PREFACE. 



in all parts of the United Kingdom. This is now becoming 

 too apparent to be doubted, and is especially evinced in the 

 organization of provincial Horticultural Associations in every 

 direction, which will undoubtedly produce in detail the same 

 fortunate results within their own districts, as the Parent 

 Society has been enabled to secure by its influence generally. 

 With this impression, and from an anxious desire to hold out 

 assistance and countenance to the efforts of all such bodies, 

 wherever they may exist, the Council of this Society has 

 lately determined to give annually to each local Horticultural 

 Society whose affairs are directed by a President and Council, 

 or Committee, one of their large Silver Medals, to be awarded 

 by the local Society to some one individual in their own 

 district, whose skill in Gardening shall appear to them to be 

 most deserving of the distinction. 



In the Preface to the Fifth Volume, it was announced that 

 two Expeditions for the Collection of Plants were in progress 

 at the expence of the Society ; one to the Western Coast of 

 South America, and the Sandwich Islands, and the other to 

 the North West Coast of North America. 



To the former of these Mr. James M'Rae, an experienced 

 Gardener, was appointed, with the consent of the Lords of 

 the Admiralty. He sailed in September 1824, and returned 

 in March 1826, having successively visited Rio Janeiro, and 

 St. Catherine's in Brazil, several ports on the coast of Chile, 

 and the Sandwich Islands. On his return he landed upon 

 Albemarle Island, one of the Gallipagos, touched at Chorillo 



