PREFACE. Vll 



lias been drawn up in the leisure intervals permitted bj 

 business, with a view of presenting, as far as possible in a 

 popular shape, this interesting family of plants. 



They must however be made the objects, more or less, 

 of scientific study and research, before their beauty can be 

 thoroughly appreciated, so that it has not been attempted to 

 do away with technical terms. These terms, we are per- 

 suaded, will, with the assistance of the Glossary, be easily 

 mastered by those who really are or get interested in the 

 subject; and their investigation will, it is hoped, prove a 

 suitable preparative for such as may afterwards apply to 

 works of greater detail and more scientific pretensions. 



The Author returns his best thanks to those who have 

 aided him by contributions of specimens, drawings, and the 

 use of valuable works beyond his reach. 



