900 



ther many thousands of other apparent facts, more or less definitely 

 and positively set forth in the Cybele. Many of these also will 

 doubtless need to be confirmed, modified, or corrected, by advancing 

 knowledge, derived from fresh observations, — from fresh facts which 

 have yet to be ascertained and recorded. 



It is hardly necessary to say more upon this (with myself) rather 

 egotistical subject. Enough has been said for my ijiimediate purpose 

 of showing, that those botanists who may be disposed to observe and 

 record facts bearing upon local and geographical botany, may find 

 ample scope and opportunity for making them real and useful con- 

 irihutions to the stores of scientijic knowledge. But they will not 

 succeed unless they can go to work with some reference to that which 

 has been done by others. They must take the trouble, and it would 

 surely not be a great trouble, to ascertain from the general works and 

 compilations, first, what is known, and secondly, what is not known. 

 He who will not take this trouble, but will prefer to publish his lists 

 or localities at random and in ignorance, may chance to put on record 

 important facts, without knowing them to be such ; but there is a 

 greater probability of his putting forth much more that is only old 

 and worthless. 



The suggestions of Mr. Newman referred to local and geographical 

 botany ; and to that I have accordingly directed also my own. But 

 this is only one field. Mr. Babington or Mr. Borrer might as readily 

 show that many facts have yet to be ascertained, many questions to 

 be answered, many doubts to be removed, in the department of de- 

 scriptive botany, even in that of Britain. Mr. Wilson or Mr. Henfrey 

 might point out how numerous and important are the matters which 

 require to be studied and settled in physiological botany ; and still 

 by appealing to Nature for fresh facts, or by re-examining old facts 

 under new conditions. Mr. Berkeley or Dr. Harvey might expatiate 

 on the ample field for novelty which cryptogamic botany spreads out 

 before those who will turn their talents in that direction. In short, 

 while the opportunities are constant and innumerable for ascertaining 

 new and useful facts, it is merely wasting type, time and trouble, to 

 print the trivial or to reprint the trite. 



Hewett C. Watson. 



Thames Ditton, June, 1847. 



