288 
cupied the greatest part of his time, his 
leisure moments were profitably spent in 
compiling such documents respecting Pon- 
dichéry and our other Indian settlements, 
as we hope will enable us finally to esti- 
mate their real importance to France. 
Pondichéry being, so to speak, the me- 
tropolis of Christianity in the Peninsula, 
it presents the greatest advantages for as- 
certaining the real state, as to character 
and morals, of this class of the population 
of India; and it is likewise in this colony 
that we can most justly appreciate the la- 
bours of the French missionaries to effect 
the conversion and preserve the true faith 
in the hearts of the natives. Thrice, dur- 
ing the year 1827, M. Belanger visited the 
ic, the coast of Coromandel, and 
Madras ; verifying, during these excursions, 
his former ideas, with regard to the caste, 
manners, &c. of the different tribes who 
inhabit this presidency. Towards the close 
of that year he explored Lower Bengal, 
especially near Calcutta and Chandernagor, 
giving especial attention to the different 
public establishments in these cities, 
Here M. Belanger’s travels in India 
closed; and when we take a summary view 
of the result of his labours, we see him 
rich in large botanical and zoological col- 
lections ; in observations on the vegetation 
and products of this vast country; in do- 
cuments of the highest interest respecting 
the commerce and political organization of 
the three presidencies which compose the 
Company's possessions ; and upon the wise 
and political system of administration pur- 
sued by the British towards the Indians, 
and the estaliishigonig founded for their 
benefit ; 
and religious ceremonies of the numerous 
castes which make up the Indian popula- 
tions of those parts which he visited ; upon 
the situation of this Peninsula, as compared 
with what it was, under the sway of the 
Rajahs, &c. &c. and finally, our traveller 
possesses portfolios, filled with drawings, 
perc what description is inade- 
onvey, and vocabularies on the 
Huet. this country. 
Pegu was next. — by M. Belanger, 
7 manners, Tao 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION, 
a country in which no Naturalist, save Dr. 
Wallich, who devoted himself to its Botany, 
had preceded him. The state of this na- ` 
tion and of Birmah, as to religion and ge- 
neral customs, especially as contrasted with 
engal, attracted his particular attention, 
the late war that had raged there affording 
many facilities for investigations in the 
Birmese empire. 
In 1828, M. Belanger embarked for the 
Islands of Sunda, where he carefully ex- 
plored Pulo-Merak, the island which lies 
next to Java ; the environs of Batavia, and 
the district of Buitenzor. Many birds, in- 
sects, mollusca, and a fine Herbarium re- 
warded his researches; nor did the statis- 
tics and commerce of these settlements 
escape his notice, but he made such in- 
quiries into the actual state of the Dutch 
possessions, and the customs of the Dutch 
and Javanese, as are likely to prove of high 
interest to these colonies. After revisiting 
Pondichéry, M. Belanger, on his return to 
France, explored the Islands of Mauritius 
and Bourbon, with the Cape of Good Hope, 
and arrived in his native land, after nearly 
five years of absence. 
Four Fasciculi of the “ Partie Bota- 
nique” of the work are now before us, with 
neatly engraved plates; but we regret to 
say, that the figures of the Mosses are not 
executed with that degree of accuracy 
which such subjects require, and which 
they deserve. 
_ 
BOTANICAL EXCURSION IN THE: 
NORTH OF ENGLAND. 
By Joseph Woods, Esq., F.L.S. 
My dear Sir, —It is possible that the fol- 
s lowing memoranda of a botanical tour, made 
this year (1835) in the North of England, 
may interest some of your readers; espe- 
cially if any of them have the intention of 
following a part of the same route. If you. 
think this will be the case, you are perfectly x | 
welcome to publish them. I have only to — 
remark, that the plants enumerated xd | 
such as catch the attention of a Boi 
from the South of 
Had I visited 
these counties from the North, S ee ^ 
