Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

2

WORKS RELATING TO INDIA,

India, dwelling especially on the results of the Surveys of the Himalayas, (of which a view from the vicinity of Almorah is given in the Frontispiece,) and the Travels of Messrs. Turner, Moorcroft, and the Gerards, with notices of the elevations of the highest Peaks and Passes. This is followed by a view of the GEOLOGICAL FEATURES of the Plains and Mountains, illustrated by a Plate of Sections, (in which the Author was assisted by Mr. DE LA BECHE,) and three plates of Fossil Plants and Animals, containing 54 figures. The METEOROLOGY is next treated of, and the climate of the Tropics compared with that of the Plains and Mountains of India, with tabular Views of the monthly and diurnal range of the Barometer and Thermometer in the Plains of India. The characteristics of Himalayan Climate, consisting of mildness, and equability of Temperature and of Pressure, at such elevations as Simla and Mussooree, resorted to by Europeans for the recovery of health, are then given.

The Physical Features, Soil, and Climate having been noticed, a general view of the GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION of the Plants and Animals which these are calculated to support, is treated of in an Introductory Chapter, in connection with the CULTIVATION at different seasons and at several elevations.

The BOTANY itself is arranged according to the Natural System, under the heads of 207 families, illustrated by colored plates of 197 PLANTS. The observations on each Family consist of a notice of its Geographical Distribution in different parts of the world, an enumeration of the Genera and remarkable species found either in the Plains and Hot Vallies, or in the Mountains of India; and the Vegetation natural to different parts of India is compared with that of other countries enjoying similar climates. This plan was adopted, as giving the most interesting and important general results, and as leading to a just appreciation of the influence of Physical Agents on Vegetation, and as elucidating those principles which require to be attended to in the Culture both of new Plants, and of old Plants in new situations. It also afforded great facilities in treating of the properties of Plants as connected with structure, and for showing the immense resources of British India, and the probable means of still further increasing them.

The subjects of AGRICULTURAL and COMMERCIAL importance which are more fully treated of, are Tea, Cotton, and Tobacco; and the probability of the first being successfully grown in the Mountains, and the two latter in the Plains, is shown by application to Practice of the principles of Science. Also Hemp, Flax, and the Cordage Plants; and, among Medicines, the Cinchonas, Ipecacuanha, Sarsaparilla, Senna, Rhubarb, and Henbane, with many others. As articles of Culture and Commerce, various Timber trees, Gums, Resins, Caoutchouc, Astringents, Dyes, Vegetable Oils, Fruit Trees, the Olive and Carob Trees, Corn and Pasture Grasses, Salep, Arrow-Root, and other articles of diet, are pointed out. As subjects of CLASSICAL Interest elucidated, may be noticed Lycium, Agallochum, or Eagle Wood, Calamus Aromaticus, and Spikenard of the Ancients; also their Costus, which is the Puchuk of Commerce.

In connection with the Climate and Vegetation, it is interesting to notice the Animal Forms, and this has been done in two able papers, one on the ENTOMOLOGY of India, and the Himalayas, by the Reverend F. W. HOPE, President of the Entomological Society, which is illustrated with two colored plates of 20 insects, and the other on the MAMMALOGY of the Himalayas, by W. OGILBY, Esq., Secretary of the Zoological Society; this is illustrated by a figure of Lagomys, (new species,) and also by two of Deer. A list of the BIRDS in the Author's Collection is also appended, and two plates, one of Birds of Tropical Forms found in the Himalayas in the rainy season, and the other of Himalayan Birds of European forms are given.

As the work contains so much of detail as well as of General Views it would have been comparatively useless without easy means of reference. This has been supplied by an Analytical Table of Contents, and by Alphabetical Indexes at the end of the book, extending to 34 pages; also an Alphabetical List of Plates for the Second Volume.

PUBLISHED BY Wм. H. ALLEN AND CO.

3

NOTICES OF THE WORK.

