1861.] ADDRESS OF THE EDITOR. 19 



considered incapable of the enjoyment of science, and unfitted, 

 by want of education, for adding anything to its resources. 



Our object is twofold, viz. to increase the knowledge of plants 

 and of their relations, and to increase the number of those who 

 take an interest in the subject. The science will be expanded 

 by the increased number of observers. We want to widen and 

 deepen the channels of instruction, to procure more information, 

 and to spread it over a wider extent. We wish, parodying the 

 ancient distich, 



" That those may read (the Phytologist) 



Who never read before," 

 And " that those who always read 



May now read more" (botanical works). 



The ' Phytologist ' flies at humbler game than the elite of the 

 botanists of Britain, thought it does not reject help from any 

 quarter. If the latter class condescend to patronize its well- 

 intentioned efforts, to enlarge the mind by exhibiting science in 

 as attractive a form as possible, it is hoped that we are not un- 

 grateful for their patronage, nor undeserving of such acts of 

 benevolence. But we aspire to the honour of occupying a wider 

 sphere — not offering assistance to those who can help themselves, 

 but being helpful to all who will accept help at our hands ; to 

 cater for the ol iroXkoi (the million) ; to disseminate sound infor- 

 mation among as many as can be reached through our means. 

 We know that there are collecting botanists about Manchester, 

 also in North Wales, in Surrey, Hants, etc., and no doubt in 

 several counties and in many towns of the United Kingdom. 

 There are young men, amateurs, who would be very much en- 

 couraged as well as enlightened by an occasional intercourse with 

 those who may be denominated veterans in the science. And 

 the benefits of an enlarged communication between the older 

 and the younger members of the confraternity would be mutual. 

 The latter have much physical energy, quick apprehension, and 

 endurance of correction ; the former have more experience, tact, 

 and judgment. A list of the vii'i obscuri who are notoriously 

 attached to botanical pursuits, and who are known to our cor- 

 respondents as persons who would not decline, when they had • 

 nothing better to do, to go out as guides to visiting botanists, 

 and who would not think it degraded them to receive compensa- 

 tion for their time, (only Avhat would be adequate remuneration 



