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contributors and subscribers to whom I am so much indebted, and 

 without whose cordial co-operation my exertions would be altogether 

 futile. Far be it from me to insist on the value of these exertions, 

 or to claim any kind of merit for the display of botanical acumen in 

 my selection of papers for this journal. My motto has ever been 

 " the smallest contribution thankfully received," and on this principle 

 have I uniformly acted, accepting with eagerness the humblest addi- 

 tion to the stores of science. 1 firmly believe that this is the true 

 principle of progress ; and I hope that no British botanist, from John 

 O'Groat's to the Land's End, will hesitate to record his observations 

 in the fear that they may be judged unworthy of insertion. 



EDWARD NEWMAN. 



9, Devonshire Street, City, 

 December, 1848. 



