It is proposed to issue this publication as an illustrated serial, 

 much on the same lines as the well-known Curtis' s Botanical 

 Magazine, and for imitating which no apology need be tendered. 



Should the publication be the means of stimulating further 

 interest in the study and cultivation of our indigenous plants 

 amongst the rising generation, the desire and object of its 

 promoters will be achieved. 



Living plants suitable for illustration, plants of economic 

 value, or plants of general interest, will always be gladly 

 received and welcomed by the Editor. 



As regards the illustrations the Editor has been most 

 fortunate in being able to place the work of that skilful artist, 

 Miss K. A. Lansdell, before the public, while the descriptions 

 have been prepared by Dr. E. Percy Phillips, Botanist in 

 charge of the National Herbarium, to both of whom it is 

 a pleasure to express one's special thanks for the trouble and 

 care which they have taken. 



For the information of those of our readers who have not 

 been fortunate enough to visit our country or our inland 

 capital, it may be added that the illustration on our cover 

 represents a glimpse of the magnificent Union Buildings at 

 Pretoria, under whose shadow this work is being prepared, and 

 on whose site the plants here figured are grown. 



It has been the Editor's privilege and good fortune to see 

 a comparatively bare kopje converted in the course of a few 

 years into the site of a grand and stately building surrounded 

 with many of the country's most beautiful and interesting 

 herbs and shrubs. 



The illustration depicts such characteristic plants as 

 the arborescent Aloe Marlothii, Berg. ; the handsome Aloe 

 Wickensii, Pole Evans (in the centre) ; Aloe aculeata, Pole 

 Evans ; the neat Aloe Peglerae, Schonland ; Cotyledon orbicu- 

 lata, Linn. ; Encephalartos Altensteinii, Lehm ; and some 

 arborescent euphorbias. 



Although most of the plants just mentioned are typical of 

 the vegetation of the Transvaal, an endeavour will be made in 

 our magazine to depict in each volume as far as possible an 

 equal number of floral representatives from all the Provinces. 



As the authority for colour nomenclature, Colour Standards 

 and Colour Nomenclature, by R. Ridgway, Washington, 1912, 

 has been adopted. 



I. B. POLE EVANS. 



Pretoria, 1920. 



