PREFACE. 



history, with a copy of the notes and descriptions made 

 by Welwitsch explanatory thereof or in reference thereto, 

 on the condition of the British Museum contributing to 

 the costs of separation and transcription. These notes 

 and descriptions are largely incorporated in the Catalogue. 

 The work of separation was entrusted to Mr. Hiern, who 

 duly carried it out, and the transcription was done in this 

 Department. 



When the British Museum thus came into possession 

 of the Collection, containing so large an amount of new 

 and interesting material, it was thought desirable that a 

 Catalogue of it should be published ; and Mr. Hiern, 

 who had already become acquainted with its contents 

 while sorting and separating the specimens, undertook 

 the work. He had made considerable progress with it 

 when unforeseen circumstances compelled him to put it 

 aside, and it remained many years in abeyance. Lately, 

 however, owing to the great increase of interest in the 

 flora of the African continent, it has been thought advisable 

 that the treasures contained in so remarkable a collection 

 should be published. Mr. Carruthers brought the matter 

 again before the Trustees, and was fortunately able to 

 induce Mr. Hiern to resume his work upon the Catalogue, 

 and complete at least the Dicotyledons. These will be 

 contained in Parts I. and II., and a third and concluding 

 part will be devoted to the remaining groups— the Hepatic* 

 by Dr. F. Stephani, the Freshwater Algee by Mr. W. 

 West, and the rest by the staff of the Department of 

 Botany. 



Mr. Britten has rendered constant service in revising: 

 for the press. 



GEORGE MURRAY. 



Decemoer 1896. 



