Preface. 



Hooker was always a safe guide, though the sequence as adopted 

 by the authors of that great opus was not in all instances adhered 

 to for the present volume. 



The multifarious demand on the author's time did not allow, to 

 check by autopsy all the diagnostic definitions now offered, as the 

 close inspection of the whole vast botanic treasures, accumulated 

 by him in Australia since 1847, demonstrative of manifold degrees 

 of variability, would have retarded the appearance of this volume 

 still further, than already has been the case, he being anxious to 

 carry through the work not only conscientiously but also within a 

 reasonable extent of time. Minor alterations and perhaps unim- 

 portant additions, can gradually be effected for supplemental pages 

 or perhaps new editions. Indeed, some species of plants had to be 

 laid aside, while the elaboration was progressing, to be dealt with 

 in time-taking critical examination at an early future. 



If methodically followed, the dichotomy should safely lead up 

 to any of our numerous indigenous plants, the name of which 

 is to be ascertained. But the tyro may find it in first instance 

 most convenient, to consult the many xylographic illustrations, 

 from which he ought to be able to recognise with the utmost 

 ease many of the species, indigenous in the surrounding vegetation; 

 he will have further the aid of the vernacular index, though this 

 was kept purposely brief; he can then also refer to a large number 

 of indications of very obvious outer marks, some of which will 

 lead the young disciple at once to various kinds of plants, with 

 which from striking external characteristics even the least observant 

 child must be familiar already from mere memory. The grouped 

 miscellaneous characteristics just referred to were suggested by prin- 

 ciples, first used in the volume oh " Select Plants for Industrial 

 Culture and Naturalisation (1872)," with a view of grouping 

 generically together the utilitarian plants of the globe according to 

 their various qualities and applications. On the groups of genera, 

 thus formed, arbitrary arrangements for any key different to this 

 might be founded, should such be preferred by any worker on our 



