PREFACE. 
• • • 
Vlll 
point of connection amongst those who take an interest in the pursuit of 
useful knowledge, and to have offered to them a means of recording any 
facts they may become acquainted with, and which, otherwise, from the 
dispersed state of European society in this country, and the little com- 
munication amongst us, would be lost. If it be conceded to us, that we 
have effected thus much, it is all that we claim ; all that we ever expected 
to perform. Hereafter the work may attain a maturity which may entitle 
it to the notice of the scientific public in Europe. 
We have added considerably, in the present volume, to the list of 
subjects treated in our last, and yet how many of the greatest import- 
ance remain untouched. To give a list of the desiderata in Indian 
Science, is an attempt we are unequal to ; but it may not be amiss to 
glance at some of the more useful tasks, which many of our Corre- 
spondents, we doubt not, have the means of performing. A good account 
of the timber trees of India is much wanted. A reversed vocabulary of 
Indian plants, ot which the list of synonimes in our June number might 
form the basis, would be very useful. Chemical examinations of the se- 
veral oils, resins, gums, and gum resins of India, would be useful, if only 
to attract the notice of chemists in Europe to a subject full of curiosity 
and interest. Of Geographical information, as of Geological, we have 
as yet failed to collect the ample stores we had hoped at our outset to 
become possessed of. Many of our readers must possess details of this 
kind, which it is a subject of regret should be lost to the world. We 
would also suggest the subject of Biographical notices, as one worthy of 
attention. If to these be added the many questions springing from 
the two great departments of practical science,— public works and 
manufacturing chemistry,— we think those who wish to aid us need 
never be at a loss. We would also invite the communication of po- 
pular views of the several branches of science, as well as historical 
statements of the progress made in any particular department ; notices of 
new views, or recent improvements, &c. &c. 
We must not conclude without offering our thanks for the liberal 
mention which the conductors of the daily and weekly press have con- 
tinued to make of our labours. With our limited funds we found we could 
not afford the charge of advertising the work, so as to give it a fair 
chance of becoming generally known ; we are, therefore, the more be- 
holden to them for their very considerate notice of it, in a prominent 
part ot their publications, to which circumstance, we doubt not, is 
mainly attributable the great increase in our subscription list since the 
publication of our first volume. Their favourable opinion of our hum- 
le efforts, next to the support of our Correspondents, has been 
clnef incentive to persevere in the task we had undertaken. 
our 
