INTRODUCTION. 



1 



with existing engravings and descriptions ; but we have also in 

 part relied on the identifications of other botanists.* 



In giving the synonymes, we have adopted the same rule as in 

 giving the identifications. 



Though we have used every exertion in our power to render 

 this Work as correct, in a botanical and technical point of view, 

 as possible, yet what we consider to be its great practical value 

 (and that which will contribute more than any other cause to the 

 main end which we have in view, viz. that of diffusing a taste 

 for planting collections of trees and shrubs,) is, that we have 

 described scarcely any tree or shrub which we have not seen 

 ourselves, in a living state, within ten miles of London. Some 

 exceptions are necessarily introduced ; but, whenever this is done, 

 it is either indicated by the paragraph relating to that tree or 

 shrub being in very small type ; or, by our indicating in words, 

 or by some other means, that we have not seen the plant. 



The shrubs, as far as practicable, we shall illustrate by en- 

 gravings of botanical specimens, to be given along with the text ; 

 and all these will be to one and the same scale, of 2 in. to 1 ft. 

 Engravings of the trees will be chiefly given in 8vo or 4to 

 plates, apart from the text ; and each of these plates will con- 

 tain a pictorial portrait of the tree, and a botanical specimen. 

 The pictorial portraits will be of two kinds : first, portraits of 

 trees which have been planted ten or twelve years within ten 

 miles of London, all to the same scale ; and, secondly, portraits 

 of full-grown trees, chiefly within the same limits, all to another 

 scale.f The use of the first class of portraits is, to show, at a 

 single glance, the comparative bulk which different trees attain 

 in a given climate in a given period ; as well as to indicate how 

 far different kinds of trees, at this early age, show anything 

 characteristic in their shape. The portraits of the full-grown 

 trees, it is almost unnecessary to observe, are given in order to 

 exhibit their ultimate magnitude and character. By merely 

 glancing over these portraits, a planter will see at once, first, the 

 effect which any given tree, purchasable in British nurseries, 

 will produce at ten years' growth ; and, secondly, what its ap- 

 pearance will be when it has arrived at its average size. 



It will be found that in this Work we have, in various instances, 

 reduced the number of species, and even, in some cases, of va- 



* For example, in the case of the very first species described. Clematis 

 Flammula, having convinced ourselves that our plant was that described by 

 De CandoUe {Prod., vol, i. p. 2.), we have not hesitated to give the identifi- 

 cations and synonymes quoted by that emuient author; adding, however, the 

 identifications and synonymes of subsequent authors from our own exami- 

 nation of their works. In the plant referred to we have added to the iden- 

 tifications of De CandoUe, Hayne's Dendrologia and Don's Miller. 



f See the Explanatory References, which precede the Table of Contents. 



