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PREFACE. 17* 



Sound, etc., in which case I have meuiioned only E. Brown, or some 

 others of those who first collected it, and excepting also Tasmania 

 and Victoria, For the two latter colonies, I have usually extracted or 

 abridged the stations (always verified on tlie specimens) given in the 

 elaborate Eloras of J, D. Hooker and F. Mueller. 



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Many of the varieties which 1 have indicated will be considered as 

 distinct species by a large number of general botanists ; on the other 

 band, there are many forms which I have adopted as species which Dr 

 Mueller is disposed to reduce. In some cases I have yielded to hu 

 opinion, rather against the conclusion I should have come to from the 

 examination of dried specimens, because, for Victoria plants especially, 

 be has the great advantage of observing them living in their native sta- 

 tions. Having had myself iimch experience in describing 'plants both 

 M'lth and without this aid, and of testing descriptions made with and 

 without it, I can fully appreciate the great use that can be made of it, 

 provided due caution be observed, for it often acts as a snare. It rarely 

 occurs that many species of a genus are found together so as to admit 

 of comparison in a growing state, and we are too apt in regard to them 

 to trust to recollections of general impressions. I do not consider it 

 £^afe therefore to unite forms usually regarded as distinct and appcarin 

 so in a large number of specimens from a great variety of stations, on 

 account of generally observed variations unconfirmed by specimens, nor 

 even on account of single apparently intermediate specimens, unless the 

 lustory of such abnormal specimens is ascertained. Little as we know, 

 for instance, of the influence of natural hybridizing in Europe, it has 

 been still^ less, if ever, observed in Australia ; and many other causes . 

 niay have produced apparent passages between species really distinct. 

 I have, therefore, wherever there is a diff^erence of opinion between Dr. 

 Mueller and myself, adopted the conclusion which has appeared to me 

 the most probable, and mentioned the objection to it for the considera- 

 tion and, if possible, the decision of future botanists. 



-A^t the moment of sending these pages to press, several additional 

 collections have arrived at Kew from Dr. Mueller, from Mr. OlJiield, 

 and from Mr. B. Lowrie. Were I to delay the publication of this volume 

 for the purpose of inperting any additions they miglit supply, it is pro- 

 ^^^ble that others again might come to hand, and to such delays there 

 ^■ould be no limit. As it is probable, also, that the first use of this 

 volume may be the moans of detecting many errors or inaccuracies, I 

 think it better to reserve all ^= Addenda and Corrigenda" for a Sup- 

 plement, to be issued with the second volume. 



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VOL. I. 



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