PREFACE. XI 



want of a systematical English description of 

 British plants, on the principles of this Tntro^ 

 duction ; but that deficiency I hope as soon as 

 possible to supply. In the mean while Dr. 

 Withering's work may serve the desired pur- 

 pose, attention being paid only to his original 

 descriptions, or to those quoted from English 

 writers. His index will atone for the changes 

 I cannot approve in his system. Wherever 

 my book may be found deficient in the ex- 

 planation of his or any other terms, as I pro- 

 fess to retain only what are necessary, or in 

 some shape useful, the ^Language of Botany ^ 

 by Professor Martyn, will prove extremely ser- 

 viceable. 



Having thus explained the use and intention 

 of the present work, perhaps a few remarks on 

 the recommendations of the study of Botany, 

 besides what have already been suggested, may 

 not here be misplaced. 



1 shall not labour to prove how delightful and 

 instructive it is to 



" Look through nature up to Nature's God." 



Neither, surely, need I demonstrate, that if 

 any judicious or improved use is to be made of 



