1836.] Prospectus of Dr. Zenker's Plantae Indicae. 33T 



portion of his time and attention, to contribute, as much as in him lies 

 to the spread of the knowledge of Botany in India; and he can testify- 

 that not only the bodily exercise in the fresh air, necessarily connected 

 with this alluring and delightful pursuit, but also — and perhaps still 

 more — the motive, have greatly contributed to benefit his health and 

 spirits. In the temple of nature, and in the instructive society of the 

 innocent, peaceful and altogether lovely children of the dewy field and 

 of a vernal sun, he has often felt himself nearer to the Creator than in 

 the choicest company of men or books ; and he has returned to his 

 more laborious duties and occupations, invariably with renewed elasti- 

 city and cheerfulness of mind. 



It would be quite superfluous to add to the above facts any other; 

 suffice it to observe that the study of Nature, and more particularly 

 that of Botany, which is the most easy of access to all kinds of indivi- 

 duals, prepares the youthful mind for the study of many other sciences, 

 allures and inures it, in the most pleasant and imperceptible manner, to 

 perseverance in any other pursuit, gives it solidity and, more particu- 

 larly, the habit of observing, comparing and distinguishing accurately, 

 cultivates a taste for simplicity, order and beauty ; and, far from 

 destroying the spirit of emulation, it rectifies and ennobles it, so that 

 this most powerful incitement to action may not prove a poison to the 

 peace of the individual or to the happiness of others. 



Since the Neelgherries nourish so many decidedly European genera 

 of plants (at Ootacamund and in its vicinity), and at the same time so 

 many Asiatic and tropical plants (at Kotagherry, Billical, and further 

 down the passes to the foot of the hills), Dr. Zenker's work, enti- 

 tled Plant(B Indices &c. is better calculated than perhaps any other 

 work of the kind, to assist both in commencing the study of Botany, 

 and in continuing it, whether they return to the low-country or to 

 Europe. They will find in this collection, engravings of plants so simi- 

 lar to other species in Europe, that they will be able with their aid 

 to classify, without the least difficulty, many of those plants which 

 they may meet with in England, or during their residence on the Con- 

 tinent; whilst other engravings will, with equal facility* make them 

 acquainted with plants which they may find in any part of India, or in 

 other countries within the tropics.. 



The writer of this paper, being convinced that the study of Botany, 

 is particularly suitable for ladies, and an important branch of the 

 education of children,, even when they are still under the care and 

 tuition of their mothers, has resolved to furnish an English trans- 

 lation of the Latin descriptions which accompany the engravings ; 

 and to add, after the publication of each tenth number (ten decades 

 will form a volume) such an English index, as will contribute to facili- 



