130 Dr. S jut n on the Abelkca cretica of Pona. 



of Ulmus? Abelicea, hoping to excite others, whenever they may 

 have an opportunity, to examine its living fructification, as well 

 as that of the Ulmus nemoralh. By this means their genus, 

 which is certainly one and the same, though perhaps different 

 from Ulmus, but which I am obliged to leave *in doubt, will be 

 ascertained. It is thus that botanists should co-operate to bring 

 their " lovely science" to perfection. Linnaeus and other great 

 masters have necessarily left many things imperfect and in 

 doubt, particularly with regard to genera. These I have uni- 

 formly lent my aid, whatever it may be, to elucidate from time 

 to time, particularly such as concern the Flora of Britain, being, 

 if I mistake not, the first writer among us who undertook to 

 examine them, and who did not implicitly copy Linnaeus as a 

 matter of course. I am now pursuing the same plan in the 

 Greek Flora. Much must be left for following observers, and I 

 have always preferred leaving things as they are, to any hasty or 

 rash alteration. Several have taken up the same subject; none 

 with more zeal than Mr. Salisbury, and I trust he will pursue it 

 so as to render service to the science. The world is now in ex- 

 pectation of a learned essay on this subject from his pen. 



v , . , „ J» E. Smith. 



Norwich, March 15., 1806, 



VI. 4,1 



