vi PREFATORY 
budding orator was constrained to overhear, when 
observed to be poring a little too attentively over 
the notes in his hat lining. But be that as it may, 
we think with those who think it’s better to recall 
from notes, than never to recall at all. 
I have the key part of this book transcribed in 
pocket form. It has been an added interest to me, 
"as a visitant to Kew, or a pedestrian in Pinetums, to 
have a reference book, something in the shape of a 
Ready Recognizer, at hand to verify conjectures; 
and in the same way, and under similar circumstances, 
I hope this idea may be found capable of being car- 
ried out by others, and that it may prove of the same 
use as it has been to me on such a visit. You cannot 
—it is too heavy a strain—stow,away in the recesses 
of your coat pocket volumes of Frees of Great Britain 
(Elwes and Henry). On such occasions, Bean (Trees 
and Shrubs), though smaller, would be an uncarry- 
able load; Veitch’s Book of Conifers a prohibitive 
encumbrance; Clinton Baker’s volumes, if nicely 
bound, a sheer impossibility. If you are able to 
store up all their definitions in your head, and out- 
pour them at will at the psychological moment, all 
well and good; there would be no need of a pocket 
edition of ‘‘ What’s what in Conifers,’’ or any other 
such cold comforts of the kind, and which abridged 
editions are wont to confer. It is for those not able 
to accomplish this kind of carrying trade to their own 
satisfaction that I plead justification for this effort— 
and fearlessly I own—collected from the writings of 
those at whose feet I would sit, and gladly have sat, 
and among them are some ‘who. shall be nameless, 
but whom I shall ever [deem it a privilege to have 
known in the flesh.. I make no apology for repro- 
ducing, even in exact.words, on occasions throughout 
these Identifying Tables, the written. writings of 
authors of mighty works and of monumental fame.. 
