DISSERTATION concluded. 
Avr the commencement of this Monograph the extent of this elegant tribe of 
plants appeared to be circumscribed within a small compass, and we calculated 
upon one volume enshrining the whole Genus. The termination of that vo- 
lume left a residuum of sufficient magnitude to complete a second, at whose ter- 
mination an ample fund for continuation was still apparent. A third is finished ; 
and there yet remains enough to form a fourth, the conclusion of which will, 
we think, contain all that are as yet in cultivation with us, as the limits of this 
extensive family appear at present to be bounded within three hundred species 
and distinct varieties ; and unless some new source should be found to extend 
it, by the discovery of some unexpected mine of novelty, it may be then con- 
sidered as for a time completed ; although, no doubt, from the beautiful va- 
riations occasionally raised from seed, there will be still further accessions of 
novelty to merit attention at some future period, by way of appendix. 
When the author first began to delineate the Erica family in the year 1794, 
the greater part of the species then known had been so recently imported, that 
the seeds did not ripen with us. A period of fifteen years having since elapsed, 
many of them have become so far naturalized as to perfect their seed freely. 
The prevalent idea of their not ripening with us is owing to a want of sufti- 
cient attention to preserve them ; for, as soon as the seeds are perfect, if not 
immediately collected, the capsule splits, and the seeds, which are extremely 
small, escape unperceived. 
The fourth volume will contain, in addition to each figure, a short account of 
who first raised it, &c., and at the end of the volume (which the author trusts 
will be completed in much less time than the foregoing ones) all the seeds that 
can possibly be procured will be represented, both of the natural size and 
magnified, to render the work as complete as the progressive increase of the 
vegetable kingdom will possibly admit of. 
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