Much of a work like the present must necessarily be de- 

 pendant on the labours of preceding botanists; on men who have 

 toiled, and some who still toil, to raise to perfection a delightful 

 science, inexhaustible in extent and intricate in its ramifi- 

 cations. In this little work it is not the province of the 

 author to wade deep in the current of science and research. 

 He humbly collects from the sweets and the beauties that float 

 on the surface, and of these he has pleasure in composing a 

 nosegay, as a periodical present to the lovers of a flower 

 garden. 



Many ideas, it is presumed, will be found in the following 

 sheets, which have arisen from the author's own experience. 

 Others may be met with, which for the hundredth time are 

 presented to the eye of the reader. But whether old or new, 

 original or selected, his endeavour will be to keep in view one 

 principal object the production of every useful and interesting 

 information connected with the subjects on which he treats. 



Regarding the correctness of the plates he can speak 

 with confidence. Talented artists have lent their aid, and 

 every exertion has been made to render them as perfect por- 

 traits as the state of the arts, and pecuniary remuneration, 

 will admit. 



That he owes much gratitude to several individuals of 

 noble rank, for their condescension in forwarding his views, 

 he is deeply sensible. He would have pleasure in a more ex- 

 plicit acknowledgment of their favours; but that superior 

 minds feel no gratification in whatever may assume the form of 

 adulation. 



The reception of the Botanic Garden can but inspire the 

 author with additional zeal in his favourite pursuit, and stimu- 

 late his endeavours to secure a continuance of that patronage 

 which in the present excess of literary productions, may be 

 deemed no rifling distinction. 



