

PREFATORY OBSERVATIONS. 



the plant it represents, is the great desideratum. Commemorative names are 

 simply useless as aids to identification, and geographical names are nearly 

 useless when good ; and as they are generally bad, they are also generally 

 objectionable. Hedera Canariensis may be cited as an example. It is the 

 Canary Islands ivy of the botanist, the Irish ivy of the horticulturist, the 

 African ivy of the traveller. The necessity of a revision of the nomenclature of 

 the Ivies may be established by a glance at any garden list of them. Thus, for 

 example, we find, even in the best catalogues, such names as Hedera helix 

 arborescens baccifera lutea. Now, to say nothing about scientific proprieties, such | 

 names spread over a collection of a hundred or so varieties constitute a painful 

 burlesque of botanical nomenclature. The plan I have adopted makes an end of 

 all such difficulties ; it provides for every distinctive kind a descriptive name, 

 which can be taken up into its proper connections by the botanist if the botanist 

 will adopt it while for the use of the gardener it is valuable, both as a key to the 

 character of the plant, as well as a suggestion of its existence. To carry out this 

 plan in its entirety, I have been compelled to assign to two out of the three 

 reputed species of Hedera new specific designations, which I trust the botanist 

 will allow, if only in aid of an experiment which has for its principal objects 

 simplicity and utility in the nomenclature of plants. Thus, ' the Canary ' or 

 1 Irish ' ivy is in this classification designated Hedera grandifolia ; and the 

 Colchican ivy, more generally known as H. Ecegneriana, is named H. coriacea." 



For a full comparison of established garden varieties, collections were 

 obtained from various quarters, in several cases at the cost of considerable 

 trouble to those who supplied them. To Messrs. Veitch & Son, of the Royal 

 Exotic Nurseries, Chelsea ; and to Messrs. Osborn & Son, of the Nurseries, 

 Fulham ; thanks are especially due for their contribution to the collection of all 

 the varieties they have cultivated or could obtain. To J. J. Fox, Esq., of 

 Stoke Newington, to whom this work is dedicated, the author is indebted for 

 assistance in the revision of the nomenclature, and gladly renders hearty thanks. 

 The illustrations, both in colour and on wood, are from the pencil of Alfred ^ 

 Slocombe, Esq., to whom also thanks are due for the patient care he has taken 

 from first to last to gratify the author's whim and to present lifelike portraits X< 

 of the pets selected for especial distinction. If it should appear to any that the 

 publication of this work is a rash proceeding, they will be spared the necessity 

 of wasting pity on the author by the announcement with which these prefatory 

 observations will conclude, that he is more concerned to do justice to his hobby 

 than to derive profit from this undertaking. That the sale of this book should be 







