viii PREFACE. 



without; and, as I have always been of opinion that good plates are in- 

 jured by colouring, I have endeavoured to procure fuch plates as need no 

 colouring; my intention in this eflay being not only to give fuch plates 

 as will bear future references, but, at the fame time, to harmonize all 

 the prefent difcordant quotations that fo often occur both in Linnaeus 

 and Hudson, and to adduce every quotation in its right place, that the 

 tyro may be no longer puzzled by contradictions ; but, on the contrary, 

 be enabled to find out his plant quick and to a certainty; for which 

 reafon I have, in all the abftrufer mints, given a difcriminating charac- 

 teriftick, to facilitate his refearch, and to prevent his remaining in doubt. 



I have nothing to add, but that I wifh this humble attempt to illuf- 

 trate the mints, may ftimulate fome abler Botanift to purfue the fubjeff, 

 and render it more compleat. Having no coadjutor to affift me, it is 

 probable there may be many errors and miftakes ; and I fhall be very 

 thankful for any communications that may be made to me, pointing 

 them out ; that, in cafe a future edition fhould be called for, I may be 

 enabled to make it more perfect; unlefs (as I hinted above) an abler 

 hand fhould take up the fubject. 



W. S. 



BATH, JULY 13, 1798. 



