| I. Historical. In the first half of the previous century the Netherlands government took a great interest in stimulating the scientific exploration of the Netherlands East Indies. In 1820 a "Natuurkundige Commissie voor Nederlandsch-Indië" (Natural History Commission for the Netherlands Indies; hereafter indicated as "Indies Commission") was installed and given the task to travel in the Dutch possessions in the East Indies with the object to extend the scientific knowledge of the natural productions of that region. The Indies Commission, which existed from 29 April 1820 to 17 April 1850, consisted of the following scientists (the dates behind the names indicate the time spent in the Indies as member of the Commission, the end of the stay marked with a † if... |
