PREFACE. 



IX 



new sources of interest. This, then, should be the aim of 

 those who cultivate plants, more particularly in a green- 

 house, as leading naturally to a more perfect intimacy with 

 each individual ; and it is to facilitate this study of plants, 

 rather than to excite admiration of their outward forms, 

 that a botanical character has been given to this little 

 Work, and the peculiarities of structure, together with the 

 Classes, Orders, and Genera annexed, so as to aid in the 

 inquiry, and encourage the student to become thoroughly 

 acquainted with the favourites of the garden and con- 

 servatory. 



To those Amateurs whose taste does not lead them to 

 study Botany, this Work will not be the less useful as an 

 aid to the cultivation of their greenhouse favourites ; for 

 the scientific part may be omitted altogether, without de- 

 stroying its utility as a Gardener's Manual. 



The descriptions of the Orders and Genera are derived 

 from Dr. Lindley's ' Vegetable Kingdom ' and Loudon's 

 ' Encyclopaedia of Plants/ 

 Nice, 1857. 



b 



