IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 47 



ing operations which may be found necessary. (4). Native Sur- 

 geon Francis Appavu is in charge of the office at Madras, and, 

 during my absence, countersigns the abstracts and arranges the 

 herbarium. I have also the benefit of the partial services of 

 Captain Morgan, executive engineer, who has the oversight of 

 the Sigiir Jungle, which lies on the road from Utakamand to 

 Mudumalai Forest. 



36. Overseers. — -Two officers of this grade have been appointed 

 during the year — Mr E. Thompson at Puttir, and Mr Curry at Hal- 

 lial — the former in South, the latter in North Canara. There are 

 several places in which I am anxious to place overseers, as Den- 

 kinacotta, Palghat, Pulny, Gumsur, and Kircumbadi. It is, how- 

 ever, extremely difficult to find men of good character, steady 

 Tiabits, robust health, and some education, who are willing to take 

 appointments involving a lonely residence in unhealthy climates. 

 The risk of fever, the frequent difficulty of obtaining necessaries, 

 and the small amount of salary, deter many persons from joining 

 the department. 



37. Public Gardens, — The horticultural institutions at Utaka- 

 mand, Bangalore, and Madras, are respectively superintended by 

 Mr M'lvor, Mr New, and Mr Brown. These gardens are valu- 



. able adjuncts to this department in promoting arboriculture ; 

 young trees being supplied to the Eoad Department, soldiers' 

 gardens, and the public, at low rates. Seeds are also distributed 

 to applicants at cost price. 



38. Manual of South Indian Botany. — In consequence of ex- 

 tensive travelling and separation from books and specimens, I 

 much regret that little progress has been made in digesting the 

 mass of materials accumulated in my different journeys. I hope 

 to work up these in after years ; but at present I can do little 

 more than collect and arrange specimens. Government will, I 

 trust, excuse the delay which has occurred, my time having been 

 so much occupied with investigating trespasses, settling boundary 

 disputes, arranging jungle contracts, and conducting miscella- 

 neous inquiries connected with the vegetable kingdom. The 

 recent publication of Major Drury's "Useful Plants of India," 

 a book which has had a rapid and extensive sale, has, to a great 

 extent, supplied the present want ; and the researches of Lieu- 



