xii PEEFACE. 



the example of our predecessors, who have appended the Genera affinia to 

 the more strictly defined Orders. 



Nearly all the illustrative analyses are original, and founded on materials 

 accumulated during upwards of thirty years ; for all details taken from other 

 sources the authority is cited. 



Whilst thus presenting to our readers a comparative history of the 

 Orders of Plants, we make no pretensions to having monographed them ; for 

 such a task twenty volumes would not suffice, and its execution is already 

 far advanced, thanks to the many first-class works which may be consulted 

 by those who desire to investigate all the phenomena of the Vegetable King- 

 dom. We have therefore restricted ourselves, in the departments of Anatomy 

 and Physiology, to general considerations, and must refer our readers to the 

 work of Duchartre for a detailed and lucid account of the present state of 

 these two branches ; and to the ' Genera Plantarum ' of Bentham and Hooker 

 for all the elements of a complete treatise on Systematic Botany. On the 

 subject of Geographical Distribution, the remarkable work of A. de Candolle 

 contains an invaluable repertory of accurate data ; its value being enhanced 

 by philosophical disquisitions of the highest order. 



With regard to the series of portraits of Plants contained in this work, 

 it is the richest and best arranged which has hitherto appeared ; and we are 

 confident that the public will appreciate, in these faithful drawings, the 

 truthful pencils of Messrs. SteinheU and Riocreux. 



ABBREVIATIONS. 



^ Flowers with stamens and pistils (complete or hermaphrodite). 

 (J Flowers with stamens only (male or antheriferous). 

 5 Flowers with pistils only (female or pistilliferous). 

 00 Indefinite in numher. 

 m. Magnified. 

 • Before a genus, signifies that it is commonly to be found in French Botanic Gardens, &c. 

 Note. — Suh placed before another word means nearly, somewhat, scarcely,. &c. 



The words rarely, sometimes, often, mually, &c., preceding a descriptive phrase, do not apply to varia 

 tions occurring in the same species, but signify that such variations occur in different genera of the Family 

 under consideration. 



Ihe special terms used in the descriptions of Acotyledons are explained in the text as they occur. 



