WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, LL.D., F.R.A. & L. S., &c. &c.

RLGIUS PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.

TO THE

HONOURABLE THE COURT OF DIRECTORS

OF THE

EAST INDIA COMPANY,

AS A TESTIMONY OF THE IMPORTANT SERVICES RENDERED TO

SCIENCE

IN THEIR PRINCELY PATRONAGE OF

BOTANY,

BY WHICH THE PLANTS OF THE VAST POSSESSIONS UNDER

THEIR SWAY,

ESPECIALLY TRE MORE INTERESTING AND USEFUL KINDS,

HAVE BEEN MADE KNOWN AND MUNIFICENTLY DISTRIBUTED

THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CIVILIZED WORLD,

THE PRESENT WORK IS DEDICATED,

WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST ADMIRATION AND ESTEEM,

BY THEIR OBEDIENT AND VERY HUMBLE SERVANT,

W. J. HOOKER, LL. D.

REGIUS PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.