productions of Lord Auckland's group. For the future volumes of this work, I shall, in describing the species, follow where it is practicable the plan pursued by Mr. Bentham, the excellency of whose specific descriptions is acknowledged.
Most of the materials in this Part were amassed by myself, with the kind aid of Captain Sir James Ross, Lieutenant Smith, Mr. Davies, and particularly of Dr. Lyall, to whose exertions I feel constrained throughout to acknowledge my obligations. For many important additions to the plants of Fuegia and particularly of the west coast of Patagonia, I am indebted to Captain King and Mr. Darwin[1], both of whom most generously confided then-collections to me for the purpose of examination and description. Captain King's is certainly the most complete flora ever formed in those countries, whether in number of species or specimens of the flowering plants. To Dr. Lemann I owe the use of another set of the same plants, gathered by Mr Anderson, the gardener who accompanied Captain King, and to Commodore Sulivan, a collection formed by his son, Captain Sulivan, during Captain Fitzroy's voyage. With all these advantages the materials for a Fuegian flora would still be incomplete, without the plants discovered by Menzies dining Vancouver's expedition; and still more valuable is the access afforded by the kindness of Mr. Brown and Mr. Bennett, to the specimens, drawings, and manuscripts of Banks and Solander, who preceded all other botanists, except Commerson, in the investigation of Natural History in the high southern regions.
The collections of Banks and Solander, wherever formed and under whatever difficulties, are lasting proofs not only of the extraordinary zeal and ability of those distinguished individuals, but of the spirit which pervaded every member of the gallant band that Cook led in his path of discovery. Our knowledge of the Botany of New Zealand is still mainly due to the labours of the companions of Cook's first voyage, for no subsequent travellers or even residents in that country have made equally extensive collections; and that their researches in Tierra del Fuego were no less eminently successful, the constant mention of their names in this volume will abundantly prove. Valuable as the dried plants are, their utility is doubly increased by the excellent descriptions and by the beautiful coloured drawings executed on the spot, which accompany them, and were made at Sir Joseph Banks own expense. There are daily occurring instances, to the honour of the British nation be it mentioned, of individuals who undertake and conduct scientific expeditions on their own resources, and who return richly laden to reap the honours that await themselves as the projectors and commanders of their several efforts; but how few examples have we of men of birth and fortune, who like Banks will peril a life and spend a fortune as the zealous cooperator in an expedition not his own, and the main glory of which justly belongs to another. In scientific as in all other pursuits there are ever many to lead, but few who will stoop to be followers. This just tribute to the memory of Banks is peculiarly due from me, who owe so much to his labours in the Southern Ocean.
- ↑ Mr. Darwin's valuable herbarium is preserved in the Cambridge Museum, and it is to the liberality of the Rev. Professor Henslow that I am more immediately indebted for their temporary transference to my care.
