vi PREFATORY 



budding orator was constrained to overhear, when 

 observed to be poring a little too attentively over 

 the notes in his hat lining. But be that as it may, 

 we think with those who think it's better to recall 

 from notes, than never to recall at all. 



I have the key part of this book transcribed in 

 pocket form. It has been an added interest to me, 

 as a visitant to Kew, or a pedestrian in Pinetums, to 

 have a reference book, something in the shape of a 

 Ready Recognizer, at hand to verify conjectures ; 

 and in the same way, and under similar circumstances, 

 I hope this idea may be found capable of being car- 

 ried out by others, and that it may prove of the same 

 use as it has been to me on such a visit. You cannot 

 — it is too heavy a strain — stow away in the recesses 

 of your coat pocket volumes of Trees of Great Britain 

 (Elwes and Henry). On such occasions. Bean {Trees 

 and Shrubs), though smaller, would be an uncarry- 

 able load; Ve itch's Book of Conifers a prohibitive 

 encumbrance ; Clinton Baker's volumes, if nicely 

 bound, a sheer impossibility. If you are able to 

 store up all their definitions in your head, and out- 

 pour them at will at the psychological moment, all 

 well and good; there would be no need of a pocket 

 edition of " What's what in Conifers," or any other 

 such cold comforts of the kind, and which abridged 

 editions are wont to confer. It is for those not able 

 to accomplish this kind of carrying trade to their own 

 satisfaction that I plead justification for this effort — 

 and fearlessly I own — collected from the writings of 

 those at whose feet I would sit, and gladly have sat, 

 and among them are some who shall be nameless, 

 but whom I shall ever [deem it a privilege to have 

 known in the flesh. I make no apology for repro- 

 ducing, even in exact words, on occasions throughout 

 these Identifying Tables, the written writings of 

 authors of mighty works and of monumental fame. 



