ii FBEFACE, 



area ; their mclusion, therefore, in this Flora will, at any rate, prevent 

 the risk of their being altogether undealt with. 



Volume I carries the descriptions of the natural orders, genera and 

 species to the end of Campanulacece, and the second volume will 

 contain the natural orders from Plumhaginece to G-raminecBf also 

 the index to both volumes. A few remarks on the history of 

 botanical research within the area will be given in an appendix, 

 together with a brief account of the physical features of the country 

 in relation to plant distribution. References to the books consulted, 

 and my acknowledgments to all who have kindly assisted me in the 

 preparation of this Flora will also appear in the second volume. I 

 wish, however, to take the first opportunity of expressing my 

 gratitude to Sir Joseph Hooker for his unfailing kindness and 

 encouraging help during the twenty-eight years I have had the pri- 

 vilege of his friendship ; also to my friends Sir George King, late 

 Director of the Botanical Survey of India, and Dr. Prain, his successor, 

 for allowing me free access to the magnificient herbarium and library 

 in the Royal Botanic Garden at Sibpur, as wall as for nuraBrous acts 

 of kindness during my frequent visits to Calcutta. 



