PREFACE TO THE SIXTH VOLUME. 



The heavy loss which the scientific world in general, more 

 particularly the Indian portion of it, and in an especial 

 manner the supporters of this Journal, experienced since 

 our last annual preface was written, so paralysed our efforts, 

 that at first we saw no alternative but to discontinue the work. 



The very prompt and kind assistance, particularly of Dr. 

 Wight and Mr. Gardner, in the department in which the 

 death of Mr. Griffith had left so great a blank, ultimately 

 -determined us, with the aid of other friends, to continue the 

 work, at least for the present. 



It was announced in a notice prefixed to the 23rd number, 

 that the Government had permitted the appearance of our 

 late friend's papers in our pages, preparatory to their being 

 transmitted to England, and authorised, in the most liberal 

 manner, the necessary assistance for the execution of the 

 plates connected with the Botanical portion of his labours. 



The Government however on becoming further acquainted 

 with the nature and extent of the papers in question, the 

 difficulty of transcribing them accurately, as a precaution 

 against accidents by sea, such as befell the similar papers and 

 collections of the late Dr. Jack, will probably be disposed to 

 sanction a preliminary publication of the whole in a separate 



