FOREWORDS 



are many more which by the application of the same arts would 

 yield equally successful results. For example, there is an almost 

 unworked mine of wealth in Grinum, Watsonia, Cyrtanthus, 

 Hcemanthus, Hymenocallis, Phcedranassa, Zephyranthes, Ornitho- 

 galum, and Oxalis, genera that are particularly rich in species of 

 horticultural merit. They and many others are practically unknown 

 only because they have never had their opportunity. It is only recently 

 that Freesia, Lachenalia, and Nerine have caught the popular eye; 

 and the oldest of us can remember the advent of Narcissus as the 

 glory of the British garden in spring. 



Mr Weathers' book is, in my opinion, a praiseworthy attempt to 

 open up the bulb world to the horticultural explorer. During his 

 many years' service at Kew, Mr Weathers had exceptional opportunities 

 to acquire a knowledge of the contents of the large collection there, 

 and the notes and drawings then and afterwards made he has now 

 turned to useful account. 1 take the liberty to recommend his book to 

 all cultivators who take an intelligent interest in plants that are 

 attractive, either in floral characters, habit, or peculiarities of form 

 qualities which are prominent in the majority of the species which he 

 has described and figured. 



W. WATSON. 



sii 



