PREFACE. xv 
be collected. By them we are ena- 
bled to discriminate the different spe- 
cies, and when discriminated to make 
trial of their utility. Without know- 
ing the different grasses, it is impos- 
sible to determine on their agricultural 
merit; or not being acquainted with 
the different herbage, to know their 
ceconomical or medicinal use; or even 
were we in possession of all their 
virtues, what doth it avail, if we be 
incapable of selecting one species from 
another. 
The number of natural grasses in 
Ireland, as well as that of its other 
herbage, is as yet far from being fully 
known; nor is it likely to be disco- 
vered until each county is. separately 
botanized, and that at different sea- 
sons of the year. For a tract of 
ground may be traversed by many, 
who are botanically acquainted with 
plants, yet new discoveries may be 
made by others who follow, 
What 
