85 



Observations on the Flora of Coiivtalium. [April 



tract of country of equal size exhibits such a profusion of 

 plants as this does. 



The great length of time required to arrange so large a 

 collection, even roughly, embracing as it does from 15 to 

 20,000 specimens, while subject to the usual interruptions of 

 a professional life, prevented me sooner continuing these re- 

 marks, and other, and more pressing avocations, will I fear, 

 constrain me to break them off on the present occasion, at an 

 earlier stage than I originally contemplated. 



In this, and my subsequent communications on the same 

 subject, it is my intention to notice as briefly as possible, the 

 leading peculiarities of structure, geographical distribution, 

 and uses, of the several natural orders of plants found here. 

 In these remarks, it shall be my constant endeavour, to 

 adopt a style and mode of illustration, freed to the utmost 

 from technicalities, but without making any sacrifice- of 

 science, my object being, to present, in the most inviting garb, 

 her truths to the general reader ; in the hope of expediting 

 the diffusion of a knowledge of them, and aiding in establish- 

 ing a taste for Natural History, a study which, in the words of' 

 the accomplished President of the Bombay branch of the 

 Asiatic Society,* " being directly conversant with the works 

 of God, is, in all circumstances, possessed of the highest in- 

 terest, and conduces both to intellectual gratification and 

 moral improvement ; and in such a country as India, so vast 

 in its extent, so grand and multifarious in its productions, is 

 possessed of peculiar charms. The sojourners in Bombay 

 (in India) have in the mountains and forests and Islands of 

 the neighbourhood, innumerable objects, connected espe- 

 cially with Geology, Botany and Zoology, which allure atten- 

 tion, both from their comparative novelty and intrinsic' in- 

 terest. The report of observation and discovery connected 

 with them, would form an agreeable recreation, even to those 

 who may be most ardent and persevering in their researches 

 into the other important objects of the. Society's investiga- 

 tion." 



* Vide abridged report of the President's Address. — Madras Herald, 

 10th February 1836. 



