INTRODUCTION xix 



Genera of British Plants, and followed in the Camhriilgc British flora (Vol. II 

 only published) by Dr. Moss. (See also a review of this and works by other 

 Continental botanists by the same writer as they aflect the British I-lor.-i.) 

 \Varmini;'s Systtmatic Botany is a tjeneral textbook of some value, with an 

 appendix or summary of diflVient systems by Dr. Ainsworth Davis. 



The system followed in this country so far is that of Bonth.im and Hooker 

 in Genera Plantaruiii. 



In order to g'o into the question both of nomenclature and classification, upon 

 which only hints can be given here without any discussion of either subject, the 

 student must not confine his attention, however, only to British works, but miist 

 study foreign works, a selection of which only can be given. {Vide Bibliography.) 

 The subject is so vast and difficult that it can only be referred to in this work. 

 Fuller bibliographies are given in the works cited. Though not up-to-date as far 

 as authorities and information go, two small works that may be useful, as giving 

 the meaning of scientific names and a certain number of synonyms for species, 

 are Names and Synonyms of British Plants by J. Hgerton-Warburton, 1889, and 

 Botanical Names for English Readers by R. H. Alcock, 1S76. 



Indispensable is Index Keivcnsis by B. D. Jackson, and Durand's Supplement. 

 A handy pamphlet is Index Abcedarius bj' VV. P. Hiern. Also useful are Pritzel's 

 Icones Plantarum, Nyman's Conspectus, and De Candolle's Prodromus, as well as 

 Just's Botanischer Jahresbericht. 



In conclusion, it must ever be borne in mind that identification and correct 

 naming, though the first essential steps towards the investigation of a plant, 

 are nothing more. They constitute the indispensable means to a nobler end, 

 namely, the inexhaustible study of the structure and activities of the organism. 

 but can never be an end in themselves. 



