viii PREFACE. 



I am also indebted to him and to Professor Oliver for the careful revision 

 of the proof-sheets, and for many valuable facts, opinions, and sug- 

 gestions during the progress of the work. 



When I commenced this FLORA, it was my intention to have made it a 

 record of those physiological and morphological observations on British 

 plants which have of late given so great an impulse and zest to botanical 

 pursuits ; and towards which I was offered much assistance from my 

 friends Mr. Darwin, Professor Oliver, and Professor Dioksou of Glasgow ; 

 and this intention was my chief inducement to undertake the work. I 

 had, however, made but little progress before I discovered that the num- 

 ber of such observations was so great, and that the value, accuracy, and 

 interpretation of many were so much disputed, that to make even a 

 small selection from them would be a very difficult task, and would have 

 filled a volume far exceeding the dimensions required for students. I 

 do not, however, abandon the hope of being able at some future time ID 

 undertake such a task, in the form of a Companion to the STUM vr'> 



ROYAL GARDENS, KKW, 

 May I, 1870. 



