been to present as complete a history in all their relations, of each group, as the frequently interrupted and unaided labours of an isolated individual, cut off from all immediate intercourse with the lights of the science, could do. That blunders and imperfections are numerous, I cannot doubt, but I trust not more so than might fairly be expected in the unfavourable circumstances under which I write or than will easily be forgiven by those who detect them. The difficulty of superintending the press where the compositors and professional readers are ignorant of the language, is always great : this is in a great measure the case with the present work, and being myself, at the outset but little practised in the duty of 'reader,' I am sorry to observe that several typographical errors have escaped observation while correcting the press. Those appertaining to the names of plants have been carefully corrected in the index, and a few in the errata.
On the pictorial division of the work it is a source of much regret, that I cannot speak in terms so favourable as my too sanguine anticipations at one time gave me reason to hope — all that I can say on this subject is, that no pains have been spared by me to bring the work nearer to perfection than it has yet attained, and my exertions assuredly will not for the future be discontinued. It is however to be borne in mind that this being the first work of the kind that ever issued from the Madras press; an establishment had to be formed expressly for itself: that colours of the best qualities are not to be had at any cost, and lastly, that until the arrival of a fresh supply of paper for to the publication of the 1 1th number, our material was much deteriorated by age and even so far damaged as to render the use of superior colours almost nugatory. For the future this last source of failure will be avoided and I still hope, the character of the work will rise with its progress towards its termination and ensure it a continuation of that support without which, it is impossible my contracted means, can bring it to a close, the more so, as it has already involved an outlay so much beyond its returns, that but for the liberal aid of Government in patronizing it and its fellow the ICONES, to the extent of 50 copies each, both, must long ago have ceased to exist. In concluding this brief Preface it only remains for me to say, that in the continuance of the work the same degree of care in preparing the letter-press will invariably be bestowed, and no exertion spared towards the improvement of the plates.
- Madras:
30th December 1839.
