PRE FA C E. 
IN the enlightened ages of Greece and 
Rome, and under the moft flourifhing 
ftate of Arabian literature, Botany, as a 
fcience, had no exiftence. Nor was it till 
fome time after the revival of learning, that 
thofe combinations and diftindlions were 
effeitually difcovered, which, in the end, by 
giving rife to fyftem, have raifed the ftudy 
of plants, to that rank it holds at prefent 
in the fcale of knowledge. 
If in the contemplation of flowers, man- 
kind at large, have in every age placed one 
of their purefl pleafures, how greatly mull: 
thefe delights be enhanced to the enamoured 
votary of Botanical Knowledge ! who, whilll 
he furveys that wonderfully varied elegance 
and beauty, which charm the eye of all, 
penetrates ftill farther, and at the fame in- 
ilant^ difcerns alfo, thofe analogies and dif- 
A 4 criminations. 
