PREFACE TO THE FOURTH VOLUME, 



It is due to the liberal supporters of the Calcutta Journal 

 of Natural History, to acknowledge the kind indulgence with 

 which the work has hitherto been received by them ; the 

 more so, as the nature of the subjects treated of in its pages 

 too frequently requires a dry technical phraseology, which is 

 never very inviting to the generality of readers. Fortunately, 

 the supporters of this work are many of them distinguished 

 in the pursuits of which it treats, and all of them more or less 

 eminent as enlightened patrons and friends of the improve- 

 ments of India. Those who take a just view of this impor- 

 tant matter, must be well aware, how much it depends upon 

 a knowledge of the productions of the country. 



They must be aware, how much the improvement of roads 

 depends upon the nearest sources of stone-quarries, forests 

 of suitable timber trees, the nature of iron ores in various 

 quarters, and the means of making them available. 



They must know, how essential a proper knowledge of the 

 plants of a country is to the improvement of particular objects 

 of cultivation. 



