v 
first introduced into cultivation the merit of many new garden 
plants depends solely on their foliage. Their true botanical 
affinities cannot be ascertained till they flower, and in some cases 
many years may elapse before this takes place. A striking 
instance is afforded by Talisia Princeps, now known to belong to 
Sapindacee ; it had previously passed in gardens under the names 
of Theophrasta pinnata (Myrsinacee) and Brownea Princeps and 
B. erecta (Leguminosz). 
Where definite botanical determinations are possible, or 
synonymous names exist, these are given in square brackets. 
Only names are cited which agree in form, at any rate, with the 
usual Latin binominal nomenclature. The personal authority 
for such names has, however, been uniformly omitted, as it 
was found in too many cases impossible to assign it with 
certainty. 
The reference given is to the publication in which the plant is 
first described or figured ; to this is added, when available, a 
reference which supplies further information. The natural order 
is given in the case of the first species cited of each genus. This 
is followed by abbreviations intended to indicate the appropriate 
cultural conditions. A brief notice of the habit and most striking 
points of each plant is given; but it has not been considered 
necessary to attempt botanical descriptions. But a description of 
hybrids of garden origin and of mere garden varieties is not 
given, as otherwise the list would exceed the limits within 
which it is necessary to confine it. The native country is added 
at the end. 
The total number of plants catalogued for the 21 years, which 
is covered, amounts to 7,600. The majority of the actually new 
plants included have been derived from the United States of 
Colombia, the Malayan Region, and the Polynesian Islands, all 
areas known to be rich in species and still imperfectly explored 
botanically. 
The orders most largely represented are all Monocotyledonous ; 
they are Orchidaceae, Liliacee, and Aracee. This is, however, 
only significant as representing the present drift of horticultural 
taste. The two first are especially popular in the British Isles for 
the sake of their flowers, and the latter on the Continent for their 
foliage. 
