eee So 
PREFACE. 
Ir was considered advisable to commence the continuation 
of the Flora Capensis with Volume VI., which was almost 
exclusively devoted to the orders which furnish what are 
familiarly known as “Cape Bulbs.” These are perhaps now 
more largely cultivated in Europe than any other South 
African plants, and a systematic description of the species 
it was felt would meet a long-acknowledged want. 
Several considerations suggested the desirability of next 
attacking the seventh and concluding volume of the work in 
advance of the fourth and fifth, which are still unpublished. 
What perhaps more weighed with me is the fact that the 
orders contained in it admittedly present more difficulties 
than are likely to be encountered in any other part of the 
work. It has, however, been my good fortune to be able to 
enlist the aid of contributors who, in each case, have had the 
advantage of a special previous study of the groups they have 
undertaken. 
Amongst these I must enumerate :—Artaur Bennett, Esq., 
F.L.S., who has particularly devoted his attention to the 
Naiadacexe ; Dr. Masrms, F.R.S., who is an acknowledged 
authority on the Restiacexr ; C. B. Crarxe, Hsq., F.R.S., who 
has long been occupied with a comprehensive memoir on the 
Cyperacex ; and finally Dr. Starr, A.L.S., who had previously 
collaborated with Sir Joszrx Hooker in preparing the 
Graminexe for the Flora of British India. The latter order 
occupies more than half the volume, and this portion of it at 
least will, I trust, be found of especial usefulness in a country 
which is largely pastoral. 
For the limits of the regions under which the localities 
in which the species have been found to occur are cited, 
reference may be made to the preface to Volume VI. 
I have again to acknowledge the assistance I have received 
from Mr. C, H. Wricut, A.L.S., and Mr. N. E. Brown, A.L.S., 
Assistants in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, 
