I.—_INTRODUCTION. 5 
list will involve, ipso facto, the repetition of a considerable number 
of species already dealt with in the Bengal list, the answer is that 
this will ensure that no species shall drop out of both lists, a con- 
tingency that might easily occur in the case of any species found 
only on or near the arbitrary boundary line which must otherwise 
be drawn between the one area and the other. 
When the question of boundary delimitation has been satisfac- 
torily gestions fe compiler of a local Flora finds himself face to 
w and almost equally formidable difficulty. 
collections on = ebiah the Flora of British India is based have 
been sufficiently extensive to permit of a general review of the 
vegetation of the Indian Empire, and are ample enough to allow 
of a special study of the characteristic features presented by the 
various natural subordinate areas. It is, however, found, when a 
definite tract is examined in detail, that we possess, as a rule, too 
limited a knowledge of its vegetation to admit of the compilation 
of a complete and reliable account of its flora. In the case of the 
Lower Provinces, while it may be assumed that our knowledge of 
the plants of the Eatigesic Plain, and perhaps also of the Sundribuns, 
is fairly complete, and may even be taken for granted that, though 
we do not know all, we know the majority of the species of Behar, 
Chota Nagpur, and Chittagong, it is certain that our knowledge of 
the flora of Northern Tirhut and of that portion of North Bengal 
which constitutes the Duars leaves much to be desired, and that of 
the vegetation of the hilly portions of Tippera and Orissa we know 
no more than is necessary to enable us to appreciate our ignorance. 
The time for the preparation of a complete Local Flora of the Lower 
Provinces has not yet come; much special work is still called for 
in many of the more outlying districts. Yet something must be 
done, if the attention and interest of those capable of rendering 
the necessary assistance is to be invoked. What under the cir- 
cumstances seems the best measure to adopt is toi issue a i 
list or census of the plants within our area. This list is based on 
of such a list goes a very short way end assisting those inter- 
B 
