10* INTRODUCTION. 



idea of writing a Flora Capexsis occuitocI to me ; but it re- 

 quired ouly a moment's consideration to perceive that such a 

 work, to be useful, must not be a compilation from published 

 sources, but must proceed from a very laborious examination 

 of species, consume a long series of years in preparation, and 

 require a much more extensive acquaintance with South 

 African vegetation than I possess, or have at present the 

 means of acquiring. And what were my poor disciples (in 

 posse) to do while I was thus slowly acquiring the means of 

 meeting their wishes ? There seemed little chance of my 

 being able to do anything to facilitate their approach to the 

 science for many years, until the idea of the present work 

 occurred to me, — a work which, though very far from supply- 

 ing the place of a Flora, would at least make some approaches 

 towards one, and would sbow that, if I could not do all I 

 wished to assist their labours, I was perfectly willing to do all 

 that was in my power. 



And it struck me also, that by publishing now, thus show- 

 ing that I was in earnest in my wish to undertake a Flora 

 Capensis, it might be the means of introducing me to many 

 persons interested in Botany, and living in remote districts of 

 the country, who might, perhaps, be willing to unite with me 

 in amassing materials from which a future Flora should pro- 

 ceed. That there are many such I am willing to believe ; for 

 it is hardly possible that a well-educated person can have con- 

 tinually under his eye so many and such beautiful flowers as 

 are scattered all over the country, without occasionally feeling 

 an admiration of their structure, and a desire to learn some- 

 thing of their affinities and properties. A little sympathy 

 and encouragement are often all that are wanting to make 

 Botanists of these. Intercourse by letter, and interchanges 

 of specimens, foster the incipient taste, till it " take root 

 downward and bear fruit upward." 



Botany is essentially a science of observation, and the more 

 observers in a country to be investigated, and the more widely 

 they are dispersed, the greater \vill be the chance of com- 

 piling a perfect Flora. Every plant has its peculiar district — 

 its "range," as it is technically called; some species are more 



