TO 



HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLL, K,T,, F.R.S., 



SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA, 



PRESIDENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY..OP LONDON ; 



&c. &c. &c. 



MY LORD DUKE, 



The fact of this first part of the " Flora of British 

 India" appearing during your Grace's tenure of office, and under your 

 instructions, affords me the welcome opportunity of following- a time- 

 honoured custom in dedicating that work to you. And I congratulate 

 myself on being so circumstanced, since I am thus enabled to express 

 my respect for your high scientific attainments and for those original 

 observations and writings which have appeared during the long period 

 that has elapsed since I first enjoyed the privilege of friendly inter- 

 course with your Grace, which long antedates your scientific career 

 and my official connexion with you. 



I am, 

 Your Grace's faithful and obedient servant, 



Jos. B. HOOKER. 



ROYAL GARDENS, KEW, 



March 15, 1872. 



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