VI 



T have again to extend a friendly caution against useless repeti- 

 tions, which not only occupy space unprofilably, but exclude matter 

 of more value. Great caution should be exercised in ascertaining 

 whether a previous record exists of any recently observed fact. It is 

 not that the recent observation must in all cases be suppressed ; 

 but, supposing the prior record to exist, it must never be given as 

 new. Thus, it may be a matter of considerable interest to know that 

 Cucubalus, Asparagus, Paeonia, Lobelia ureus, &c., continue to main- 

 tain their old stations ; but it would be completely inexcusable to 

 communicate those stations as possessing any novelty. This very 



observation is a repetition, but a repetition which is called for by the 

 circumstances of the case. 



The very copious table of contents which immediately follows will, 

 it is hoped, be accepted, for the present, in lieu of the summary usu- 

 ally given in the Preface. It is not intended to dispense altogether 

 with this summary, although the time and mode of its appearance is 

 still unfixed. I would, however, invite attention to the recent dis- 

 coveries in that limited field which I have more particularly endea- 

 voured to cultivate. Pseudathyrium alpestre has been found in pro- 

 fusion in the Highlands of Scotland ; Asplenium germanicum in 

 Cumberland and Caenarvonshire ; both the Woodsias again in Caer- 

 narvonshire, and with a considerably extended range ; Trichomanes 

 speciosum in two new Irish habitats ; and last, but not least, Asple- 

 nium Halleri, the A. fontanum of our books, has occurred, in some 

 plenty, on a stone wall in a county where its discovery would never 

 have been anticipated. On these subjects I am not permitted to say 

 more ; but I do not doubt that the early numbers of next year will 

 contain every particular. 



EDWARD NEWMAN. 



9, Devonshire St., Bishopsgate, 

 November, 1852. 



