10* INTRODUCTION. 
idea of writing a Frora Capensts occurred to me; but it re- 
quired only a moment’s consideration to perceive that such a 
work, to be useful, must not be a compilation from published 
sources, but must proceed from a very laborious examination 
of species, consume a long series of years in preparation, and 
require a much more extensive acquaintance with South 
African vegetation than I possess, or have at present the 
means of acquiring. And what were my poor disciples (tz 
posse) to do while I was thus slowly acquiring the means of 
meeting their wishes? There seemed little chance of my 
being able to do anything to facilitate their approach to the 
science for many years, until the idea of the present work 
occurred to me,—a work which, though very far from supply- 
ing the place of a Flora, would atleast make some approaches 
towards one, and would show that, if I could not do all I 
wished to assist their labours, I was perfectly willing to do all 
that was in my power. 
And it struck me also, that by publishing now, thus show- 
ing that I was in earnest in my wish to undertake a Frora 
CapEnsts, it might be the means of introducing me to many 
persons interested in Botany, and living in remote districts of 
the country, who might, perhaps, be willing to unite with me 
in amassing materials from which a future Flora should pro- 
ceed. That there are many such I am willing to believe; for 
it is hardly possible that a well-educated person can haye con- 
tinually under his eye so many and such beautiful flowers as 
are scattered all over the country, without occasionally feeling 
an admiration of their structure, and a desire to learn some- 
thing of their affinities and properties. A little sympathy 
and encouragement are often all that are wanting to make 
Botanists of these. Intercourse by letter, and interchanges 
of specimens, foster the incipient taste, till it “take root 
downward and bear fruit upward.” 
Botany is essentially a science .of observation, and the more 
observers in a country to be investigated, and the more widely 
they are dispersed, the greater will be the chance of com- 
piling a perfect Flora. Every plant has its peculiar distriet— 
its “range,” as it is technically called; some species are more 
