Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/500

472 them, which he can compare, point by point, with the written characters of the natural orders, selecting for illustration, as often as circumstances will permit, such plants as are valued on account of their useful properties.

In inviting public support to an undertaking of a kind so novel in Madras, it is necessary to give some information regarding the plan and cost of the work, though neither can as yet be said to be definitively determined upon- Several plans have suggested themselves, but the following seems to merit the preference.

The quarto size will be adopted, as affording more room for analysis and freer scope to the artist in making the drawings, a very considerable number of which are already prepared. The figures are to be coloured, and on each, in addition to the name of the order and plant figured, it is proposed to write the Tamul and Teloogoo and occasionally other names, in both native and Roman characters; and, lastly, each plate, in addition to its own number, will have the general number of the species in my Prodromus, if the plant is already described there, to facilitate reference, and after arrangement, should that become necessary. The letter press, in place of (as usual in such works) consisting of simple descriptions of the plants figured, and which can be little else than repetitions of the characters already published in the Flora, will, in the hope of rendering this portion of the work more generally useful and agreeable to both the botanical and general reader, be devoted to remarks illustrative of structural peculiarities; the valuable properties which predominate, either in the individual figured, or in the order to which it belongs; the methods adopted for procuring these, and peculiarities of culture, where such are required in their production.

In extent, it is not expected to exceed three hundred plates (but may possibly fall short of that number), to be published at the rate of about one hundred annually, in numbers, commencing in January 1838, or so soon as the names of one hundred subscribers are received; and continued, either monthly or every alternate month, as may be found most generally convenient and economical. The estimated cost to subscribers will not exceed thirty rupees, per volume of one hundred plates; one half of which is the cost of colouring alone, the remainder being charged for the letter press (which will be copious), lithography, paper, drawing, &c, and at this price it is nearly fifty per cent, under the English price of similar works.

This low price is effected by charging little more than the actual cost; it forming no part of my plan to reap personal profit from a work, the conducting of which I look upon as part of my present official duties. But, as it cannot expected that I should be loser