day by day, and Hongkong is admirably placed for becoming a sort of central recipient of the treasures of botanical discovery. I am constantly in the habit of receiving communications from various parts of the world on matters connected with Natural History and deeply regret that I have been hitherto able to do so little where so much ought to be done. But if my proposal is sanctioned I shall at all events accomplish one important object; and it will tend to the advancement of many others.
For it is not only the man of science, but the Agriculturalist, the Manufacturer, the Merchant who are frequent applicants for information bearing on their different pursuits. I need only point to the curious enquiries which have been lately put forward as to the various oleaginous substances applicable to textile fabrics of which these regions afford many specimens - oleaginous matters applicable to soap and candle making, to lighting, to manufacturing purposes, - the varnishes, the resins, the Gums, some of which like the Caoutchouc and the Gutta percha have been contributions whose value can scarcely be overestimated. The materials for paper-making - as exhibited in the great varieties of the manufactured...