PREFACE. XXvii 



gradually form a valuable memorial of his labours, 

 and a storehouse of pleasing recollections and asso- 

 ciations. I have long ago observed, that " a plant 

 gathered in a celebrated or delightful spot, is, like 

 the hair of a friend, more dear to memory than even 

 a portrait ; because it excites the imagination, v^ith- 

 out presuming to fill it ;" nor do I find such senti- 

 ments at all impaired by advancing age. 



In the language of the present v^^ork, freed from 

 all exceptionable allusions, I have chiefly aimed at 

 writing common sense in plain English. Hard 

 words have never taught wisdom, nor does truth 

 require them. The few unavoidable technical ex- 

 pressions must be familiar to those who have read 

 any introductory book, especially the Introduction 

 to Botany and Grammar, or may be readily under- 

 stood by a reference to such publications. In doubtful 

 cases I have taken Johnson's Dictionary for autho- 

 rity ; but wherever a pure English word could be 

 found, I have preferred it, as well as English termi- 

 nations and construction. Happy should I be to 

 lend any assistance to the improvement and esta- 

 blishment of our botanical language, or to remove 

 from it the charges of inelegance and obscurity. 

 Late writers have, from diffidence or inattention, not 

 much furthered this object. I hope following ones 

 will not overlook it, but concur with me where they 

 find me in the right, and improve upon me where 

 they see occasion ; altering nothing for the sake of 

 alteration, either in characters or language ; such 

 emendations, however easy, being extremely incon- 

 venient. It is scarcely necessary to remark that 

 smooth, as opposed to all hairiness and roughness, 



