254 NOTICES OF BOOKS, 



The principal object of this work is, by the publication of a series o£ 

 botanical drawings, executed in the very highest style of art, to intro- 

 duce to the notice of the public a selection of Sikkim-Himalayan plants, 

 which, from their beauty, novelty, and interest, are eminently worthy 

 of cultivation in England ; and, at the same time, to record the great 

 services rendered to Himalayan botany by the late J. F, Cathcart, Esq., 

 Judge in the Bengal Civil Service. 



Attracted by the publication of the * Sikkim Ehododendrons,* Mr. 

 Cathcart visited Dorjiling, in the Himalaya, in 1849-50, with the view 

 of farthering botanical science by employing artists, at his own expense, 

 in delineating the magnificent plants of those mountains. During his 

 residence there several artists were kept constantly at work under Mr. 

 Cathcart's and Dr. Hooker's superintendence, and coloured drawings 

 of nearly a thousand plants were made. It was Mr. Cathcart's inten- 

 tion, on his return to England, to have published (also at his own ex- 

 pense), in conjunction with Dr. Hooker, a very large selection of these, 

 in the form of the * Sikkim Ehododendrons/ but his lamented death (at 

 Lausanne, in 1851), when on his homeward journey, frustrated this 

 munificent intention. 



The invaluable collection of coloured drawings has been presented to 

 the Museum of the Royal Gardens of Kew by Mr. Cathcart's sister ; 

 and it is from a selection of these drawings that Dr. Hooker is prepa- 

 ring a botanical work, as a suitable tribute to the memory and love of 

 science of his late friend. 



In undertaking its publication. Dr. Hooker has availed himself of 

 Mr. Pitch's talents in the execution of the plates in lithography, and of 

 his own drawings, also made in the country ; and has further supplied 

 the botanical analyses and descriptive matter. 



From the great expense attending publications of this description. 

 Dr. Hooker (at whose risk it is undertaken) is obliged to regulate the 

 number of copies struck off, by that of subscribers ; and as it is obvi- 

 ously impossible to keep the lithographic stones, he earnestly desires 

 that persons who may wish to possess the work, will oblige him by 

 sending their names at their earliest convenience. 



