442 Recent Literature. , [July, 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
A JOURNAL OF A Tour IN MAROCCO AND THE GREAT ATLAŞ.Ż— 
Naturalists, and especially botanists, cannot soon forget the 
delight with which they perused the volumes of the Himalaya 
Journals. Indeed there is a grace of style, a closeness of obser- 
vation and an accuracy of statement in Sir Joseph Hooker's 
writings which claim the attention and interest even of the general 
re is account of his journey to Marocco, in 1871, has 
been anticipated with delight by all readers of his former travels, 
nor will they be disappointed when they take up the volume 
before us. 
Owing to Sir Joseph Hooker’s pressing engagements as Direc- 
tor of Kew Gardens and President of the Royal Society, there 
has been unavoidable delay in the publication of the journal; 
indeed, at his own request, Mr. Jolin Ball, who accompanied him — 
in the journey, completed the work after the first two chapters. 
No one, however, will regret this, for Mr. Ball is certainly a good 
writer and close observer, not hesitating to relieve his narrative 
now and then by humcrous comments on men and things. Itis 
stated by the authors that owing to the peculiar condition of 
Marocco (which it will be observed they spell with an a) no great 
change has probably occurred in that country since their visit, 
and hence the delay in publication is of less consequence than 
would usually be the case. i: 
“ The narrative now published is mainly founded on the jour- 
nals kept by Sir J. Hooker and Mr. Ball, supplemented in some 
particulars by that of their fellow traveler, Mr. G. Maw.” 
he desire of the distinguished party was to penetrate the 
Atlas range and to determine some vexed points of geography 
while collecting the plants of this almost unknown region. 
Although provided with the order of the Sultan to allow them 
all possible privileges, they were constantly thwarted in their 
desires by the fanaticism and suspicions of local governors and 
petty chiefs. The Sultan’s letter, it is true, did not appear to give 
very explicit directions, and to the mind of the reader, at least, 
leaves that sovereign open to the suspicion of chicanery: “On 
receiving this, you will send the English hakeem and his com- 
panions to the care of my slave, El Graoni, to whom I have sent 
orders what he is to do.” Judging from after developments, the 
slave, who was a powerful chief, read freely between the lines. 
The party succeeded, however, on one occasion, in escaping from 
the surveillance of the guides and actually reaching the much- 
coveted snow. We quote the graphic account of this ascent: 
“ Much to our satisfaction the sheik now withdrew, committing 
us to the charge of an active but unarmed young Shelluh, with a : 
1 Journal of a Tour in Marocco and the Great Atlas. By Sir J. D. HOOKER and, 
JoHN Batt. London, Macmillan & Co., 1878. $6.50. 
