THE BANKSIAN BOTANICAL COLLECTORS. 153 
It would appear from the following letter that the recall of Cun- 
ningham arose, at least, owing to a desire to curtail expenses : — 
“ Of late years the means of maintaining this garden (Kew) appear 
to have been considerably reduced, one or two collectors sent abroad 
in 1814 for collecting seeds and plants, and communicating with similar 
establishments in other coimtries, having been recalled in 1823, and 
the other in 1830.” (Letter from office of Woods, &c., 24th April, 
1839, to Treasury, quoted at page 99 of “ Report of Committee on 
Botanical Work, 1901.”) 
On the death of Fraser (31st December, 1831) the office of Colonial 
Botanist was offered to Allan Cunningham, which he declined in favour 
of his brother Richard, who, bearing a strong recommendation from 
Robert Brown, received the appointment from the Colonial Office. 
A few months after his brother Richard’s lamentable death in April, 
1835, Allan was again offered the appointment, and accepted it. 
The intervening years were spent at Kew Green naming and arrang- 
ing his plants, doubtless with some remuneration from Alton (Director 
of Kew). 
Following are two papers he wrote during this period : — 
“ Synopsis des especes du genre Alyxia, de la farnille des Apocynees,” 
Ann. "ci. Xat. iv (Bot.), 1835, pages 302-307. 
“Synopsis du genre Calythrix de la farnille des Myrtacees ” (1834),* 
Ann. Sn. Xn' iv. (Bot.), 1835, pages 305-.07. 
He sailed for Sydney in October, 1836, to take up his new post. 
He arrived on 12th February, and his appointment was announced 
in the Xew South Wales Government Gazette, of 1st iMarch, 1837, as 
■“ Colonial Botanist and Superintendent of the Botanic Garden.” 
A few months later, dissatiffied with the large amount of vegetable- 
growing he was re<ju;red to do for the officers of the colonv, which 
took him away, he stated, from his legitimate botanical duties, he 
sent in his risignation. 
Relieved of the cares of the Botairic Garden, Cunningham then, 
with the disease that carried him away evidently firmly fixed upon 
him, made preparations for a further scientific expedition to New 
Zealand. Writing to friends in England under date 15th January, 
1838, he said : — “ Tell all that I have discharged the Government 
■cabbage-garden in disgust, and am now to enter with all my might, 
mental and corporeal, on a nrore legitimate occupation for a few 
months.” 
He delayed his departure until the arrival of Governor Sir George 
Gipps, on the 23rd February. His Excellency was inclined to take a 
great interest in the Botanic Garden, and made a genuine effort to 
• See MSS. at Kew. for work of his during the present year: — Congestiones plantarum minus 
cognitarum .^ustralasise, &c. 1834. 8vo. 
