XXX P R E F A C F. 



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 practical as 

 well as learned botanist, has not only examined cri- 

 tically his immense store of synonyms, but has sub- 

 joined 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 impor- 

 tant generally take the lead. I have taken great 

 pains, from original authorities, to determine all 

 those of Haller. The older writers are ranged ac- 

 cording to the goodness of their figures, the value 

 or certainty of their information, or perhaps accord- 



