1838.] Scientific Intelligence : Wight's Indian Botawj, 269 



Dr. Wight's Illustrations of Indian Botany. 



We have seen the first number of this wovk in the printer's banrls^^ 

 Hot yet stitched together, and hasten to announce the fact to the nu^ 

 merous subscribers, assuring them, at the same time, that, in our opi- 

 nion, the most sanguine expectations regarding the mode of its execu" 

 tion will be amply fulfilled. To the botanist and to the amateur stu- 

 dent who is desirous of obtaining a knowledge of the vegetable produc- 

 tions of India, they are every thing that can possibly be desired, and 

 the most faslidious lover of the fine arts will be gratified with the litho- 

 graphs, cind astonished that such works should have been produced \xx 

 this country. Our own feelings on the subject are those of unmixed 

 gratification and wonder, It must be recollected, however, that these 

 are the first specimens from unpractised hands, and that (truly excellent 

 as they are) they are susceptible of improvement, and will attain a stiU 

 higher degree of perfection, when those employed shall have been ren= 

 dered more expert by the experience acquired in th e progress of the 

 work. It is cheering and gratifying to observe the zeal and energy 

 with which the talented and spirited author overcomes obstacles which 

 to ordinary minds would be insurmountable. He has constructed a 

 lithographic press at Madras, and the whole process is conducted on 

 his own premises, and he has only bought experience by numerous 

 difficuities and failures, which have served to freshen his ardour, in- 

 rjtead of frustrating the project altogether. 



From the terms of the publication in the Prospectus, (see our 

 last Number) it will be readily known that no pecuniary profit is 

 looked for by the author. The already crowded subscription list will 

 go a good way to defray his expences, and Vi^e trust and believe that he 

 will not be permitted to sutfer loss. The impression of the work will 

 consist of a limited number of copies, only, so that it is particularly 

 desirable that the number of subscribers should be speedily ascertain- 

 *id, as not many surplus will be struck off. 



Lieutenant Newbold on the Straits of Malacca. 



Lieutenant Newbold, whose residence in the Straits, and abilities 

 (or the task, render him a competent authority, purposes to publish a 



