PREFACE. 



so multifarious were they that they even transcended 

 the knowledge demanded from a Forest Officer if 

 possible, and these are not trifling when I mention 

 that a Forest Officer to be really useful should know 

 first and foremost the language of the people, without 

 this he is useless, or at best, at the mercy of 

 intriguing interpreters in addition to the language, 

 the habits and customs of the people, then Arbori- 

 culture in all its branches, next Engineering and 

 Surveying how to build houses and bridges, survey 

 roads, and blocks of forest, &c., run boundaries by 

 a pickaxe trench, and mounds of earth, stones are 

 useless. Physic his people when ill, treat them 

 with tact, attend to the health of his bullocks and 

 elephants, and last but not least, keep his own health, 

 answer endless letters, and understand accounts. 

 The life of a Forest Officer is not cast on a bed of 

 roses, but rather a bed of thorns, an iron constitution 

 and a good conscience may enable him to surmount 

 all his difficulties, and wishing him the possession of 

 all these priceless gifts, I subscribe myself, 



AN OLD FOEEST OFFICER. 



