XXX P K E F V < E. 



tween inverted commas, the few which I could not 

 consult. I cannot too often insist on the mischief 

 of copying synonyms from other books. The value 

 of synonyms consists entirely in their collector being 

 answerable for their exactness ; by which he enriches 

 his own work with the accumulated treasures of the 

 botanical library, as far as his readers think proper 

 to follow up the pursuit. But if he blindly tran- 

 scribes them, such surreptitious references are sure 

 to be soon discovered, by the frequent errors of the 

 press, respecting pages or figures, which occur in 

 most books. At a single discovery of this kind, 

 all our respect and confidence vanish ; for we know 

 not that every thing else of the same nature is not 

 equally fallacious ; and an author who has appeared 

 very learned and deeply read, proves a copyist of 

 the very lowest rank, decked out with imposing but 

 borrowed feathers. M. DeCandolle, that great prac- 

 tical as well as learned botanist, has not only ex- 

 amined critically his immense store of synonyms, 

 but has subjoined a mark of admiration, whenever 

 he has seen the original specimen of any author. 

 He disposes his references chronologically, which, 

 in a general system, has many advantages. I have 

 followed no precise method in the arrangement of 

 mine, except that the Linnaean and other systematic 

 ones stand first, as agreeing mostly with the names 

 I have adopted ; and those which are most certain 

 or important generally take the lead. I have taken 

 great pains, from original authorities, to determine 

 all those of Haller. The older writers are ranged 

 according to the goodness of their figures, the value 

 or certainty of their information, or perhaps accord- 



