PREFACE. 



Work commenced. In order to afFord sufficient time for the execution of the Plates, 

 a small extension of the period in which the successive Numbers were engaged to be 

 delivered, has been required : this, I trust, will not be a subject of disapprobation. 



I request the supporters of this Work to accept my cordial acknowledgements : 

 I am happy to enumerate among these, many Gentlemen who have, since my arrival 

 in England, honoured me with their friendship. 



To the distinguished patronage of the Honourable Court of Directors 

 OF THE East India Company, the origin and progress of this Work is in a great 

 measure indebted. At the conclusion, I entreat the permission of the Honourable 

 Court to tender to them the tribute of my sincerest gratitude and obhgation. 

 The Work Avas originally dedicated to this Honourable Body, and with aU its 

 imperfections, it affords an additional evidence of the patronage afforded to scieuce in 

 their oriental possessions. 



As the Pubhc has been prepared to expect a more general report of my 

 Researches, in consequence of the favourable reference to thein by the distinguished 

 and enterprizing Author of the History of Java, in the Preface to that Work, 

 I embrace this opportunity to state, that although some delay has occurred in the 

 publication, the materials collected have not remained unexamined or undescribed. 

 I am happy to announce, that my friends, WiUiam S. Macleay, Esq. and Robert 

 Brown, Esq., have, with great disinterestedness, undertaken to give to the Public 

 that part of my Entomological and Botanical Collections which may be most 

 interesting, and a more particular notice of the Works proposed will appear without 

 delay. 



