82 
SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 
■species. Thus, thought I, the world will be delighted and benefited by all these 
discoveries; and the foundations of true science will be strengthened, so as to 
■endure through all generations. 
I am under great apprehension that if this collection should remain untouched 
till Solander’s return, it might share the same lot as Forskall’s Arabian specimens 
at Copenhagen. Thus shall I be only more and more confirmed in my opinion 
that the fates are ever adverse to the greatest undertakings of mankind. 
Solander promised long ago, while detained off the coast of Brazil, in the early 
part of his voyage, that he would visit me after his return ; of which I have been 
in expectation. If he had brought some of his specimens with him I could at once 
have told him what were new ; and we might have turned over books together, 
and he might have been informed or satisfied upon many subjects, which after 
my death will not be so ea.sily explained. 
I have no answer from him to the letter I enclosed to you, which I cannot but 
wonder at. You, yourself, know how much I have esteemed him, and how 
strongly I recommended him to you. 
By all that is great and good, I entreat you, who know so well the value of 
science, to do all that in you lies for the publication of these new acquisitions, 
that the learned world may not be deprived of them. They will afford a fresh 
proof that the English nation promotes science more than the French, or all other 
people together. At the same time, let me earnestly beg of you to publish, as 
soon as possible, your own work, explaining those elegant plates of rare Zoophytes, 
&c., which you last sent me. I can no longer restrain my impatience. Allow me 
to remind you that nothing is so uncertain, nothing so deceitful, as human life ; 
(nothing so frail or surrounded with so many diseases and dangers, as man. 
Again, the j)lants of Solander and Banks recur to my imagination. When I 
turn over Feuillee’s figures, I meet with more extraordinary things among them 
than anywhere else. I cannot but presume, therefore, as Peru and ChiU are 
so rich, that in the South Sea Islands as great an abundance of rarities have 
.remained in concealment, from the beginning of the world, to reward the labours 
of our illustrious voyagers. I see these things now, but afar off. If our travellers 
■should take another trip, I shall have seen them as Moses saw Canaan. 
When I ponder upon the insects they have brought, I. am overwhelmed at the 
reported number of new species. Are there many new genera? Amongst all the 
insects sent from the Cape, I have met ■with no new genus, which is remarkable. 
And yet, excei>t four European ones, they were all new species. 
Pray make use of your interest with Solander to inform me to what class and 
■order the Nutmeg belongs. I shall not take advantage of this information without 
making honourable mention of my authority. 
When I think of their ynolhisca, I conceive the new ones must be ver\- numerous. 
The.se animals cannot be investigated after death, as thej' contract in dying. 
Without doubt, as there were draughtsmen on board, they would not fail to 
afford ample materials for drawing. 
Do but consider, my friend, if these treasures are kept back, what may happen 
to them : they may be devoured by v^ermin of all kinds. The house where they 
are lodged may be burnt. Those destined to describe them may die; even you, 
the promoter of every .scientific undertaking in your country, may be taken from 
us. All sublunary things are uncertain, nor ought any thina to be trusted to 
treacherous futurity. I therefore once more beg, nay, I earnestly beseech you, to 
■urge the publication of these new discoveries. I confess it to be my most ardent 
wish to see this done before I die. To whom can I urge my anxious wishes but 
to you, who are so devoted to me and to science ? Bemember me to the immortal 
Banks and Solander.* 
Corre.sp. ; LimiEm, i, 267-270. 
