PREFACE. 



The British character with which from the beginning I have striven 

 to invest this journal, has been remarkably developed during the present 

 year, and I believe this restriction has been a main cause of the very 

 considerable increase in circulation which has taken place. The 

 establishment of a somewhat rival journal, under the title of the 

 ' Botanical Gazette,' although conducted with the same fairness, and 

 absence of hostile expression, which I trust has invariably characterized 

 the pages of the ' Phytologist,' yet seemed likely to divide botanists 

 into two sections, and establish a party in favour of each. I cannot 

 find that this has been the case, and I regard the ' Gazette ' as likely 

 to draw from the pages of the ' Phytologist ' only such purely tech- 

 nical papers as previously were occasionally, but very unfrequently, 

 found in its pages. One circumstance, however, connected with the 

 ' Gazette' I cannot avoid mentioning with regret. I allude to the fact 

 that on its commencement the Botanical Society of Edinburgh ceased 

 to send me reports of their meetings, while such reports were regularly 

 supplied to the ' Gazette.' Seeing that I was one of the earliest sub- 

 scribers to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, that I obtained for 

 them a great number of other subscribers, and that I never subscribed 

 to any other Botanical Society, this conduct certainly seems uncour- 

 teous, some might say unjust. The Botanical Society of London has 

 taken a directly opposite course, and has regularly transmitted an 

 account of its proceedings, although I have never subscribed towards 

 their expenses. I beg very cordially to thank Mr. Dennes, the ener- 

 getic and indefatigable Secretary, for his continued kindness and 

 attention in this matter. 



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