xcii INTEODLX^TION 



Y. THE COUNTY RECORDS. 



General explanations. — In the succeeding pages, under each of 

 the rarer species a Hst is given of the divisions in which it is known 

 to occur. In the notes which follow the name of each division, 

 an attempt is made to combine a definite record, on which the 

 inclusion of the plant in the county-flora may be based, with such 

 further information as is available regarding the frequency and 

 distribution of the species in the division. In the case of those 

 divisions of which the flora is well known (or, what comes to the 

 same thing, in the case of the plants the distribution of which in 

 the divisions is well known), the plan followed is to give (1) the 

 latest localized and dated record, with authority ; and (2) a brief 

 indication of the frequency or distribution of the species in the 

 division. Where the information concerning both points is drawn 

 from the same source these two notes are usually combined. In 

 a large number of cases our knowledge of plant-distribution in the 

 divisions is not sufficient to warrant generalizations such as " fre- 

 quent," " rare," " confined to the north," and so on. In such 

 instances all the stations which are known are given, or else an in- 

 dication of where they will be found, as material towards the fuller 

 knowledge which will eventually aUow of such generalizations 

 being made, when the county-floras shall have been better worked 

 out. Where these additional stations are, some of them published, 

 others unpublished, and where space does not permit of the full 

 citing of authorities, fuller information is given regarding the latter, 

 as the source of, and authority for, the former is easily discoverable 

 from " Cybele" or elsewhere. In all cases, the object is to convey 

 the fullest and latest information possible within the very narrow 

 limits available — generally three-quarters of a line of type. 



In the consistent use of latest records, this work exhibits a de- 

 parture from the practice usually followed in Floras, and other 

 treatises on local plant-distribution. In the present case, the whole 

 object is to exhibit a view of the flora of Ireland as it is ; to give a 

 present-day census of the plants of the country. This being so, 

 where one localized and authenticated record has to be selected, the 

 late'it is clearly the one which should have preference. The objec- 



