PREFACE. XIX 



loses its genuine charms, and becomes a 

 source of envy, jealousy and rivalship." 

 This is still more true if it be cultivated 

 as a mere source of emolument/ But the 

 man who loves botany for its own sake 

 knows no such feelings, nor is he depen- 

 dent for happiness on situations or scenes 

 that favour their growth. He would find 

 himself neither solitary nor desolate, had 

 he no other companion than a " moun- 

 tain daisy," that " modest crimson-tipped 

 flower," so sweetly sung by one of Na- 

 ture's own poets. The humblest weed or 

 moss will ever afford him something to 

 examine or to illustrate, and a great deal 

 to admire. Introduce him to the magni- 

 ficence of a tropical forest, the enamelled 

 meadows of the Alps, or the wonders of 

 New Holland, and his thoughts will not 

 dwell much upon riches or literary ho- 

 nours, things that 



<( Play round thehead, but come not near the heart." 



b2 



