PREFACE. XIX 



to Ray's Synopsis, in original merit and authority 

 upon English plants." It is now continued, with 

 great ability, by Professor Hooker of Glasgow. 



In the year 1790 the late Mr. James Sowerby, an 

 eminent botanical draughtsman and a faithful ob- 

 server of nature, requested my assistance in publish- 

 ing coloured figures* of British plants. I readily 

 undertook the letter-press of this work, and it came 

 out in monthly numbers, under the title of English 

 Botany. My name at first did not appear ; but 

 finding the book a fit vehicle for original informa- 

 tion and criticism, I publickly acknowledged it by a 

 preface to the fourth volume in 1795, and the title- 

 page of every succeeding volume declares its real 

 author. This publication, from which the Fungi 

 are excluded, has now extended to 36 volumes, and 

 has been closed, for the present, by general indexes 

 to the whole. It approaches nearer to a complete 

 set of figures of the native plants, than ever appeared 

 in this or any country. The plates amount to 2592, 

 and it is but just to the memory of the excellent and 

 lamented artist, to say, that they are, on the whole, 

 the most expressive and accurate of their kind. In 

 the account of each species, besides corrected cha- 

 racters, synonyms and descriptions,! have frequently 

 introduced whatever might recommend the study of 

 plants, diffuse a charm over the more dry and techni- 

 cal parts of the subject, improve our scientific lan- 

 guage, or direct the contemplative mind to more 

 important and exalted views of its Creator's works. 

 The English Botany has had an extensive sale, and 

 I trust it has very widely promoted a love of plants, 

 and a taste for correct and scientific botany. Some- 



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