354 



large impression, demonstrated that he was not deceived in his expecta- 

 tion of its utility. Hence, he has been led to extend the same, or a 

 very similai* plan, to the Flora of the whole British Empire. This work 

 is now in a considerable state of forwardness. The author's own ex- 

 perience cannot but have suggested many useful alterations and amend- 

 ments on the method pursued in the Flora Scotica. Thus, for example, 

 by excluding all needless synonymy, and arranging the subject-matter in 

 as compact a form as possible, without rendering it obscure to the reader, 

 he is enabled not only to embrace the whole of the British Phcenogamous 

 Plants and Ferns, in one moderately-sized duodecimo volume, but to give 

 some interesting details, relative to the properties and uses of plants. 

 The language adopted is the English, and in the general employment of 

 terms, he has endeavoured to adhere as closely as possible to those of Sir 

 J. E. Smith ; for they may well serve as models, both in regard to the 

 accuracy and purity of expression. The derivation of every genei-ic 

 appellation is stated, with the Natural Order to ^^'hich it belongs ; all the 

 names, both generic and specific, are accented ; for, in no work, surely, 

 can these modern improvements be so serviceable, as in one mainly in- 

 tended to aid the pi'ogress of beginners; with which view, also, the mean- 

 ing of the terms applied to the classes and orders, are explained — Dr. 

 Hooker being fully persuaded that every thing tending to simplify the 

 technicahties of science, assists in rendering it attractive, and increasing 

 the number of its votaries. 



The arrangement adopted is that of Linnaeus ; but since a knowledge 

 of the Natural System ought to be the great end and aim of those who 

 have leisure to devote to this subject, and eminently to such as are 

 destined for the practice of Medicine, there will be added, at the conclu- 

 sion of the work, a short sketch of the Jussieuan Method; under each 

 respective order of which the most important genera will be mentioned, 

 with some notice of their peculiar properties and qualities. 



The work will appear very early in the ensuing spring, (1830), and is 

 published by Messrs. Longman & Rees. The CryptogamitB, exclusive of 

 the Ferns, are to form a separate volume, which will constitute the fifth 

 of Smith's English Flora, or the second of the British Flora. 



