IN MEMORIAM 
XXI 
would be hardly known to us but for the collections made by 
military officers, of whom Captain Deasy, the late Captain Wellby 
and Captain Malcolm, D.S.O., may more particularly be mentioned. 
Nor is it easy to estimate the position our knowledge of the Indian 
flora would occupy without the labours bf a long series of officers 
of the Indian Medical Department. And among Eussian officers 
the name of General Przewalski will always stand out pre- 
eminent for his botanical work in Western Asia. The fact is that 
the qualities that make for success both in the soldier and the 
botanist are largely identical : they are quick observation and the 
power of rapidly drawing correct observations from minute facts. 
When Collett discovered his giant rose through his field-glass he 
was using his eyes and his reasoning powers precisely as he would 
have done in a military reconnaissance. 
Collett’s personality had something wholly out of the common. 
Eather below the average height he had a spare, erect and well- 
knit figure. A bright, frank and alert expression was accompanied 
by a singular charm of manner. In many ways he constantly 
reminded me of the late General Gordon. And as with him a 
keen glance would sometimes flash from the eyes which showed 
that stern resolution would not be wanting on occasion. There 
was nothing about him of the beau sabreur, but he had all the 
impress of a man destined to lead and command. As with most 
distinguished soldiers, his address was singularly modest and 
simple ; at the same time he held decided views on most subjects 
and with extreme tenacity, though rarely caring to give expression 
to them. Nor did he ever refer to his past career. In fact, I 
never induced him to talk about it except in the case of the Mani- 
pur expedition, on which on merely geographical grounds I asked 
for information. He was not a copious correspondent, and his 
letters were always strictly to the point and expressed with 
soldierly terseness. 
Mr. Gamble, himself a botanist of distinction, who had long 
worked with him in India, sums up his estimate of Collett’s 
powers in words with which from my own experience I entirely 
concur : — 
‘ I am convinced that if Collett had been a professional botanist 
he would have made a great name for himself ; and it is possible 
