LATE JAMES LEE. 



xiii 



new edition, are considerably improved. We need not 

 here enter widely into the merits of. this work, which 

 has gone through several editions, and is generally 

 the first book that the botanist purchases ; and has 

 laid the foundation of the knowledge of Botany, 

 which principally exists at this day. 



Other introductions possess also considerable merit. 

 The learned President of the Linnoean Society has 

 favoured the world with one that surpasses, from its 

 clearness and elegance, all power of praise, but still 

 they want Tables; and, lam persuaded, this will ever 

 hold its rank, as a popular Introduction, and even 

 attract more purchasers, from this very consideration 

 of the many useful Tables it contains. 



The " Elements of Botany" by Rose, which is a 

 more direct translation of the u PhilosophiaBotanica" 

 of Linnjeus, possessing the same order, though de- 

 servedly recommended, has fallen into general disuse 

 from this very cause, and so we may predict of all 

 the other elementary books on the science of Botany. 



But, to return to the subject of our memoir. The 

 great Linnaeus felt no jealousy at the manner Lee 

 had adopted to diffuse Botany amongst his country- 

 men; but, on the contrary, in testimony to his 

 knowledge, named a new plant after him, Leea. 



