IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 95 



The preceding tabular statement is a return of all the plants 

 and packets of seeds sold and distributed during the two last 

 years. The aggregate amount in each institution is considerably 

 increased. 



45. Manual of Indian Botany. — I know of no book more 

 wanted : there are many inquiries for such a guide amongst the 

 increasing number of Europeans who come out to this country. 

 The characters of the genera of plants should be abridged, and 

 the economic uses introduced, of which our knowledge was much 

 increased by the successive Madras exhibitions. The work 

 should be printed in small type,* so as to form a book of easy 

 carriage and convenient reference. I have occupied myself 

 during occasional leisure hours in preparing a manual of this 

 kind, as directed in G-. 0., No. 767, 10th June 1857. But as 

 the duties devolving upon me increased, the time available for 

 this collateral occupation has unavoidably diminished. I take 

 home the materials, and hope to progress with the work. 



46. Herbarium and Library. — The department is now so 

 developed as to render it of importance that a herbarium and 

 library for reference be established and attached to the office. 

 Already a nucleus of both of these is in existence, and it only 

 remains that they be fully recognised, and such measures adopted 

 as will render them of real and permanent use to the department. 

 It is believed that, by judicious arrangements, considerable addi- 

 tions might be made from time to time both to the library and 

 herbarium. Important contributions are periodically received 

 from Sir W. Hooker, Director, Eoyal Gardens, Kew, from Dr 

 Thomson, Calcutta, and regular communication is kept up with 

 other centres of influence. A few purchases would now be ad- 

 vantageous, and I propose seeking permission to make them as 

 occasion arises. 



47. Office Establishment. — The duties have been carefully per- 

 formed by native surgeon F. Appavu, who has laboured well to 

 get the accounts into a proper system. The utmost simplicity 



* The series of colonial floras, commenced under the auspices of Go- 

 vernment, promises to be extremely valuable, and it is hoped will extend 

 to the Indian empire. The Flora Capensis and Flora Hongkongensis form 

 good models for future operations. 



