1862.] ADDRESS OF THE EDITOR. 9 



■ When tlie ' Phytologist ' made her first appearance, micro- 

 scopes were not so common as they are now. Hence we have 

 never had more than a scantling of physiological matter. We 

 are not very desirous of getting communications on structural 

 botany, or about the anatomy of vegetation, because this is 

 generally to be met with in good elementary introductions to the 

 science. Facts relating to the economy of living objects remain 

 still to be discovered, and these are of never-failing interest. 

 The phenomena of life, whether in sentient or non-sentient ob- 

 jects, is exceedingly attractive and very instructive both to bota- 

 nical and general readers. 



Again, anotlier word to all readers, whether microscopists or 

 only good practical observers unaided by these excellent scien- 

 tific auxiliaries. Facts about the uses of plants, for example, in 

 diet, or in medicine, or in clothing, or in the arts, or in any 

 manufactorial process, will be thankfully received and duly ho- 

 noured. The ' Phytologist ' professes the creed of universal 

 utilitarianism, and she solicits contributions from all quarters 

 and on all subjects connected with the Vegetable Kingdom so far 

 as these are subservient to the necessities of man, and are con- 

 tributory to the gratification of his tastes, and to the enlarge- 

 ment of his intellectual and moral faculties. 



Our strong point always has been, and probably ever will be, 

 local botany, and Ave are not afraid of exhausting the subject. Is 

 there any equal portion of the earth's surface which has been 

 more diligently searched for plants than England has been ? and 

 there are none who know so well how much remains to be done 

 as those who are best acquainted with the botany of their native 

 land . 



We have another favour to ask, in addition to the foregoing 

 humble request, to be supplied with as many facts on econo- 

 mical, physiological, and local botany as our obliging friends can 

 let us have with as little trouble to themselves as possible, viz. 

 examples or forms of certain species or alleged species of plants, 

 for purposes which are now to be stated in detail. 



In the first place, CFnantlie ■peuctdardfoha, Sm., or CE. silai- 

 folia, Bieb., is wanted. The plant so called, in some parts of 

 England, approaches too near to what is now universally (?) 

 named (E. Lachenalii, to be always distinguishable from the 

 latter-named species. 



N. S. VOL. VI. c 



