iv 
PREFACE. 
figures of the plants themselves ; as a grass for a grass^ a bulb for a bulb^ a plant 
floating on water for an aquatic^ &c. &c., to recoUect which requires no exertion 
of memory. A perennial is indicated by a triangle,, instead of the old sign, % ; 
an annual remains a circle as before, O, because among other reasons gardeners 
sow patches of annual flowers in circles ; and a biennial is a double circle, o, instead 
of the old sign, S - The bark stove is a square, □ ; the dry stove three sides of a 
square, Z] ; the green-house two and a half sides of a square, i_J ; and the frame two 
sides of a square, |. By combining the signs of duration with habitation, 
ca S] m! OJ, &c. &c., much room is saved in abridged botanical description. Thus 
in consequence of the single innovation of the triangle and the square, wie have 
simplified and extended the power of indicating the habits and habitations of 
plants by signs from ten, the usual number in the most complete botanical cata- 
logues, to forty, the number employed in this work. 
It is usual, in hotanical works enumerating genera and species, to give an 
Appendix containing the additions discovered or made since the book began to be 
printed. An Appendix to this Encyclopedia may possibly appear at some future 
period ; but, in the mean time, the Hortus Britannicus, by the same Editor, which 
contains an enumeration brought down to the end of the year 1828, will serve 
every purpose of an Appendix, and, in so far as it embraces some reformations in 
the genera, will be found superior to any Appendix that could be made. 
No farther explanation of the nature and uses of this work appearing necessary, 
it only remains to present the thanks of the Proprietors and of the Editor to 
Aylmer Boubke Lambert, Esq. F. R. S. V.P.L.S. F.G.S. &c., for allowing 
Mr. SowERBY the freest use of his rich botanical library and extensive herbarium, 
for the selection of subjects to be engraved; and to David Don, Esq. Lib.L.S., 
Mr. Lambert's librarian, for his unremitted and unwearied exertions, during 
upwards of seven years, to facilitate the labours of Mr. Sowerby. To Robert 
Brown, Esq. F. R, S. V. P. L. S. &c. ; to the Council of the Linnean Society ; 
and, again, to David Don, Esq., in his capacity of librarian to the Linnean 
Society, the Proprietors are much indebted for similar services ; and they beg leave 
to thank, in a very particular manner, Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney, for original 
drawings of many species, made from living plants in their unrivalled collection 
of exotics. Without the Herbarium of Mr. Lambert, and the Hot-houses of 
Messrs. Loddiges, this work could not have been produced. 
It remains only for the Editor to state, that the botanical merits of this 
publication belong entirely to Professor Lindley, F.R.S. L.S. G.S. &c., and 
J. D. C. Sowerby, Esq. F. L.S. &c. The former determined the genera and the 
number of species to be arranged under them ; prepared the specific characters, 
derivations, and accentuations; he either wrote or examined the notes; and he 
corrected the whole while passing through the press : the latter, assisted by Mr. 
Don and Messrs. Loddiges, sought out the figures, dried specimens, or living 
plants, necessary for illustration, and made drawings of them on the blocks to be 
engraved, in that accurate and scientific manner, and with that appropriate taste, 
for which his late father was long so much distinguished, and for which he 
himself has not yet been equalled in this or in any country. All that the Editor 
can deem to be his own is the plan of the work ; and if this be found not to 
have failed in answering those expectations which the state of science, in botany 
and the compilation of books, might have warranted in 1822, when this work was 
commenced, he will have obtained aU the approbation to which he is entitled. 
J. c. L. 
Bayswater, May, 1829. 
