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opinion, by far tlie most truly scientific local Flora we possess. 

 I propose, however, a few important modifications. Interesting 

 as they may be, no general essays on plant-distribution, or such 

 subjects are in place in a local Flora, not forming part of a more 

 comprehensive work. A sketch of the physiography of the 

 county, i.e. its geology, physical geography and hydrography, 

 is, on the other hand essential, and, perhaps, under the first of 

 these sub-sections, some account of our fossil Flora would be 

 not amiss. 



In the preface to his excellent Student's Flora of the British 

 Isles, Dr. Hookek mentions his intention to have added to it, 

 notes on the physiology and morphology of the several plants, 

 and this we should, I think, endeavour to carry out for our, 

 fortunately for us, far more limited area. Under this head I 

 may mention the ideal of a Flora, sketched by the great 

 German observer. Dr. Hermann Mtjllee, of Lippstadt, in his 

 " Befruchtung der Blumen durch Insekten." It ought, he says, 

 not only to give the characters for the systematic discrimination 

 of plants, but to help us to the causal conditions of these 

 characters, by noting the insects which visit the flowers, the 

 distribution of the plants, the variations of some species and so 

 forth. We, possessing Dr. Hooker's Flora and Mr. H. C. 

 Watson's 'Cybele Britannica,' need not repeat the ordinary 

 technical characters or the general distribution of the species. 

 I propose, however, to number the species, according to the 

 London Catalogue; to give, like Messrs. Trimen and Dtee, 

 references to the ' Cybele Britannica,' with frequent quotations ; 

 to state as thoroughly as possible the distribution of species 

 within the county, mentioning always, if possible, the nature of 

 the soil, not of the sub-soil ; and finally to add short notes, on 

 insects visiting the flowers or feeding on the plant, on variations, 

 physiology &c., such as are not accessible in ordinary text-books. 

 Such being my general plan, I must next inform you what I 

 have done towards its fulfilment. The Flora must contain a 

 county map, giving the surface — or soil — geology, the elevations, 

 rivers and streams and names of villages, &c. Eoads need not 

 be given, though they might aid the mere collector. I will not 



