PREFACE.' Xlli 
arranged all their fynonyms, at large, under 
each plant, in chronological order. To 
fuch a work the following Jketches^ in a 
fomewhat more contradled form, were in- 
tended as an introdudion. In the mean 
time, if more important avocations had not, 
the want of neceffary affiftance from books, 
would probably have flopped the progrefs 
of a plan of fuch extent. Although this 
purpofe was relinquiilied, yet, as the mate- 
rials were coUeded, and this part of the 
defign was independent of the other, I flat- 
tered myfelf, that, having made fome al- 
terations, and enlarged the whole, under fo 
total a want of any fimilar work, thefe anec-> 
dotes might afford inform^ation to young 
Botanifts, and poflibly fome amufement to 
thofe of more advanced knowledge in the 
fcience. 
Although botanical writings are the prin- 
cipal objeds of thefe pages, yet, as feveral 
of thefe authors were confpicuous for their 
various attainments in different branches of 
literature, their other purfuits and publica- 
tions, where my refources have afforded 
opportunity, have occafionally been recited ; 
and 
