PREFACE. IX 



of an ordinary octavo volume. As now limited 1 trust 

 it will be found to contain sufficient interesting matter to 

 recommend it to the public in general, and especially to 

 merchants, educational establishments, public offices, and 

 cultivators of plants in general, and that it will be the 

 forerunner of a more extensive work. 



In conclusion, I consider it my duty to thank Sir J. 

 D. Hooker for the loan of books, and to notice the great 

 assistance I have received from Mr. J. Jackson, the 

 Curator of the Museum of Economic Botany, Eoyal 

 Gardens, Kew, in preparing this work for the press and 

 in correcting proof-sheets, as also in furnishing many 

 new subjects. 



In consequence of so many subjects being noticed 

 under two or more names, it is not improbable that 

 some repetitions and omissions of reference may be 

 found ; but I trust that such are few^, and that they 

 will not have the effect of lessening the credit of the 

 book. 



JOHN SMITH, 



Ex-Curator, Royal Gardens, Kew. 

 Kew, May 1882. 



