PREFACE. 
Vll 
but because I know how troublesome and difficult it 
is for the tyro, in the commencement of his studies, 
to search through numerous works for a description 
of the method of preparation, which he may chance 
to need at the time. Here at least I can promise 
him, that he will find the most important facts con- 
tained in nuce , to the saving of both his time and 
patience. And this is the more necessary, because a 
novice’s library is not usually too well stocked with 
books of reference ; and, besides, he is not always in a 
situation to consult larger and more important works, 
bearing on the subjects treated of here. 
Therefore I launch this little volume into the 
world, with the earnest wish that its perusal may be 
of service in lightening the labours and smoothing 
the path of more than one self-taught botanist. 
Joh. Nave. 
The reader will observe, that the chapters into which 
the book is divided, are of very unequal proportions, 
and that the greatest prominence is given to the Algae, 
which occupy quite one-half of the whole work. This 
is owing to the extraordinary variety of form and 
habit, which characterises this family, calling fo.i 
numerous descriptions of methods of preparation j. 
which need not to be repeated. 
J. N. 
