Page:The Flora of British India Vol 1.djvu/9

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TO

HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLL, K.T., F.R.S.,

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA,

PRESIDENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.OF LONDON;

&c. &c. &c.

My Lord Duke,

The fact of this first part of the "Flora of British India" appearing* during your Grace's tenure of office, and under your instructions, affords me the welcome opportunity of following a time-honoured custom in dedicating that work to you. And I congratulate myself on being so circumstanced, since I am thus enabled to express my respect for your high scientific attainments and for those original observations and writings which have appeared during the long period that has elapsed since I first enjoyed the privilege of friendly intercourse with your Grace, which long antedates your scientific career and my official connexion with you.

I am.

Your Grace's faithful and obedient servant,

Jos. D. Hooker.

Royal Gardens, Kew,

March 15, 1872.