PREFACE 



variations of spelling. Where the textual notes go 

 beyond bare citation of the readings of the MSS., Aid., 

 Gaza, and Pliny, it is usually because I have there 

 departed from Wimmer's text. The references to 

 Pliny will, I hope, be found fairly complete. I am 

 indebted for most of them to Schneider, but I have 

 verified these and all other references. 



I venture to hope that this translation, with its 

 references and Index of Plants, may assist some 

 competent scholar-botanist to produce an edition 

 worthy of the author. 



Besides those already mentioned I have to thank 

 also my friends Professor D'Arcy Thompson, C.B., 

 Litt.D. of Dundee, Mr. A. W. Hill of Kew, Mr. E. A. 

 Bowles for help of various kinds, and the Rev. F. W. 

 Galpin for his learned exposition of a passage which 

 otherwise would have been dark indeed to me the 

 description of the manufacture of the reed mouth- 

 pieces of wood-wind instruments in Book IV. Sir John 

 Sandys, Public Orator of Cambridge University, was 

 good enough to give me valuable help in matters of 

 bibliography. 



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