PREFACE. v 



mation scattered through the alphabetical arrangement. Those who use the 

 volume in this way will probably derive the greatest amount of advantage from 

 it ; they will, it is true, most clearly perceive the deficiencies inevitable in a 

 great measure to a work having such an extensive field, and at the same time 

 so limited a compass. 



The results of a large amount of independent observation have been con- 

 signed to these pages, and, as the bibliographical references show, recourse 

 has been had, as far as possible, to original sources for trustworthy and reliable 

 information published at home and abroad. In connexion with this, some 

 account may be given of the Illustrations. In the Plates, a large number of 

 the figures are original, drawn from the objects either by the authors or by 

 Mr. TufFen West ; in many cases, however, figures of species have been design- 

 edly taken from original plates, especially when the verbal characters were 

 doubtful. The Authors feel bound to express their thanks to Mr. West for the 

 manner in which he has applied his well-known skill and accuracy to those en- 

 gravings which were entrusted to him ; many of them, indeed, appear at first 

 sight somewhat crowded and on a small scale ; but they will be found in most 

 cases to display very clearly the parts of objects on which systematic or structural 

 characters depend, the chief design of all the illustrations of this work. With 

 regard to the engravings in the text, a portion have been selected, after 

 comparison with the objects themselves, from the excellent illustrations of the 

 Mikroskopische Anatomie of Kolliker. Most of the woodcuts of plants are careful 

 reproductions of drawings contained in original works and memoirs by 

 Kiitzing, Corda, Tulasne, Bischoff, Bruch and Schimper, and others, prepared 

 for Payer's Botanique Cryptogamique, to which, as to almost every illustration in 

 this volume, the magnifying power used has been added. Had not these beau- 

 tiful woodcuts been accessible to the publisher, it would have been impossible 

 to have provided this work so richly with illustrations. 



The Authors have much pleasure in acknowledging their obligations to the 

 Rev. M. J. Berkeley, Messrs. Westwood, W. S. Dallas, Sollitt, and Tuffen West, 

 for the loan of authentic specimens, or for information kindly afforded on various 

 subjects, and to Dr. William Francis, for constant advice and assistance during 

 the printing of the work. 



^i JOHN WILLIAM GRIFFITH. 



ARTHUR HENFREY. 



London, December 1855,^ R 



