VI PREFACE. 



The Proprietors will not part with the ' Phytologist^ (a title, 

 by the way, etymologically and logically bad, for it is the appel- 

 lation of a person, not of a book) before stating that they regret 

 having to say " Good bye P' 



The monthly labour of selecting matter to fill its pages has 

 been a light task, for our kind correspondents filled our hands ; 

 the duty of preparing the selections for the press was no un- 

 grateful office, while the correspondence has been a source of un- 

 mitigated pleasure. But, as they say, the best of friends must 

 part when the hour of parting comes ; and it is as much a part 

 of prudence to know when to part or leave off, as to know when 

 to meet and to begin. Besides, we do not say adieu to our nu- 

 merous correspondents; but au revoir, as our good friends south 

 of Kent say, — that is, till we " meet again." We say, farewell to 

 the ' Phytologist,^ which we have already condemned for being a 

 pedantic term, ill-applied as the name of a publication ; and we 

 say, Hail, welcome, aud good success to all phytologists or phyto- 

 logers, or botanists or herbarists, or rhizotomists or simplers, — to 

 all the confraternity, including the fair sisterhood, collectively 

 and individually, under whatever appellation you, O gentle 

 reader or readers, choose or like to give to your confreres, or 

 wish to appropriate to yourselves. 



Favete vel salvete, lectores benevolentissimi et pulcherrimce ; 

 or, long life and much enjoyment be your lot, ye fair and brave 

 daughters and sons of science ! We do not like to say valete, or 

 farewell, for this is a word of sad and solemn import, and we are 

 neither grave nor sorry. We earnestly wish, O most indulgent 

 readers, that your contentment and pleasure may be as abundant 

 and lasting as have been our edification and delight in your 

 kind, disinterested, and useful correspondence. May increasing 

 years increase still more our goodwill, esteem, and mutual obli- 

 gations ; may time draw closer the ties of friendly intercourse 

 which have long subsisted, and which, on our part, are now most 

 respectfully and thankfully acknowledged. 



