SB A 

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PREFACE 



BUT few introductory words appear to be 

 necessary. The present book is the out- 

 come of many years of country life. When this 

 happy period in the fulness of time came to an 

 end, and was exchanged for a home in the outskirts 

 of the great Metropolis it was yet our happiness 

 to endeavour to gather around us some floral 

 reminiscences of those former days, to welcome 

 our old friends of the countryside in our new 

 surroundings. 



This rus in urbe has been a great pleasure to us, 

 and we would desire to share this pleasure with 

 others, if by any words of commendation of ours we 

 can so far interest them as to induce them to give 

 a like welcome to these children of Nature. 



The possession of valued friendships with others 

 of like tastes has also enriched our floral store, 

 while wanderings beyond our own shores have 

 brought us in contact with much of botanical 

 interest, valued alike for its own sake and for the 

 happy memories associated with it. 



This is really the whole matter, and, to those 

 in sympathy with it, we trust a sufficient justification 

 for the following pages. 



F. E. H. 



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