INTRODUCTION. 



7 



deserving to be, and others only known in herbaria, but whose introduction 

 is much to be desired, will also be included, in the fervent hope that a 

 description of them may not only stimulate the cultivation of those sorts we 

 already possess, but also eventually dead to the successful importation of other 

 scarce and beautiful species and varieties. 



Finally, that the book may be as complete as possible in every way, 

 neither trouble nor expense has been spared to enrich it with numerous 

 illustrations, all the more reliable on account of their having been drawn 

 from living subjects. 



