The European Discovery of the Indian Flora

`Comprehensive and highly informative, The European Discovery of the Indian Flora is a welcome addition to the growing literature on science in colonial India. . . . the elegance of Desmond's writing and the sumptuous illustrations which grace this book make it highly accessible and a pleasure to read British Journal for the History of Science This handsomely produced book is a significant addition to Indian botanical literature and should find a place on the shelves of all those interrested in this fascinating subject. Particular mention must be made of the excellent treatment of Indian botanical illustration. The book itself is lavishly and imaginatively illustrated with a wide range of subjects in a variety of media, both in black and white, and in a particularly fine section of plates with beautiful colour reproduction. Annals of Botany 72: 91-95, 1993 'a vast subject, admirably covered by Ray Desmond ... fine book ... The book is excellently researched as may be expected since the author was the Deputy Keeper of the India Office Library and Records.' D.O. Wijnands, Archives of Natural History 20 (3) September 1993 'Scholarly, informative, deeply researched, authoritative - all epithets that can be rightly applied to this book ... we may hope that reference libraies will make sure that it is on their shelves for, in its field, this is an important and lasting publication.' P.S. Green, Kew Bulletin, Vol. 49 (1) 'Beautifully produced and written ... This superb effort is another jewel in the crown of Ray Desmond, Chief Librarian and Archivist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Deputy Keeper at the India Office Library and Records.' Taxon, 2/93 'Scholarly, informative, deeply researched, authoritative - all epithets that can rightly be applied to this book ... Not the least valuable part of this work is the extensive and comprehensive bibliography, while a good index enables one to use the volume as a valuable source-book. Individual chapters will become classic essays on their particular topic ... we may hope that reference libraries will make sure that it is on their shelves for, in its field, this is an important and lasting publication .' P.S. Green, Kew Bulletin, Vol. 49 (1)