374 BOTANY : ITS POSITION AND PEOSPECTS 



the result of my personal experience in generalising on these 

 subjects and in handling them so long as I think myself 

 and am assured by my fellow Botanists that the attempt 

 on my part is called for. These, however, are not matters 

 for a week or a month ; but shape a course towards them 

 and you will find a wonderful mental relief follow, when 

 distracted with * choses a faire.' 



Thus amid the fluctuations and discouragements of the 

 outlook for pure Botany, Hooker found that to take stock 

 of his ideas and marshal them in the Introductory Essays to 

 the Flora of New Zealand and the Flora Indica was a re- 

 invigorating process. The synthesis meant new force, new 

 interest. To Bentham, who was in Paris for the Exhibition, 

 he writes in July 1855 : 



The Flora Indica Introd. Essay is going ahead. Henfrey 

 is shot and proposes altering his whole system of Botanical 

 instruction at King's College ! my chers confreres the 

 geologists shrug their shoulders and do not half like it, and 

 H. Watson is going to review it in the Phytologist. 



I shall be amused to hear what they say of the Introd. 

 Essay in Paris, mind you tell me. I have frightened them 

 here out of their wits, and some of them thank me for the 

 presentation copy with a frigidity that delights me. Hither- 

 to Botany has been dull work to me, little pay ; no quarrels ; 

 an utter disbelief in the stability of my own genera and 

 species ; no startling discoveries ; no grand principles 

 evolved, and so I have a sort of wicked satisfaction in seeing 

 the fuse burn that is I hope to spring a mine under the feet of 

 my chers confreres, and though I expect a precious kick from 

 the recoil and to get my face blackened too, I cannot help 

 finding my little pleasure in the meanwhile. 



Before long, however, a better era for Botany seemed at 

 hand ; a more cheerful strain is apparent in a note to Henslow 

 (January 6, 1856) apropos of his son George's career : 



Keep him to Botany if you can, but not to the exclusion 

 of other scientific pursuits, drawing, &c. I am well sure 

 that there will be openings and good ones for accomplished 

 Botanists ere long, and I cannot fancy a more agreeable, 



