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2 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. 
It will be my endeavour to remedy this defect, as far as New Zealand is concerned ; 
but I fear there are difficulties at the outset, which will deter many from taking advantage 
of my attempt. In the first place, it is impossible to write Botanical descriptions which a 
person ignorant of Botany can understand; although it is supposed by many unacquainted 
with science, that this can and should be done. Such persons would allow that it requires 
a special study, and the knowledge of various technical terms, to determine a latitude, or 
measure a mountain; and they regard the proficient in these matters as profoundly learned : 
they forget that no more science is required in following practically the operations of the 
astronomer or surveyor, than in naming plants by artificial systems. Both are nevertheless 
very useful operations, involving a certain amount of application, and the acquirement of 
some technical knowledge; and are equally capable of being turned to good account upon 
every occasion, though their exercise demands no high effort of the mind, and their pursuit 
does not make a man scientific. On the other hand, to assign to plants their positions in 
the Natural System requires an infinitely higher exercise of the faculties; and is one which, 
if it does not rank with the profound abstractions of the astronomer and mathematician, 
demands more study and experience than is usually supposed. If, however, I have not been 
able to write down to the capacity of those unacquainted with the nature of plants, and who 
will not take the trouble to gain this knowledge, I have at least endeavoured to avoid all 
unnecessary technicalities and repetitions, and to give, as briefly as possible, such infor- 
mation as will identify a plant. 
I would strongly recommend the beginner first to acquire the scientific names of 
a few conspicuous New Zealand plants, either through some friend, or by aid of the 
native names (whose imperfection I extremely regret), or by the figures, or the notes 
appended to the descriptions; and to observe which of them are European. Then let him 
take any elementary work, and refer these plants to their Natural Orders, of which the cha- 
racters should be studied carefully, and a complete knowledge acquired of the relations and 
uses of each part. Take, for instance, “ Puawhananga," the first plant in this book: it 
is well known, and impossible to be mistaken: it belongs to an English Natural Order 
a description of which will be found in Dr. Lindley’s ‘School Botany,’ and should be 
studied with the plant. By repeating this operation several times, the student will in- 
sensibly acquire a knowledge of the New Zealand Flora, for the study of one leads to the 
determination of many. 
I have not given the characters of the Natural Orders, as a knowledge of them belongs 
rather to the grammar of Botany, and they are not necessary for scientific Botanists ; but I shall 
append to the Introduction an English Synopsis of the New Zealand ones. In the meanwhile, 
the beginner should possess himself of Dr. Lindley’s ‘ Vegetable Kingdom*;” and, to master 
* -A very thick octavo volume, with admirable woodcuts, and full descriptions, written in the simplest lan- 
guage, of all the Natural Orders, their relations, uses, distribution, etc. The price is 30s., that of the ‘School 
Botany,’ 5s. 6d., and that of the * Elements of Botany,’ 12s. It is much to be desired that these and similar works 
be added to colonial schools and public libraries. Dr. Balfour’s ‘ Manual’ costs 12s. 6d. 
