XDIX. 



Concerning the virtues of plants which have not yet 

 bcc*i tried. 



AS the intent of this work is truly to be of use to 

 mankind, the author who is desirous of making- 

 that utility as extensive as possible, cannot close it 

 without observing, that, notwithstanding' the great 

 deal that is known of the virtues of English plants, 

 there is certainly a great deal more unknown ; and 

 there is room for great discoveries. 



The plants mentioned in this work are only four 

 or five hundred, and not all these of English 

 growth ; if they were, they would yet be but a 

 very small number in proportion to the whole. 

 The catalogue of those native of our own country, 

 as published by Mr. Kay, amounting to many 

 thousands ; great numbers therefore remain yet 

 untried. 



To what purpose can a man devote the hours 

 of his leisure better, than to the discovering among 

 the number to the unregarded, virtues which may 

 farther supply the catalogue of our own remedies, 

 and make the roots and seeds brought from re- 

 mote countries less necessary ? What encourage- 

 ment to the attempt, that there are such mul- 

 titude of objects for the trial ! and that the dis- 

 covering but one remedy among them all for 

 3 it 



