vi 
larger work, no easy matter in many cases from the names failing to correspond ; 
the references are to the correct numbers of the pages which are sometimes at 
variance with the printed numbers. A dash — following the English name, 
indicates that I am not able to quote the plant as occurring in the Herball; where 
Johnson criticises Gerard, gives a better figure, or supplies one wanting in the 
Author’s edition, I have also quoted the edition of 1633. It will be seen that 
extracts from the Herball are frequently supplied, when likely to add interest to 
the account of the several plants. In a few other cases, I have referred to the 
other works, for which I must refer the reader to the list of books quoted. 
With very few exceptions, I have strictly adhered to the original order in which 
the items occur, an occasional transposition having been made for the sake of 
convenience, and a very few obvious misprints corrected. 
The names given last are in Clarendon type, and are those in modern use. In 
reducing the old nomenclature to its modern equivalents, I have made free use of 
contemporaneous botany. Johnson’s edition of Gerard’s Herball (1633), Bauhin’s 
Pinax (1623), and Ray’s Historia Plantarum (1686-1704), were in constant requisition, 
whilst Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis, ed. II. (1810-13) was of great service in checking 
the results. Many otherwise doubtful plants have been determined by help of 
the Sloane Herbarium, the possession of which, contributes to render the British 
Museum unrivalled for such researches; the only other place, in this country at all 
events, where similar facilities are obtainable, is Oxford, from the Sherardian Library 
and Herbarium in the Botanic Garden there. The vagueness noticeable in 
Gerard’s works, has proved a constant source of annoyance and possible error in 
the task of determination ; I have, however, succeeded in escaping some mistakes 
which my predecessors in this unfrequented field have committed. How far I have 
completely avoided error, I of course cannot tell, but I may honestly state, that I 
have spared neither time nor pains to render this work as accurate throughout as 
possible ; those who have engaged in similar work to mine, will, I doubt not, 
took leniently upon the shortcomings of this work, to which I cannot blind myself. 
It has frequently been necessary, from the total incompatibility of the English 
and Latin names, to judge by probabilities, which denomination to follow. 
The typographical execution of the second edition is far superior to that of the 
first, as will be seen on ipspection even of this reprint ; the original pagination I have 
indicated by figures placed in the margin. The only copy of the fret édition:. so 
_ far as Tam aware, is that in the British Museum, (Press mark, C. 18. 6.) formerly 
ae possession of Sir Hans Sloane ; this is the copy described by Dryander in 
