INTRODUCTION. 5 



a handbook of the information to which he has had access, 

 by your permission could be published, and stating his 

 conviction that such a work would find a ready sale. 



" In submitting this letter for your consideration, I am 

 desired by the Duke of Argyll to inquire whether there is 

 any likelihood of such a work being undertaken by your 

 department, and to state that his Grace would not object 

 to give such assistance as was in his power towards its 

 accomplishment. I am, &c., 



" HERMAN MERIVALE. 

 " The Commissioners of 

 " Her Majesty's Woods and Forests, Whitehall Place." 



" Office of Woods and Forests, 8th April, 1870. 

 " SIR, 



" I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 

 the 2d inst., transmitting, by direction of the Secretary of 

 State for India, a copy of a letter from Mr H. Leeds, 

 the Conservator of Forests in Bengal, conveying his 

 opinion of the benefit which would result from the publi- 

 cation of a handbook of the information relating to the 

 Crown forests and woodlands in this country, to which he 

 has had access while on leave, and I have to request that 

 you will convey to the Secretary of State for India my 

 thanks for the communication, and inform his Grace that 

 I have long contemplated the desirability of having such 

 a handbook compiled. 



" I trust the time is not far distant when I may have 

 the pleasure of placing such a work at his Grace's dis- 

 posal, and I feel much obliged for the offer of his Grace's 

 assistance. I am, &c., 



" JAMES K. HOWARD. 



" Herman Merivale, Esq." 



From the years 1863 to 1866 inclusive, I held the 

 office of Colonial Botanist at the Cape of Hope. When I 

 was appointed to this I was informed that the office, origin- 

 ally established in the year 1858, was created with the 



