Himalayan Journals, vol 1

Himalayan Journals, vol 1

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Title: Himalayan Journals, V1
Author: J. D. Hooker
Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6476] [Yes, we are more than
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HIMALAYAN JOURNALS or NOTES OF A NATURALIST
IN BENGAL, THE SIKKIM AND NEPAL HIMALAYAS, THE
KHASIA MOUNTAINS, etc.
JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER, M.D., R.N., F.R.S.
Volume I
First published 1854
To CHARLES DARWIN, F.R.S., etc. These volumes are dedicated, by
his affectionate friend, J.D. HOOKER Kew, Jan. 12th, 1854
-------------------------
PREFACE
HAVING accompanied Sir James Boss on his voyage of discovery to
the Antarctic regions, where botany was my chief pursuit, on my return
I earnestly desired to add to my acquaintance with the natural history of
the temperate zones, more knowledge of that of the tropics than I bad
hitherto had the opportunity of acquiring. My choice lay between India
and the Andes, and I decided upon the former, being principally
influenced by Dr. Falconer, who promised me every assistance which
his position as Superintendent of the H.E.I.C. Botanic Garden at
Calcutta, would enable hum to give. He also drew my attention to the
fact that we were ignorant even of the geography of the central and
eastern parts of these mountains, while all to the north was involved in
a mystery equally attractive to the traveller and the naturalist.
On hearing of the kind interest taken by Baron Humboldt in my
proposed travels, and at the request of my father (Sir William Hooker),
the Earl of Carlisle (then Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests)
undertook to represent to Her Majesty's Government the expediency of
securing my collections for the Royal Gardens at Kew; and owing to
the generous exertions of that nobleman, and of the late Earl of
Auckland (then First Lord of the Admiralty), my journey assumed the

character of a Government mission, £400 per annum being granted by
the Treasury for two years.
I did not contemplate proceeding beyond the Himalaya and Tibet, when
Lord Auckland desired that I should afterwards visit Borneo, for the
purpose of reporting on the capabilities of Labuan, with reference to the
cultivation of cotton, tobacco, sugar, indigo, spices, guttapercha, etc.
To this end a commission in the navy (to which service I was already
attached) was given me, such instructions were drawn up as might
facilitate my movements in the East, and a suitable sum of money was
placed at my disposal.
Soon after leaving England, my plans became, from various causes,
altered. The Earl of Auckland* [It is with a melancholy satisfaction that
I here record the intentions of that enlightened nobleman. The idea of
turning to public account what was intended as a scientific voyage,
occurred to his lordship when considering my application for official
leave to proceed to India; and from the hour of my accepting the
Borneo commission with which he honoured me, he displayed the most
active zeal in promoting its fulfilment. He communicated to me his
views as to the direction in which I should pursue my researches,
furnished me with official and other information, and provided me with
introductions of the most essential use.] was dead; the interest in
Borneo had in a great measure subsided; H.M.S. "Maeander," to which
I had been attached for service in Labuan, had left the Archipelago;
reports of the unhealthy nature of the coast had excited alarm; and the
results of my researches in the Himalaya had proved of more interest
and advantage than had been anticipated. It was hence thought
expedient to cancel the Borneo appointment, and to prolong my
services for a third year in India; for which purpose a grant of £300
(originally intended for defraying the expense