36 Preface to First Edition 



and varied labour, both in the field and in 

 the library. The author's isolated situation, 

 and consequent distance from the necessary 

 references to books, as well as other assist- 

 ance, were serious obstacles to its progress, 

 the more especially as he had by slow degrees 

 to form a botanical experience for himself. 



The Shetland "Flora" was originally 

 written with the view of making it a much 

 more extensive publication than it at present 

 forms, by giving descriptions of the species, 

 and much more copious habitats and general 

 observations. This design has, however, been 

 abandoned, as it would have necessarily much 

 increased the size and price of the work, 

 without materially adding to its value : for, 

 while such works as those of Smith, Hooker 

 and Babington, applying to the plants of the 

 whole of Britain, are deservedly in the hands 

 of every student, it is not likely that the 

 pages of a local "Flora" will be consulted 

 with a view to the determination of species, 

 or for the purpose of increasing a knowledge 

 of the general history of plants. Even in its 

 present form, the author would have wished 

 to have given a fuller introductory notice, 

 and more copious habitats, than his limits 



