INTRODUCTION. 



5 



distant and barbarous countries still associated with difficulties, but in order to draw 

 these pictures very different circumstances have to be considered from those which 

 affect ordinary landscapes. The artist must see with the eyes of a naturalist. He must 

 also be in the position to have at least the engraver under his continued control, if 

 the real value of his work is to be preserved. Besides, there are required numerous 

 contributions from all sides in order finally to form that great collection, the object 

 of which will be always more scientific than artistic ; and it does not appear 

 advisable to refrain from publishing what has been prepared exclusively with this 

 end, merely because, viewed from a purely artistic point, it may be deemed unsatis- 

 factory. 



This applies to the following " views," in which doubtless much of the ac- 

 customed artistic effects will be missed ; nevertheless they will, it is hoped, supply 

 a fair notion of the countries in which they were taken. It may also not be 

 deemed superfluous to add a few words about the way in which they originated. 

 On the departure of the Russian corvette "Senjawin," in 1826, the botanists of 

 St. Petersburg suggested that, as opportunity offered, as many portraits and charac- 

 teristic sketches of the vegetation as possible should be taken. Although un- 

 acquainted with botany, I was deeply interested in carrying out this suggestion, 

 and in my mind conceived a series of pictures, from which the following may have 

 borrowed its form. Still want of time, generally experienced by the naturalists 

 of exploring expeditions, would probably have prevented me from carrying my 

 resolution into effect, if the nature of my occupation had not essentially tended 

 to favour it. Sporting and collecting zoological objects constantly brought the 

 features of the vegetation before my eyes. Setting out with the determination 

 to construct a view, I generally succeeded in accomplishing it during the short 

 time that we used to remain at anchor in each place, provided I had collected the 

 necessary materials. These consisted — 1, in a sketch of any comprehensive land- 

 scape, in which generally several, according to the principal peculiarities of the 

 soil, were joined ; 2, in a sufficient number of portraits of the larger plants, occupy- 

 ing the respective soils, and which, unless already embodied in the general sketch, 

 might unhesitatingly be introduced. A rough draft of the whole was generally 

 made directly after leaving the country to which it referred, when the survey of 

 nothing save sky and water did not interfere with the vivid recollections of im- 

 pressions just received. A few possible mistakes were guarded against by the 

 presence of Dr. Mertens, my dear friend and travelling companion, who gene- 

 rally knew well the plants illustrated, had collected them himself, and preserved 

 what he had seen fresh in his memory. Thus these " views," even when origi- 



B 3 



