TO 



SIR JOHN KIRK, G.C.M.G., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c., &c. 



LATE H.M. AGENT AND CONSUL-GENERAL AT ZANZIBAR. 



Mi dear Kirk, 



For many years past the volumes of the Botanical 

 Magazine have annually been enriched by figures of new, 

 rare, and interesting" plants, introduced by you from Zanzibar 

 into the Royal Gardens of Kew. 



These represent, and but feebly, a mere fraction of the great 

 services which you have rendered, — to Science by extending 

 our knowledge of the Natural History (especially the Botany) 

 and the Geography of Eastern Tropical Africa, and to mankind 

 by the development of new industries (such as the Indiarubber 

 trade) in that country. 



That these services should have been performed under the 

 pressure of arduous political duties, and in a trying climate, 

 has always appeared surprising to me ; and I hope that you 

 will accept the dedication of the volume of the Botanical 

 Magazine which contains the Indiarubber plant (sent by 

 yourself), as a token of the value I attach to your contribu- 

 tions, and of my admiration of your zeal and enlightenment 

 as a public officer. 



Believe me, 



Sincerely yours, 



JOS. D. HOOKER. 



The Camp, Sunningdale, 



December IsL 1887. 



