IN the following pages are described in technical 

 terms, a few of the commoner species of the more im- 

 portant families. It is intended that each description 

 be read with the plant, or specimen referred to, 

 before the reader, and it cannot be too strongly kept 

 in mind that unless close attention is at the same 

 time paid to the actual specimen, the reading of these, 

 or any, descriptions is worthless. Each genus is 

 taken by itself, and the characters they have in com- 

 mon, and because of which they are united in the 

 family, are pointed out. 



* Denotes those found only in cooler climates, e.g. in South 

 India, on the hills. 



