PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



IN the course of only a few years many new vegetable 

 remedies are introduced, while others drop out of use 

 entirely. It has been our endeavour to limit the drugs 

 herein mentioned to those which are of commercial 

 value and which may be regarded as obtainable ; 

 consequently several additions will be noted as well 

 as omissions from the first edition. 



The notable alteration in this edition is the descrip- 

 tions given of the distinctive characteristics of each drug, 

 by which, it is hoped, the genuine article may be easily 

 identified. Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., perhaps the 

 best-known authority in England on medicinal plants 

 and drugs, has kindly undertaken to be responsible 

 for this part of the work. Mr. Holmes has also 

 revised the botanical names of all the drugs, supplied 

 a glossary of botanical terms and a list of authorities, 



