INTRODUCTION 



years, so that modern plants are not an infallible 

 guide. 



On the whole it seems best to keep " purple " 

 (Littre has regularly " pourpre ") unless the context 

 shows that such a rendering is impossible or absurd. 



Fero in PUny is often neither intensive nor ad- 

 versative, neither " indeed " nor " however," but 

 almost a mere connective pai*ticle equivalent to item. 

 Sometrmes, but by no means always, it introduces a 

 climax. Usually, however, a slight, generally a very 

 shght, adversative force remains, and I have always 

 tried " however " and " indeed " before falUng back 

 on a purely connective word. 



Oleum, translated " oil," was usuaUy, perhaps 

 always, oUve oil. When another kind of oil is 

 indicated an epithet is added. 



The Latin names of plants have been kept unless to 

 do so would be absurd ; I wTite for instance sideritis 

 and ageraton, but " rose " and " plantain." In other 

 words, EngUsh names are used only when they are 

 famiUar and also correct identincations. The Jndex 

 of Plants should clear up most of the difficulties 

 that may occur. 



