This posting would be equally at home on the Gurkhas`s or Holocaust post`s, (a comment on there regarding joining together). This facinating book above mention`s Joseph Hooker, (Darwin`s best freind), who went to India in 1850/51 on a plant collecting expedition. Whilst near the border of Tibet, a certain rajah, who was hired by the Chinese to keep the English out of the area, had 100 men to capture Joseph Hooker. Hooker on the other hand, had his own private army with him of 56 Gurkhas`s. The rajah`s 100 men were won over, and joined the 56 Gurkhas`s as plant collector`s for Hooker. All now in Kew gardens. Highly recommended book, which I`m only halfway through and there`s a copy down the library.
