. P R E I A C E. 
If this defcription of the Botanift be a 
true one, it manifeftly excludes a number 
of frivolous pretenders ; the fcience itfelf 
rifes in importance, and admits of great di- 
verfity of employment, to the tafte, the ta- 
lents, and learning of thofe who diredl their 
attention to it. Whilft then it is the pro- 
vince of fome to inveftigate new fubjedis, 
to afcertain thofe imperfedly known, and 
to record the various improvements and dif- 
coveries of the day, let it be that of others, 
to do juftice to departed merit, to recall the 
fcattered remembrances of the lives, and hold 
out the example of thofe who have labour-* 
ed in the fame field before them. 
In tracing the progrefs of human know-* 
ledge through its feveral gradations of im-. 
provement, it is fcarcely poffible for an in- 
quifj tive and liberal mind, of congenial tafte, 
not to feel an ardent wifh of information 
relating to thofe perfons by whom fuch im- 
provements have feverally been given : and 
hence arifes that interefting fympa^thy which 
almoft infeparably connedts biography with 
the hiftory of each refpeftive branch of 
knowledgCi 
In 
