POSTSCRIPT. 



We have now completed the history of those indigenous and 

 familiar plants which appear to be most valuable in a medical 

 point of view. Although we cannot hope to have made a 

 faultless selection, we have endeavoured to illustrate those 

 plants, the efficacy of which, in the cure of disease, is as- 

 serted and reiterated by able and practical men. We cannot 

 vouch that every property ascribed to them will bear the 

 test of rigid scrutiny; — those which appeared doubtful have 

 been mentioned, chiefly that attention may be directed to 

 them, and that experience may decide their value. In many 

 instances there has been no alternative but to introduce them 

 solely on the testimony of the ancient writers ; for in recent 

 times, although many persons condemn them altogether, they 

 do not pretend that their censure is the result of investigation 

 and experiment. The popular remedial uses of the various 

 plants have been adduced as often as they could be ascer- 

 tained, with the hope that such information, rude though it 

 be, may at any rate lead to a more accurate and scientific 

 knowledge. There may be some plants of little importance 

 contained in this Work, but we should prefer to introduce a 

 few that are inert than to omit one that is important and va- 

 luable. Doubtless there are some yet undescribed which are 

 nevertheless endued with medicinal virtues ; these it shall be 

 our object to discover and investigate, and if this work shall 

 meet with approval and success, they will either be published 

 in a supplementary form, together with the poisonous Fungi, 

 or be incorporated with a future edition. 



With regard to the positive merits or defects of the present 

 Work, we shall merely observe that, while faults of material 

 consequence, it is hoped, will not be discovered, there must 

 be, in every such production, some errors and omissions. 

 Communications candidly pointing out such defects, sugges- 



