n6 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW 
Flora of 
British 
India. 
African 
Floras. 
first assistant in the Herbarium, prepared the “ Flora of Mauritius 
and the Seychelles ” (1877). 
The most laborious and most monumental of these undertakings 
is the “ Flora of British India,” which science owes to Sir Joseph 
Hooker. The first part was issued in 1872, the last in 
1897. This magnificent work deals with no fewer than 
14,000 species, and although Sir Joseph had in their elabor- 
ation considerable assistance from other botanists, the 
greater part is exclusively his own work ; and what was done by others 
had his revision. Although Sir Joseph Hooker was over eighty years 
of age when the “ Flora of British India ” was finished, he immediately 
set about the completion of the “ Flora of Ceylon,” which had been 
commenced by Dr. Trimen but was interrupted by his death. It 
was completed in 1900. 
At the present time two large and important “ Floras ” are 
being prepared at Kew : the “ Flora of Tropical Africa ” and 
Flora Capensis, both under the editorship of Sir William 
Thiselton-Dyer. The former was commenced by Pro- 
fessor Oliver, then keeper of the Herbarium, about 1867, 
but through various circumstances it fell into abeyance after 
three volumes had been published. The work was taken up 
again in 1892, and since 1897 has proceeded steadily. The Flora 
Capensis, too, has undergone certain vicissitudes. It deals with 
African plants found south of the tropic of Capricorn, and was com- 
menced by Drs. Harvey and Sonder about 1861. Neither of these 
botanists was attached to Kew, and the death of Harvey in 1866 
caused a cessation of the work. It was resumed at Kew in 1896, 
and parts have appeared at intervals. 
Thus it will be seen that the vegetation of the greater portion of 
the British Empire has been, or is by way of being, classified and 
described in this noble series of volumes. How great a work it is, 
how involved and abstruse many of the problems encountered are, 
only those actually engaged in it may know. But the end in view — 
which is that anyone acquainted with the English language may, 
by these books, identify any plant found wild on British soil — is being 
largely attained. It can never, of course, be described as absolutely 
accomplished so long as plants may be discovered. 
Very few periodicals, and possibly not a single illustrated one, 
can boast of an existence as long as that of the “ Botanical Magazine.” 
