By Mr. Donald Munro. 



3 



form of the fruit and colour of the flowers, although excellent marks 

 of distinction, separate varieties which are almost identical in their 

 general habit ; for this reason such characters have been admitted 

 as only of secondary importance. 



In order to render the arrangement as distinct as possible, a ta- 

 bular view has been made to precede the more detailed descriptions, 

 and I would take the liberty of recommending those who make use 

 of this report for the purpose of verifying their Pines, to consult the 

 table before having recourse to the descriptions themselves. 



The whole of the means employed in drawing up this paper have 

 been derived from notes made at the Garden during the last five 

 years upon plants and fruit, in all cases carefully and repeatedly 

 compared in every stage of their growth. 



In arranging the synonyms, published authorities have been re- 

 ferred to in all cases where they existed ; but as by far the greater 

 number of Pine-Apples are unpublished, it has necessarily resulted 

 that for a very considerable proportion of the synonyms no other 

 authority could be cited than that of English gardens. 



To Mr. James Duncan, the present Under Gardener in the 

 Forcing department, a young man of extensive practical knowledge, 

 I am much indebted for assistance in arranging and drawing up the 

 descriptions. 



In order to diminish the trouble of those who may consult this 

 Report merely with a view to the selection of the best sorts for cul- 

 tivation, short notes upon the comparative qualities of the most 

 important varieties have been inserted at the end of the Paper. 



