VI PREFACE. 



Several Botanical Authors have been consulted : but 

 in the amalgamation of materials, it was found almost 

 impossible to refer every obligation to its respective 

 claimant. The well-read Botanist will, however, easily 

 perceive, that the descriptions and various observations 

 are principally drawn from the classical works of Linnaeus, 

 Sir James Edward Smith, Willdenow, Curtis, Withering, 

 Hooker, and Greville ; with such additions, or alterations, 

 as the compiler deemed suitable to the plan, and execution 

 of a work, intended chiefly for the English reader. The 

 plain, botanical language here adopted, is, for the most 

 part, that of Berkenhout, Martyn, Withering, and Sir 

 James Edward Smith. 



Throughout the volume, the Linnsean system has been 

 chiefly kept in view. All Botanists are, I believe, agreed, 

 that this artificial arrangement is most convenient for dis- 

 covering the name of a plant, and I think that, notwith- 

 standing its imperfections, the Linnsean system cannot, in 

 the present state of science, be advantageously discarded. 

 For, it will, in most cases, conduct the student to the re- 

 quired name of the plant ; which name being obtained, 

 the Student may be referred to a description and enuclea- 

 tion of the Natural Order, or Group, in which the plant 

 is arranged by Jussieu, or by some one of his followers. 

 The Natural System of Botany thus studied, in connexion 

 with the Linnsean, will enable those persons, who are de- 

 sirous of examining the natural affinities of plants, to 

 acquire such knowledge, in a comparatively easy method. 

 We lay considerable stress on the point of facility, in the 

 acquisition of this branch of knowledge in regard to the 

 affinities of plants, because the leisure and inclination of 



