THE GENERA OF SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS

First Edition: lxvi, 429 pages, half green morocco with light green cloth sides, neat repair at the top corner of the title page, a very good copy.

'His official duties prevented him from travelling (Harvey was appointed Colonial Treasurer at the Cape in 1836), but his knowledge of the flora was supplemented by collections made by others who had travelled extensively, such as James Bowie, at that time curator of Von Ludwig's garden, K.W.L. Pappe and Carl Zeyher. This information assisted him in the compilation of 'The Genera of South African Plants'. This is the first substantial botanical book published in South Africa and, considering the time available to him, is of a remarkably high standard. The purpose of 'the 'Genera' was to provide an introduction to the flora of the country and to pave the way for a Flora Capensis.' Gunn & Codd, Botanical Exploration, page 180.