INTRODUCTION. XI 



plan presented advantages superior to those of a mere 

 alphabetical arrangement ; and as it presents a ready 

 means of reference, and is calculated, besides, to show 

 at a glance the relative floricultural importance of the 

 various orders, and to be of some use in stimulating gar- 

 deners and others to inquire into the principles on which 

 the affinities of plants are based, it is hoped that it may 

 prove generally convenient and acceptable. 



The descriptions of the species are couched in the 

 plainest terms consistent with impressing on the mind 

 of the reader the general character and value of the 

 plant from an ornamental point of view. In pursuance 

 of this object, I have confined my attention chiefly to 

 those features of plants which are essential to the produc- 

 tion of effect in the flower-garden, such as stature, habit, 

 foliage, the general character of the inflorescence, and 

 the colour and duration of the flowers. To have de- 

 scribed the more minute features and organs on which 

 the exact generic and specific characters are founded, 

 would have necessitated the employment of technicali- 

 ties by no means attractive to the unscientific reader, 

 and, without securing any compensating advantage, the 

 bulk of the book would have swollen to expensive pro- 

 portions, and the popular character which it has been 

 my desire to give it would have been sacrificed. Al- 

 though, therefore, scientific precision and completeness 

 have in no case been aimed at in the descriptions, it is 

 hoped that they will prove generally helpful, not only 

 in the selection, but also in the identification, of species. 

 I have been careful to adopt those names of genera and 

 species only that are approved by the best authorities ; 

 but, for the convenience of readers who may be ac- 



