 anything else, and in which I have been very suc- 

 cessful ; for I am just now in possession of a very 

 splendid assortment, from which I hope some day 

 or other to add useful varieties to your cabinet. 



I am sorry, my dear Sir, to find you have been less 

 successful in the circulation of that beautiful work 

 Exotic Botany, than its merits deserve ; and I feel 

 it an addition to the disappointment, that every 

 number I received from your bounty was swal- 

 lowed up by the merciless ocean. It makes me 

 melancholy almost, when I reflect on the valuable 

 books and papers I lost on that unlucky event, the 

 loss of the Lady Burgess ; and the drawings of in- 

 sects which you and Mr.Marsham admired so much, 

 unfortunately were with me. 



I am very glad Dr. Buchanan preferred leaving 

 his collection of dried plants and drawings with 

 you. He set out on his statistical mission about a 

 month gone, and the early part of his route is 

 through a country little explored, and rich in vege- 



