592 



myself of the occasion to attempt its botanical descrip- 

 tion; and having a good draughtsman, I caused him to 

 delineate as scientifically as I could its various parts, and 

 in the different stages of fructification. This drawing, 

 with an account of the culture, as performed by the na- 

 tives, was the subject of a tract, — however inadequate in 

 the execution, interesting from the erroneous and. discre- 

 pant descriptions which had hitherto been published 

 either by botanists or others. 



Of the merit of my labours I shall only predicate, but 

 with a confidence founded on the fact, that the delinea- 

 tion of the parts of fructification is most accurate, and 

 that I witnessed every thing I advanced relative to the 

 crops, their culture, and collection. The result of my es- 

 say was intended by my much lamented friend Dr. James 

 Anderson, of Madras, whose approbation it obtained, for 

 presentation to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta; and this 

 hint was conveyed to Lord William Bentinck, to whom 

 the tract and drawing was sent ; but the commotions 

 which occupied and agitated the Governor's leisure during 

 the latter months of his administration, prevented all fu- 

 ture reference to a matter relatively so unimportant. 



With this preamble for your information, I consign the 

 essay and its merits to your better judgement and de- 

 cision. 



I am, with much respect, Sir, 



Your obedient and humble servant, 



David White, M.D. 



Superintending Surgeon, 

 Province of Guzerat. 



