NO TEAVEL BOOK IN PEOSPECT 255 



In the meantime Hooker was busy in other directions. 

 ' If it were not for the Greenock-like climate/ he writes on 

 April 28, ' this would be a very fine place, and I enjoy it much, 

 for the vegetation is truly superb.' His new occupations were 

 at first hindered by the necessity of completing the piece of 

 unfinished work for his father, which he had brought with him 

 from England. 



This was the Niger Flora, of which he sent home the first 

 part on May 18, the remainder on July 19. This was the only 

 piece of work outstanding in regard to which he felt a personal 

 claim ; the rest could fairly be completed after his return, 

 and so, when the way seemed clear for his journey to the 

 Himalayan snows, he writes (September 12) with perfect 

 unconcern : 



I saw that Lindley gave me a touch for travelling on my 

 own pleasure while my Flora Antarctica is unfinished ; to 

 which I can say Pooh ! 



Indeed, to the end of his stay in India; he had no 

 thought of writing a book of travels or working out his non- 

 botanical observations. This he repeats to Wallich in 1850 

 as he had written to his father in February 1849, when 

 sending him the Ehododendron notes and specimens he had 

 brought back from the Sikkim-Nepal expedition. The future 

 decided otherwise. 



Of them and of all my plants; MSS., and drawings, I 

 beg you to make whatever use you think proper. The 

 Flora Antarctica nearly broke my back ; and except the 

 Floras of New Zealand and Van Diemen's Land, I do not 

 contemplate any other such great work. My present 

 notion is to publish in the form of Icones, confining any 

 large and costly illustrations to a few Natural Orders or 

 Genera. 1 



In May, however, he took such opportunities as offered 

 during the early part of the rains for botanical excursions 

 near Darjilirig. Without awaiting formal leave, he made 



1 For the success of the Rhododendron book, especially in India, see p. 326. 



