2 volumes, 8vo (218 x 137 mm). 2 folding maps (one reinforced along folds), 12 chromolithographic plates (some very light scattered toning). 20th century half morocco, top edge gilt, others uncut, stamp-signed "Cross, Binder to the King" (rubbing). Provenance: Armorial bookplate on front free endpaper and inner front board of each volume.

FIRST EDITION by the eminent botanist, explorer and mountaineer who had earlier been with Ross in the Antarctic, and was a close confidant of Charles Darwin, to whom this work is dedicated. He was the first naturalist to travel into the Sikkim Himalaya, through mostly unknown territory which had not been reached by an Englishman since Turner's mission to Tibet in 1789. He made the first near complete circuit of Kangchenjunga in 1848-50, and the first to describe it. The maps were made from Hooker's own surveys and the illustrations and views are from his own drawings. Abbey Travel 502; DSB VI, 489; Neate H108 ("a classic of Himalayan travel and exploration").