"It is not too much to say of this very remarkable work, that it is indispensable to all who would acquire a knowledge of the vegetation, climate, and soil of the north of India."-Athenæum.

"This work unquestionably contains a greater amount of valuable practical information upon useful matters than any work yet written upon the foreign possessions of any other European power."-Dr. Lindley in Botanical Register.

"The observations respecting the geographical description of the Flora of Northern India are very interesting; and the work will be valuable in supplying a rich mass of facts on' the Natural History, of a part of the world of which our knowledge has hitherto been very vague and partial."-Loudon's Gardener's Magazine.

"We may now congratulate the public on a great blank in the physical geography of India being satisfactorily filled up by the appearance of this important work. The plates are remarkably good."-Asiatic Journal.

"A perusal of the very interesting letter-press, and a careful examination of the wellengraved and beautifully-colored plates of Himalayan plants and animals fully realize the very favorable opinion we expressed of Mr. ROYLE's Illustrations, an opinion founded on the well-known and highly-esteemed practical skill of our author as naturalist, and his activity and intelligence as a traveller."-Jameson's Edinburgh Philosophical Journal.

a

"Replete with varied and important facts and inferences, no one can peruse this work without advantage and great satisfaction. So perfect do we regard this work in all its departments, that we are sensible of no desideratum, except that of the remaining portion of it, which, we trust, will speedily be laid before the public. The plates are very beautifully executed and colored."-London Medical Gazette.

"A more valuable contribution has rarely been made to the science of Natural History than by the splendid work of Mr. J. FORBES ROYLE. The work, in short, is highly deserving of public patronage."-Times.

"Of this region, (the Himalayan) an invaluable account is given by Mr. ROYLE in the above work, to which we are indebted for the principal part of our data regarding the vegetation of India."-Penny Cyclopædia.

"The constant attention which is paid in this work to useful matters, and the skilful manner in which general views are made to bear upon particular cases of practical value, render it of immense importance to all who have a stake in our Indian possessions. We particularly refer to the articles on Cotton and Tea, both which deserve the most serious attention of the Indian Government. The value of such a work is scarcely to be appreciated."-Athenæum, 1834. Second Notice.

"Such an authentic and almost official book, in express contribution to an extension of our information, must be welcome, must be valued, must be taken into possession."-Loudon's Magazine of Natural History.

"We feel justified in pronouncing this to be by far the most valuable practical work which has yet been published with reference to the vegetable resources of the British territories in Asia; and the most calculated to show how the vegetable kingdom is capable of extending our revenues in the most valuable part of our Colonial possessions."-Asiatic Journal. Second Notice.

"We rise from an attentive examination of this work, in doubt whether the botanical knowledge which it displays and imparts, or the patriotic spirit which pervades it, calls for the higher admiration. We are, however, certain that every Botanist who desires to demonstrate what are the practical uses of his study, may appeal to it with satisfaction, to shew its bearings upon the affairs of life; while the Merchant who is interested in the produce of the East should patronize it, as contributing largely to promote a just knowledge of the resources of that vast empire, the improvement of which would materially increase the commercial greatness of Britain and of India.”London Medical Gazette. Second Notice.

"No one who would be acquainted either with the ornamental, the cultural, or the medical qualities of the Indian Flora, can dispense with the possession of DR. ROYLE's highly-valuable labours."—Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

"Mr. ROYLE's work presents a most systematic and complete view of the Natural

4

WORKS RELATING TO INDIA,

History of those Regions which, though the first that has been given to the world, will probably long remain the best. Instead of being one to be prized by mere botanists or geologists, it is likely to have the warmest admirers among the politico-economical class, whose principal care is how to increase the "Wealth of Nations." Its contents are of so generally-interesting a nature that it can hardly fail of obtaining a very extensive share of popularity."-Mechanic's Magazine.

"We highly recommend this publication to our readers, containing, as it does, not only an ample store of information respecting the natural productions of the Himalayas, but also the best general view of the physical features of those magnificent mountains."-London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science.

