INTRODUCTIOI^ OR PEEFATOEY NOTICE. 



First let it be fully understood that this pamphlet is not issued 

 with the presumptuous idea of its being superior to the hundred 

 and one similar works. The compiler has been frequently urged to 

 publish a full glossary of the terms used in botanic descriptions, and in 

 complying with this request he has aimed at combining with a glossary 

 a view of plant life in general. Thus, not only are explanations of the 

 terms used to designate the various organs or parts of plants given, but 

 some account will be found of the functions of the organs themselves. 

 In publishing works like the present in Queensland, one is under the 

 disadvantage of not being able to obtain at a cheap rate the many 

 illustration blocks which are always to be had in Europe, and a 

 number of special plates scattered through a book does not answer the 

 purpose. It is hoped, however, that the plan adopted of giving the 

 name of the plant easily obtainable upon which the particular organ 

 is prominent, or which bears the particular form, will be almost 

 as useful as the usual figure. Thus, for instance, the term 

 " Cynarrhodum" is met with, which, upon looking up the word, will be 

 'found to be a name used to designate the fruit of the Eose. Surely, 

 to walk into a garden, gather the fruit off a rose-bush, bring it in and 

 examine with the description herein given, will be far more instructive 

 than even the very best of figures. The work being a compilation 

 from every reliable source available, names of the various works and 

 authors are not given ; large use lias, however, been made of the works 

 of Bentham, Lindley, Henslow, Masters, De Bary, and Cooke, as anyone 

 conversant with their writings will observe. The whole object of 

 the writer has been to try and smooth the way to a knowledge of 

 botanical nomenclature. It is hoped for this publication, besides being 

 a handy reference book upon botanical subjects, and thus most useful 

 to the student of that science when he may be so situated as not to be 

 able to refer to a scientific library, that from the many notices which 

 will be found scattered through the book upon other matters peculiar to 

 plant life and cultivation, the work will be found also useful to the 

 amateur cultivators of plants generally. This will explain why para- 

 graphs are admitted which can scarcely be called botanical. 



To obtain a concise view of a whole plant, the following must be 

 the mode of observation : — First, observe whether — 

 The Boot is fibrous, bulbous, tuberous, &c. 

 The Stem is erect, climbing, prostrate, &c. ; also its size and 



arrangement of its branches, &c. 

 The Leaves are persistent or deciduous, opposite, verticillate, 



or alternate, simple, pinnate, or how otherwise divided, 



hairy or smooth ; the margins as to whether entire or 



toothletted, if stalked or stalkless. 

 The Petiole (Leafstalk) is long or short, slender, stout, or 



winged. 

 The Stipules, if any ; their position, insertion, figure, texture, 



&c. 



