PREFACE. 



An endeavour to preserve sonic memorial of the brilliant and fugitive beauties, 

 of a |mrtieularly splendid ami elegant ItiIk* of plants, Hrst gave rise to tin* 

 work; and having cnjovcd considerable* perhaps unusual, advantages, in the verv 

 great lihcralitv with winch s|hn imca* were supplied* both from public, and private 

 collections, it became a favorite recreation, in describe them as simply ami naturally 

 OH |Hi»ihh\ with both pen ami pencil. Flattered by the opinion of her friends, 

 and encouraged by competent judge* of the fidelity of the Portraits, Mrs. Kdward 

 Burv hus yielded) to their wishes, and ventured to lav them before the public. 

 To render them more worthy, she has availed herself of the help and instructions 

 of I be Messrs, Shepherd. Curators of the Liverpool Botanic Imrden, in examining 

 the Plants themselves with reference to the l*est Authorities within her reach; 

 these she has freely quoted from* or cited its synouynics whenever their application 



appeared to Iter plain and distinct; when* doubt* or intricacy seem to exist* she 

 leave* it for wiser heads to unravel. Having no pretensions whatever* either to 



scientific knowledge, or extensive research* any attempt at lengthened technical 

 descriptions, is purposely avoided; hut for this defect some congelation may he 

 found in Sir J, li Smiths opiuou on tins subject, that " Truth does not require 

 hard words," Following therefore the advice of that enlightened, and highly dis- 

 tinguished Benefactor of Natural Science* she has uicrelv "aimed at writing common 

 sense in plain English." and relies on the indulgence and courtesy of those more 

 able and learned promoters, or generous admirers of botanical pursuits, who may be 

 induced to patronize the feeble attempts, of an Amateur. 



Far liettcr thanlis than she well knows how to express, are due to many Iriends 

 (some atas! to whose cherished ntetnortf only, the tribute euu now be paid, 

 for the great assistance and support which has been conferred during the progress 

 of the undertaking, particularly to Itichard Harrison, Iwp; to Mr, Shepherd, and 

 Mr. Henry Shepherd; also for the kind approbation of the President of the Horti- 

 cultural Society, T. Knight. Eso;. ; and it is a proud distinction to be permitted to 

 record, the liberal and valued encouragement and information, so kindly given at 

 its commencement, by that bright example in the [>aths of Literature and Science, 

 the late William RoscOCj Ksip The Work has caused many hours of delightful 

 occupation, and the labours of the |H?ncil have been skilfully seconded by those of 

 the Kngraver. Indulgence is again entreated for all errors and imperfections, 

 art she has been able only to glean a few cars, from a harvest so rich, « arrayed 

 in all the glory' 1 of rainbow hues. 



