190 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



parts of the county have been best explored, and which most ne- 

 glected by botanists. They will then be in a better condition to 

 diminish the apparent infrequency of certain plants, here given as 

 scarce, by the communication of habitats from the less examined 

 districts, or to supply novelties, on the sure ground, that they are 

 such because specially omitted by name, whenever attention has 

 not been called, as will be done in some instances, to the proba- 

 bility of their occurrence. It is only by these means that its 

 "Flora" can be satisfactorily known, the geographical range and 

 distribution of the various species ascertained, with any degree of 

 accuracy. 



It would be too much to expect, from the following series of 

 papers, more than a small contribution towards the knowledge of 

 the distribution of plants. Yet it has been well observed, that it is only 

 from the evidence contained in such local surveys, that comprehen- 

 sive inferences can be securely drawn. In them the philosophic 

 contemplator of nature ought to find exact, if not complete, data 

 for correct reasoning, and if the districts into which it is proposed 

 to divide a county, be well chosen, not too limited in area, nor too uni- 

 form in physical constitution, conclusions of general value may be 

 safely proposed upon an adequate basis of observed facts. 



In preparing our minds then, to commence the study of the 

 "Floi'a of Wiltshire," we should not fall into the false idea, that 

 the naming of plants is all that is required. Although it is un- 

 doubtedly one of our leading objects as practical botanists, it should 

 ever be borne in mind, that such knowledge is merely superficial 

 and tends to no intellectual or practical good. Our great aim 

 should be a thorough acquaintance with the science. We should study 

 it in all its bearings. We should possess a knowledge of the ana- 

 tomy and structure of plants, in order to qualify ourselves for 

 understanding the functions of their different parts, such as the 

 root, stem, leaves, and flowers ; and for judging of their import- 

 ance in the economy of nature. We should examine also the 

 relations they bear to each other, their specific differences, and 

 general alliance. And lastly, we should investigate their properties, 

 in order to ascertain the special uses to which they may be applied 



