Jy PREFACE. 



entitled to the highest deference. The volume is concluded as those 

 which preceded it have done, as we intend any future ones to do, and 

 must speak for itself; we shall, therefore, leave it to explain and esta- 

 blish its own merit. 



Nature is the general name adopted for all earthly things which are 

 not the result of human labour and contrivance ; the works of Nature, 

 tiierefore, abound in almost endless variety, and the science of botany 

 may be considered to be the knowledge of Nature in her vegetable de- 

 partment. In this vast and most interesting field there is ample range 

 for the employment and improvement of every intellect. We shall 

 attempt, in future, to direct the attention of our readers to this in- 

 structive and truly deliglitful subject ; and our most zealous efforts 

 shall be employed to advance the art of Floriculture, as well as the 

 science of whatever is connected therewith. To accomplish this, we 

 again most respectfully solicit the assistance of our friends, and we feel 

 assured, having that, the results will be approved. We very respect- 

 fully acknowledge our obligations to tlieni, and, in confidence of having 

 future aid, we shall begin anew to evince our gratitude. 



To ourselves. Floriculture has a peculiar charm ; its practical results 

 are not only delightful to the eye, but exhilirate the finer feelings, ex- 

 pand the mind, and as everj' flower has a voice with which mankind 

 may hold delightful and beneficial converse, we are anxious that others, 

 with us, should derive the felicity they are designed to afford, tending, 

 too, to raise tiie mind from the immensity and beauty of what this earth 

 affords, to those brighter regions where the flowers never wither, droop, 

 or die. 



Downham, November 21, 1846. 



