viii PREFACE. 
concerning which more accurate information is requisite 
are distinguished in a similar manner. A very concise 
Synopsis of the genera, according to the Linnasan method, 
is given for the convenience of those botanists who may 
not be quite familiar with the Natural Orders. 
Dr. Lindley's valuable Introduction to the Nat. Syst. of 
Botany being accessible to nearly all the readers of this 
little work, it has not been considered advisable to intro- 
duce detailed descriptions of the Orders ; but in the pre- 
paration of the short distinctive characters the author has 
availed himself of that work, of Dr. Arnott's elaborate 
treatise contained in the Encyclop. Britan. (ed. *J. vol. v. 
pp. 30-141 ), of Endlichers Genera Plantarum and Koch's 
Synopsis Flora Germanicce. To the latter work, which 
may be considered as the model of the present publication, 
he has pleasure in acknowledging himself to be peculiarly 
indebted, and Leighton's excellent Flora of Shropshire has 
supplied much valuable information. 
To his friends Prof. Balfour of Glasgow and D. Moore, 
Esq. of the Glasneven Botanical Garden at Dublin, he is 
under very great obligation for their kindness in supplying 
him with complete Catalogues of the Floras of Scotland 
and Ireland respectively ; and to them, to W. Borrer, Esq., 
E. Forster, Esq., Prof. Henslow, the Rev. W. A. Leighton, 
and his other botanical friends and correspondents too 
numerous to record here, he takes this opportunity of re- 
turning most sincere thanks for the great assistance that 
they have rendered to him by the communication of valu- 
able suggestions, observations, and specimens. 
It is hoped that those who use this book will favour the 
author with information of any (even the slightest) addi- 
tion, correction or alteration that may appear to be neces- 
sary, in order that it may be employed in the preparation 
of a future edition, as it is only through such assistance 
that the Flora of an extensive country can attain to even a 
moderate degree of perfection. 
St. John's College, Cambridge* 
May 1, 1843. 
