PREFACE.
W hile the last sheets of this work are passing through the press, I avail myself of the leisure
now at my disposal to say a few words regarding it. From its commencement in 1838 to the
present time it has had to contend with considerable disadvantages, and been for the most part conducted
under circumstances unfavourable to the research necessary towards ensuring correct execution.
The press, both Printing and Lithographic, had at the outset to be in a great measure
formed for it. The former was conducted by persons very indifferently conversant with their Art,
from whom I could derive little or no assistance in the mechanical department, and who were so
overloaded with newspaper business that they had little time to devote to work of this kind. Latterly
a great change for the better has been effected as shown by the improved style in which it is now
turned out. As regards Lithography, it was comparatively untried and much had to be learned, but
happily, as the work advanced, it too improved, and has now attained such perfection as leaves little
to be desired, and, considering the disadvantages resulting from the unfavourable climate which has
to be contended with in India, it is perhaps scarcely susceptible of material improvement. But
whether or not I am correct in this conjecture, it is certain that the later volumes are much better
executed than the earlier ones. The material, too, and the getting up, owing to the unequal and uncertain
supplies of the Madras stationery market, were for some time deficient in uniformity.
As regards my share of the business I have, from the outset, had to work alone and at the
same time to conduct the duties of a public office. These were often extremely onerous, and not
seldom forced me to pass portions more rapidly through my hands than I considered quite consistent
with that accuracy of execution and detail which ought to characterize works of this kind. Add to
these, the very heavy drawback of being, for the last 12 years, stationed upwards of 300 miles from
the Press, and, I trust, an adequate excuse will be found for some at least of the typographical
and other errors with which, I grieve to have to acknowledge, the book abounds.
In regard to errors of nomenclature, which are wholly my own, I can only say that I have been
most anxious to guard against them, and have spared no pains, that I could bestow, to avoid their
occurrence. These, I trust, will therefore be found fewer and for the most part, to the full as venial
as the others. To have avoided them altogether was next to impossible in my situation. Such
errors appertain to nearly all botanical works of this class, even when conducted under circumstances
the most favourable towards insuring accuracy, such as botanical occupations and free intercourse
with Botanists, ready access to large herbaria, unrestricted use of well-stocked libraries, &c.
None of these has it been my good fortune to possess. I f such then are found in works emanating