Roxburgh, William (1751-1815), botanist

Abbreviated transcript of Roxburgh's 'Flora Indica', a dictionary of Indian plants and shrubs. Arranged in 23 classes: Monandria to Polygamia. With index by a later hand. Volume 1 of 'Flora Indica' as published at Serampore in 1820. It was edited by William Carey (1761-1834) and contained entries of additional plants by Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854). There was a second edition of this Volume 1 in 1824 with more of Wallich's notes, but no further volumes were published until 1832. At that date Carey published the complete work in 3 volumes, but omitting the Wallich notes. This manuscript seems to be a shortened version of the work, with some of Wallich's notes, distinguished by the addition of the letter W. But the descriptions are here somewhat differently set out, and the native names of plants are omitted.

c.1820

2 volumes Quarto volumes with original calf binding, slightly defective.

Purchased at Sotheby's 1923, Lot 639

William Roxburgh was born 1751 and died 1815. His `Flora Indica' or description of Indian plants was his most important work.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).