196 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



valent for the Latin term nianis, which some have imagined 

 was a misprint for nexus ; but which was used in the sense of 

 Cicero, and intended to express a tendency to assume some 

 particular form of structure. If any one should inquire why 

 no synonyms have been quoted to these Alliances, concern- 

 ing which so many Botanists have lately occupied themselves, 

 the Author's answer is, that they have been much too little 

 agreed upon, except in a few very especial cases, and that an 

 examination of their history, would involve an inquiry which 

 must extend back to the Anthemides of Csesalpinus, and 

 which belongs to the History of Systematical Botany rather 

 than to its actual condition. In pointing out the affi- 

 nities of plants the opinions of the most judicious syste- 

 matists have been consulted. In addition to the short dis- 

 cussion upon this subject which always follows the paragraph 

 descriptive of a Natural Order, there is appended to the list 

 of Genera a plan of indicating, affinity now adopted for the 

 first time. It consists of printing the name of the Order 

 under discussion in capital letters, placing right and left of it, 

 in small Roman letters, the names of those Orders which are 

 supposed to be in near alliance to it, and above and below 

 it, in Italic type, the names of such as are only analogous, 

 or at least have a greater affinity. — The uses to which plants 

 are applied has been examined with great care, and princi- 

 pally re-written. This part was originally intended as a mere 

 sketch of so vast and important a subject, and, in truth, it is 

 little more even now. — In forming the lists of Genera, the 

 author is called upon to acknowledge the great assistance 

 that he has derived from those of Professor Endlicher, which 

 indeed he has ventured to take as the foundation of his 

 own, making, however, considerable additions and material 

 changes in some, and entirely re-writing others; in this 

 troublesome but necessary task he has been most essentially 

 assisted by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, who furnished the 

 list of Fungals, and by Mr. Bentham, to whom he is i n ' 

 debted for those of Leguminous and Labiate plants and Fig- 

 worts. — The illustrations are partly original, partly derived 



