iv DEDICATION. 
himfelf to mimberlefs perils, and the 
repeated rifk of life itfelf, that he 
might attain higher degrees of that 
knowledge, which thefe fketches are 
intended to commemorate, in his pre- 
deceflbrs and countrymen; and as the 
refult of w^hich, he has enlarged the 
Itock of natural fcience, beyond all 
prior example ? 
That liberality, Sir, with which 
yon impart the fruit of your various 
labours, and that diftingtiifhed pa- 
tronage you fo amply afford to natu- 
ral hiftory at large, and to botanical 
fcience in particular, as they demand, 
fo have they juftly fecured to you, 
the grateful acknowledgments of all 
lovers of that fcience, and of litera- 
ture, and philofophy in general. 
I have, Sir, on this occafion only to 
regret, that my diftant fituation has 
not allowed me, in the compilation 
of thefe pages, thofe benefits which 
your moft extenfive and valuable li- 
brary would have held forth to me ; 
and 
