Viii r R E F A C E. 



him the means of improving his knowledge. To those whose occtt- 

 pations confine them to town, the pleasures of a ride or a walk wiU 

 be much enhanced by some acquaintaaee with the surrounding ob- 

 jects: besides the general landscape, their minds would be amused 

 by the indescribable beauties of nature in h(T minutest recesses, and 

 by studying how to rea|) the fruits of the wonderful vegetable trea- 

 sures which the bounteous hand of the Almighty has so abundantly 

 scattered around. Should so laudable a spirit of enquiry be aroused, 

 the compiler will icjoice in having undertaken the humble office of 

 pioneer to Jamaica botany, and hope to see, at no distant period, a 

 superstructure ra'sed, on the materials he has selected, that will be a 

 lasting memorial ol the good taste and discrimination ol this coinmu- 

 nity. 



HOKTUS 



