Archives of Natural History (1988) 15 (1): 45-60
W. J. Burchell and the botany of St Helena
By Q. C. B. CRONK
SUMMARY
The unpublished writings of W. J. Burchell concerning the natural history of St Helena (9 MSS at Kew, Oxford and Johannesburg) have been examined as sources for historical ecology. Even though the native vegetation of St Helena had been substantially altered by the time of Burchell’s visit (1805-1810), the documents are useful in interpreting subsequent extinction and plant introduction, as well as for understanding the former vegetation. Floristically the most important document is the "Flora Insulae Sanctae Helenae" and a full transcript is provided here.
INTRODUCTION
William John Burchell D.C.L., F.L.S. (1782-1863) was the son of Matthew Burchell, a Fulham nurseryman. Sometime after leaving school he apparently worked at Kew Gardens (Davies, 1980), and thus botany was his principal interest when he left England after an unhappy love affair (Poulton, 1907) to spend the years 1805-10 in St Helena. He was the first botanist to stop for long in St Helena and made the first extensive botanical collections. These are of unequalled importance for the interpret- ation of the botany of St Helena. For this reason I have gathered together here all the more important material 1-9 relating to his stay.
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