"The work is chiefly addressed to the scientific naturalist, but contains much that is also interesting to the more general student, as well as a vast number of interesting statements regarding a most interesting portion of the globe."—Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.

"This will be found to be one of the most scientific and comprehensive works of the kind that has ever been published."-Arboretum Britannicum.

"The text is rich in original details, as well as in elaborate scientific researches ; and every thing bearing on the Materia Medica, whether as acknowledged in the schools, or as existing only in the written dispensatories of the natives of the country, is studiously noticed.”—British and Foreign Medical Review.

"Dr. LINDLEY, on the subject of Geography of Plants, after referring to the works of Brown, Humboldt, De Candolle, and Schouw, refers his readers to "ROYLE's most instructive Work on the Flora of Northern India, and of Cashmere."-Introduction to Botany. Second Edition, p. 523.

"We strongly recommend this work, not only to botanists and horticulturists, but to readers generally, as full of instructive matter, agreeably placed before them, on subjects in which all are interested."-Loudon's Gardener's Magazine. Second Notice.

By the same Author,

AN ESSAY

ON THE

ANTIQUITY OF HINDOO MEDICINE ;

INCLUDING AN

Introductory Lecture to the Course of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, delivered at King's-College. 8vo. 6s. 6d. boards.

"This very curious volume has been already so fully noticed in the different literary and medical journals, that we have only the agreeable duty of recommending it to the notice of our general and medical readers."-Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal.

"A work of immense research and erudition."-Medico Chirurgical Review.

"The existence, then, of a School of Medicine in Hindostan, prior to the age of Dioscorides, or even of Hippocrates, to the extent of this portion of knowledge, (Materia Medica,) becomes matter of demonstration. We cannot pretend to trace the variety of proofs which Dr. ROYLE produces to make out his case. For this purpose he ransacks the history of Medicine, as it existed among the Persians, Arabs, and Greeks; all of whom he shews to have obtained much from the Hindoos, whose science, therefore, must have been anterior to theirs. He brings, likewise, a number of facts, derived from Hindoo literature, to shew not only the culture of Medicine, but of Philosophy, the fine and useful arts, and Mathematics, at a very remote period. He further enters into the details of early commerce, and brings together numerous proofs that the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Jews, and Arabs, had constant communications with India. To detail these, would be to quote the entire volume."-Athenæum.

PUBLISHED BY Wм. H. ALLEN AND CO.

2.

THE LAW RELATING TO INDIA AND THE EAST INDIA

COMPANY;

With Notes and an Appendix. 4to. cloth. £3. 3s.

"A valuable volume, prepared apparently with great accuracy."-Times.

3.

ACHEEN, AND THE PORTS ON THE NORTH AND EAST COASTS OF SUMATRA ;

With Incidental Notices of the Trade in the Eastern Seas, and the Aggressions of the Dutch.

By JOHN ANDERSON, Esq.,

5

Late of the Hon. East India Company's Civil Service at Penang, Singapore, & Malacca. 8vo. cloth boards, 7s. 6d.

4.

CHAPTERS OF THE

MODERN HISTORY OF BRITISH INDIA.

By EDWARD THORNTON, Esq.

Author of "India; its State and Prospects." 8vo. cloth boards, lettered. £1. 1s. "This is a valuable work, the result of much knowledge and much thought, containing considerable matter, and displaying throughout an animated, and so far as the gravity of the subject admits, a not ungraceful style. The reflections of the Author are judicious, and his opinions upon men and events unprejudiced and impartial."-Spectator.

"The book is full of solid information."-Examiner.

5.

TRAVELS IN WESTERN INDIA,

Embracing a Visit to the SACRED MOUNTAINS of the JAINS; and the most celebrated SHRINES of the HINDOO FAITH, between RAJPOOTANA and the INDUS; and an account of the ancient CITY of NEHRWALLA.

