20 INTRODUCTION. 



Called to visit distant lands, familiar objects like the 

 companions of his childhood greet his arrival on the 

 foreign shore, where new scenes introduce new pleas- 

 ures, and give to the fatigue of his journey the fascina- 

 ting form of amusement. Animated by the spirit of 

 'Linnaeus he climbs the highest mountains with alacrity, 

 with glowing zeal penetrates the untrodden forest, and 

 returns with cheerfulness to his homr> ; but his journey 

 is not yet ended, for he has there collected materials 

 whioh will yield him pleasure and employment, while 

 the cold blast of winter is whistling round his dwelling. 



Thus we shall find, whatever be our situations and 

 pursuits, whatever be the trials and the pleasures that 

 await us, that natural history, and especially our own 

 favourite science, multiplies the sources of innocent en- 

 joyment, extends our bounds of usefulness, and enables 

 us to encounter the storms of life with fortitude and 

 success. 



These are not the visionary speculations of youth 

 and inexperience, for experience and wisdom have uni- 

 ted their testimony in favour of Botanical pursuits. 

 " The study of Natural History has been for many years 

 the occupation of my leisure moments, and it is a mer- 

 ited tribute to say that it has lightened for me many a 

 heavy, and smoothed many a rugged hour ; that beguil- 

 ed by its charms, I have found no road rough or diffi- 

 cult, no journey tedious, no country desolate or bar- 

 ren. In solitude never solitary, in a desert never 

 without employment, I have found it a relief from the 

 languor of idleness, the pressure of business, and the 

 unavoidable calamities of life." 



The author of our Southern Flora has here spoken 

 the language of every lover of natural science, and his 

 pleasures are within the reach 0/ every individual in 



