یسل نے — 
v. 
well as of the sections, under which they had been grouped by Botanists who had particularly 
studied and sub-divided the order. Proceeding on this plan I have been led to the construction of 
more new genera than I might perhaps have deemed prudent, had I not thus in the first instance 
made myself well acquainted with the labours of my predecessors, and I have certainly been pre- 
vented falling into many errors, by being thereby enabled to refer transition forms to already defined 
genera which I at first thought entitled to form the types of new ones. Having been thus careful, 
1 trust those genera I have ventured to form, will generally be found to rest on a firm basis, 
On the subject of nomenclature I have expressed my views so fully under Gloriosa, that little 
now remains for me to add, and even that little, would have been withheld but for a notice I acei- 
dentally stumbled upon, while turning over the pages of Dr. Walpers' Annals where, in vol. 2, page 
759, I find the following note, * Mephitidia bracteata, Wight in McClelland’s Calcutta Journal of 
Natural History, vi. 501 (cum omnibus sequentibus speciebus sub Lasiantho!!)' To this change 
of name I offer no objection, nor would I have noticed it except for the derisive addition of a 
double point of admiration. But as it now stands I do most decidedly object, not being in- 
formed on what grounds Dr. Walpers assumes the right or deems himself justified, in taking such 
liberties with my opinions. My reasons for preferring Jack's prior name are fully and fairly stated 
in the article quoted: they may be right or they may be wrong, but be that as it may, they are the 
result of careful consideration, and, moreover, further consideration still inclines me to adhere to 
them. What may be my qualifications for arriving at a correct judgment on any such disputed 
point I know not, but I hope they will not be found inferior to those of the learned compiler of that 
very useful I had almost said indispensable work, for such in truth it is to the Colonial Botanist. 
Had he merely differed in opinion, simply retaining DeCandolle's later for Jack's earlier name, Í 
should not have noticed the change. It is not to that I object; he has a right to hold his opinions, as 
much as I have, but his sneering addition I consider most improper. 
Having said so much on the general execution of this work, not attempting to conceal its many 
defects, I may now be permitted briefly to advert to another subject: the support, namely, it has 
received, as indicated by the pecuniary returns. This has not on the whole been very encouraging. 
On this matter I believe I am correct in stating that, exclusive of the liberal Government sub- 
seription for fifty copies, the sales have never, from the outset, quite covered the cost of the paper, 
on which the work is printed, and that the Government subscription has not quite covered the cost 
of printing and lithography. Such being the case it must have been, to me, a losing concern from 
the commencement, and as I have had to bear the whole charge, must, but for the Government sub- 
scription, have ceased with the completion of the first volume. Such being the case it is to be 
hoped the votaries of botanical seience who have occasion to consult the work will not fail to 
acknowledge their obligations to those munificent patrons of Natural Science, the Honorable 
East India Company, for whatever advantage they may derive from it, as without their aid I should 
never have had occasion to write this preface to the 6th volume. For my own part, the satis- 
faction enjoyed, while contemplating its progress and witnessing the benefits it was in course of 
conferring, by at the same time diffusing a taste for Botanical Science and fixing the fluctuating - 
nomenclature of many species of Iodian plants, has always been deemed sufficient compensation 
for both the labour“ and cost. 
The Indian Flora can now, I believe, boast of being more fully illustrated than that of any 
other country under British sway, Great Britain alone excepted. We have now Roxburgh's Coro- 
mandel Plants, Wallich's Plantæ Asiaticæ Rariores, and Tentamen's Flora Nepalensis; Royle's Illus- 
trations, my own Illustrations, and this work, furnishing together representations of upwards of 
3000 species, exclusive of those published in detached periodicals and Hooker’s Icones, which last 
