A statement of facts relative to the establishment and progress of the Elgin Botanic Garden, and the subsequent disposal of the same to the State of New-York / [David Hosack].

  • Hosack, David, 1769-1835.
Date:
1811
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A statement of facts relative to the establishment and progress of the Elgin Botanic Garden, and the subsequent disposal of the same to the State of New-York / [David Hosack]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    very imperfect and unsatisfactory, when compared with the ex¬ amination of living plants, growing in their proper soils, with the advantages of culture ; that a study, in itself both highly useful and agreeable, was necessarily rendered uninviting from the manner in which its principles were illustrated, and that a bota¬ nical establishment was indispensably necessary in order to teach this branch of medical science with complete effect. Influenced by these considerations, and persuaded of the ad¬ vantages to he derived from the institution of a botanic garden, which could be made the repository of the native vegetable pro¬ duction of the country, and be calculated to naturalize such foreign plants as are distinguished by their utility either in me¬ dicine, agriculture, or the arts, as well as for the purpose of affording the medical student an opportunity of practical instruc¬ tion in this science, I, immediately after my appointment as professor in the college, endeavoured to accomplish its esta¬ blishment. I was also strengthened in my design by the advice of those of mv friends to whom I made known my wishes, and for whose opinions on this subject, I could not but entertain the highest respect. Sensible, however, that an undertaking of this na¬ ture could with difficulty be effected by an individual, and having already expended considerable sums in the purchase of an extensive collection of books, numerous coloured engravings, and a valuable herbarium, I made application to the board of trustees oi Columbia College, soliciting their assistance in the undertaking which I contemplated. The following are copies of the memorial, which was presented in November, 1797, and of the report of the committee, appointed by the board of trustees, to consider the subject. To the President and Members of the Board of Trustees of Columbia College The establishment of a Professorship of Botany in Columbia College was justly considered as an evidence of your regard to the general interests of science. As completing your plan of medical education, it has given reputa¬ tion to the college both in Europe and America, and has excited expectations which unfortunately hitherto have in no sort been fulfilled. Since I have had the honour of an appointment to this Professorship, it has been to me a source of great regret that the want of a Botanical Garden, and an extensive Botanical Library, have prevented that advancement in the inte¬ rests of the institution which might reasonably have been expected. My mind has been much exercised in devising some means of removing these difficulties, but hitherto without success. To this end, I have purchased for the use of my pupils such of the most esteemed authors as are most essential in teaching the principles of Botany ; and at a considerable expense I have been enabled to procure a large and very extensive collection of coloured engravings ; but the difficulty of teaching any branch of natural philosophy, and of rendering it interesting to the pupil, without a view and