vi
A number of Botanical terms have also been introduced, which will prove of use,
and for which the Author is in a great measure indebted to Ainslie's Materia Indica and
one or two other works. He desires to express his obligations to Dr. Wilson, whose San-
scrit Dictionary he has found of special assistance in the composition of this work. Dr.
Rottler's Tamul and English Dictionary has also been consulted, with Campbell's Teloo-
goo and English Dictionary.
To most of the words derived from the Sanscrit, not in common use, Malayalim ren-
derings are given in addition to the English. This plan was not adopted in the com-
mencement, and the first thirty-two pages are printed without them. It was then consi-
dered that the work would be rendered much more valuable by the introduction of those
renderings. There are also meanings of common acceptation given to words of Sanscrit
origin in general use. To these meanings Malayalim terms have also been added. No
pains have been spared to render the work as comprehensive and useful as possible.
The genitive case has generally been given in addition to the nominative, with the
exception of a few instances, in which it has been inadvertently omitted. The perfect
tense and infinitive mood of verbs, have been given as well as the present tense. This
may prove of considerable advantage to the early student.
The object of the Author in the publication of this work has been to render the means
of acquiring a knowledge of the Malayalim language more easy to Europeans and others
than it has hitherto been, and he trusts it will be found that he has, to a great extent at least,
succeeded. There still remains another desideratum to which the attention of the Author
has been drawn, viz. an English and Malayalim Dictionary to accompany the present work.
He has prepared sufficient materials to commence printing such a work, and should his
life be spared, he hopes to publish it, provided he meet with sufficient encouragement to
do so. A small vocabulary too is much required.
The Author desires to record his very grateful acknowledgements to General Cullen,
Resident of Travancore and Cochin for the deep and special interest he has taken in the
work, for so warmly patronizing and recommending it to the Government of Fort St.
George, and for so cheerfully aiding him in carrying it through the press and procuring
subscribers to it.
THE AUTHOR.
COTTAYAM:
July 1846.