By the late Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES TOD,

Author of "The Annals of Rajasthan." Royal 4to. cloth. Price £3. 13s. 6d. This Work is embellished with Nine Plates and Vignettes, beautifully engraved from Sketches by Mrs. HUNTER BLAIR.

A work which must be regarded as the most important, the most full, and the most interesting that has ever appeared upon Western India."-Atlas.

"As a sequel to the Annals,' the present publication takes it place among the most valuable contributions to our knowledge of India,”—Literary Gazette.

6.

The BUCHANAN PAPERS.

THE HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES, TOPOGRAPHY, & STATISTICS OF

EASTERN INDIA;

Comprising the districts of Behar, Shahabad, Bhagulpore, Gorukpore, Dinajepore, Puraniya, Rungpore, and Assam, in relation to their Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, Agriculture, Commerce, &c. &c. Surveyed under the orders of the Supreme Government, and collated from the original documents at the EAST INDIA HOUSE, by MONTGOMERY MARTIN. Complete in 3 vols. 8vo. with numerous plates. £3. 12s. cloth boards, lettered.

"This work is now concluded, and we can only repeat our previous opinion, that it is one of the most valuable additions to the literature of the present day."-Literary Gazette.

"The materials collected are of the most valuable kind."-Asiatic Journal.

"Mr. MARTIN's industry deserves our warmest praise."-Naval and Military Gazette.

[blocks in formation]

In the WEST INDIES, SOUTH AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA, ASIA, AUSTRALASIA, AFRICA, and EUROPE; FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE. By MONTGOMERY MARTIN,

Author of the "History of the British Colonies," &c. &c. In one large vol. royal 8vo. With Maps, Plans, &c. Price £2. 2s. cloth boards.

A work of reference for the Statesman, Merchant, Emigrant, &c.

"It is a book which no library ought to be without."-New Monthly Magazine.

"This is, undoubtedly, one of the most valuable compilations of modern times."-U. S. Journal.

"It is not only the most complete publication of its kind extant, but the most authentic."—Atlas.

"A more laborious, and at the same time essentially useful volume, has never come before us."-Naval and Military Gazette.

"It forms, in fact, a complete Colonial Encyclopædia.”—Argus.

8.

CONSIDERATIONS

RESPECTING THE

TRADE WITH CHINA.

By JOSEPH THOMPSON, late of the East India House. Post 8vo. 5s. boards.

9.

THE WELLESLEY DESPATCHES: INDIA.

THE DESPATCHES, MINUTES, AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MAR-
QUESS WELLESLEY, K. G., during his Administration in India.
Revised by his Lordship, and Edited by Mr. MONTGOMERY MARTIN.
Now complete in 5 large vols. 8vo. with Portrait, Maps, Plans, &c.
Price £6. 10s. cloth boards.

"Lord WELLESLEY's letters are admirable compositions: they are evidence of a highly-gifted mind, and the collection of historical facts cannot but be highly appreciated.”—Naval & Military Gazette. "The despatches may be truly called national records, of which England may justly be proud." Metropolitan Magazine.

66 A publication of peculiar and extraordinary interest."-Edinburgh Review.

10.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND REPORTS

Taken before the Select Committees of both Houses of Parliament, previous to the
Renewal of the Company's Charter, in 1833, and the Opening of the
CHINA TRADE. 2 vols. 8vo. Price £2. 2s. boards.

11.

THE CHINESE VINDICATED;

OR, ANOTHER VIEW OF THE OPIUM QUESTION;

Being in reply to a Pamphlet by SAMUEL WARREN, Esq. By CAPT. T. H. BULLOCK. 8vo. sewed. 2s. 6d.

12.

THE EAST INDIA GAZETTEER;

Containing particular Descriptions of the Empires, Kingdoms, Principalities,
Provinces, Cities, &c. of Hindostan, and the adjacent Countries;
India beyond the Ganges, &c.

By the late WALTER HAMILTON. 2 vols. 8vo. £1. 12s. cloth boards, lettered.

« ZurückWeiter »