Introduction. 
In laying the present work before 
the public, it may not be deemed 
unnecessary to say a few words on its 
scope and design; not however with 
a view of making specious promises, 
or holding out expectations never to 
be realized. Our aim is to direct the 
minds of those who may honour us 
with their patronage, to a source of 
amusement at once intellectual, ex- 
alted, delightful, and unbounded. 
We purpose to give such a repre- 
sentation of each plant as shall direct- 
ly lead to what we may call a first- 
sight acquaintance with it; also some 
account of those peculiar gualities 
which any of them may be known to 
A 
