The contented botanist. Letters of W.H. Harvey about Australia and the Pacific. 1988. illustr. 9 maps. XVI,413 p. gr8vo Cloth.

A preface explains the role of Sophie Ducker and the "mechanics" ofputting together this collection of letters. The introduction is a briefbiography of the Irish algologist W.H.Harvey (1811-1866). The bulk ofthe text is devoted to Harvey's letters (ca. 78%). It is supported byfive appendices: I. Biographical notes, II. Plants mentioned in theletters, III. Subscription prospectus of specimens of Australian Algae(fascimile), IV. Habitat localities of Harvey's Australian Algae, and V.Provenance of the letters. The appendices together with annotations andan extensive bibliography demonstrate the depth of research undertakenby Sophie Tucker.The letters span 1852-1864 but the journey to Australiabegan in 1853 and ended in 1856. The charm of the letters exposes agentle, tenacious, gracious man. However, they expose a great deal more,botanists of the time, Australia of the time, field work of the time andso on.