IN MEMOBTAM 
I have watched the progress of this work with sympathy and 
interest. I had not thought that the death of its distinguished 
author would impose on me the sad task of writing these words to 
his memory. 
Sir Henry Collett was born in 1836 and entered the Bengal 
Army when he was only nineteen. His military career was one of 
great distinction. The Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Earl 
Roberts, K.G., Y.C., etc., has with great kindness given me the 
following account of it. 
March 1, 1902. 
Dear Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, — I was indeed well 
acquainted with the late Sir Henry Collett, and had a great regard 
for him. Throughout his military life he was as persevering and 
thorough as you describe him to be in the preparation of his book 
on the indigenous plants of Simla. 
Sir Henry Collett took a prominent part in several campaigns. 
As quite a boy he served during the Indian Mutiny. The follow- 
ing year, 1858, he took part in the Sittana Expedition on the 
N.W. Frontier of India. 
Five years later (1862-63) he was with a force employed in the 
Cossya and Jyntea hills on the S.E. Frontier of India, and 
received a severe wound in the ankle, which lamed him for life. 
In 1867-68 he took part in the Abyssinian Expedition, and it 
was then, I think, I made his first acquaintance. 
When the second Afghan war broke out in 1878, I applied for 
Major (as he then was) Collett to be attached to my column as 
Assistant Quarter-Master-General. He remained with me during 
the two years the war lasted, and afforded me very valuable assist- 
ance. It was from information gained by Major Collett, by means 
