X 
PREFACE. 
cently imparted fresh interest, and to which the 
attention of Christian philanthropists is now turned. 
The plants which I had the pleasure of gathering 
during our expedition consisted of above seven hun- 
dred species, fully eighty of which were quite new 
to science. The most useful are noticed in this vol- 
ume ; and the whole collection has been presented to 
the noble Herbarium of Kew Gardens. 
The title chosen for my narrative was suggested by 
a circumstance which I may perhaps be pardoned for 
mentioning, as it forms one of many kind favours 
received from Sir Eoderick I. Murchison, K.C.B., 
the able and zealous President of the Eoyal Geo- 
graphical Society. Last season Sir Eoderick did me 
the honour to introduce me to Her Majesty's first 
Minister, Viscount Palmerston, and on that occasion 
his Lordship good-humouredly remarked, " You have 
had a long walk, Captain Grant ! " The saying was 
one well fitted to be remembered and to be told 
again ; and my friendly publishers and others recom- 
mended that it should form the leading title of my 
book. 
Dingwall, Koss-shire, 
December 1, 1864. 
