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 Mekivale. 

 " 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 



