184-8.] 



the late Br. A. T. Christie. 



159 



had all that practical skill required in collecting the species, and 

 tracing them, with a Tiew of their physical and geographical uses in 

 the vast countries which, it was hoped, would have been explored 

 by him." 



Mere collectors of objects of natural history," it was added, 

 *' will no longer satisfy either the E. I. Company, or the demands of 

 science. Plants may be collected by a well instructed gardener, 

 and rock specimens by a skilful lapidary. The naturalists sent to 

 India ought to be of a different stamp. They should be armed at all 

 points with the powers of general science ; with a thorough know- 

 ledge of those instruments employed in investigating the phenomena 

 of the atmosphere, and of the waters of the globe, and the physical 

 constitution of the earth ; an extensive and accurate practical ac- 

 quaintance with the present state of the most important of the natu- 

 ral sciences, both in a general and economical view, viz., geology 

 and mineralogy. And it will be very desirable, and indeed indis- 

 pensable, that those entrusted with the natural history surveys in In- 

 dia, should be able to collect with judgment, and investigate with 

 accuracy the facts presented by the animal and vegetable kingdoms." 



These observations were penned in the expectation of a worthy 

 successor being immediately selected to supply Dr. Christie's place. 

 That hope has never been realized. It was to his voluntary and un- 

 aided enthusiasm alone, that the idea of any researches of the kind 

 owed its origin. With his death the project expired. The value of 

 such investigations is unhappily not recognized by British statesmen ; 

 and although India has exhibited repeated instances, among her 

 adopted sons, of the rare and valuable qualifications which such pur- 

 suits demand, she has not yet reaped an adequate return from their 

 employment in the direction best adapted for the public good. Of 

 late a more enlightened spirit seems to have actuated the public men 

 of England, and the illustrated scientific publications of the results 

 obtained during the voyages of the Sulphur^ the Blossom, and the 

 Samarang ^ do credit to the liberality of the statesmen, under whose 

 auspices they have appeared. Let us hope that similar enlarged 

 views may, at no distant period, be extended to India. 



