■'S'.'Tamcai. 



PREFACE 



This book is written for persons fond of nature, and especially of 

 flowers, trees, and gardens, but who have not sufficient leisure to 

 study Botany minutely, though ardently wishful to learn such portions 

 of that pleasing science as are useful, practical, and easily at com- 

 mand. It begins with a general Introduction to Botany ; then comes 

 a key by which the name of any wild-flower of the neighbourhood 

 may quickly be ascertained ; this is followed by a second key, telling 

 the names of Trees by the shapes and other peculiarities of their 

 leaves ; and lastly, there is a complete descriptive list of the plants 

 indigenous to the district, with particulars as to where they grow, 

 when they are in blossom, and other matters considered interesting 

 or useful to be added. My great aim has been to make everything 

 plain, describing things with as few technical terms as possible, so 

 that, with a proper exercise of attention on the part of the student, 

 no the book may be a complete and per^ ^y intelligible guide. That 

 ' ' there are plenty of books professi' .ue same object, I am well aware ; 

 ^], but with scarcely an except' ^u, they are like ladders deficient in the 

 >— lower steps. In the present volume it has been endeavoured . to 

 >: supply that deficiency, and thus render the means of access at once 



