Editorial Preface 



has been given by them in botanical journals, 

 no systematic study seems to have been 

 made from month to month by any resident 

 or visitor, and no handbook has been pub- 

 lished as in the case of almost every other 

 Scottish county. 



It is therefore necessary that attention 

 should be directed to the fact that Edmond- 

 ston's "Flora" published in 1845, and the 

 present edition fifty-eight years later, are 

 the only attempts of the kind in existence, 

 as far as the editor can ascertain. 



Owing to the writer's unfamiliarity with 

 several of the islands, the confirmation of 

 much of Edmondston's notes has been re- 

 ferred to the notes of others published in 

 the aforementioned scientific journals. 



This work has been greatly assisted by 

 advice from Dr I. B. Balfour, F.R.S., etc., 

 Edinburgh, G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S., Pro- 

 fessor in City of London College, Bryant 

 Sowerby, F.R.S., and W. H. Beeby, F.L.S. 



While gratefully acknowledging the letters 

 of advice sent by each of these gentlemen, 

 special thanks are due to Mr Beeby, who not 

 only advised, but also lent a set of his pub- 

 lished notes for comparison. 



