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PREFACE. 
The present Hand-list might properly have formed 
part of that of the “ Trees and Shrubs grown in the 
Arboretum,” but so many persons possess collections 
of Conifers who are not interested in other ligneous 
plants that there was an obvious convenience in treating 
them separately. There was the further advantage that 
this enabled the species which are grown under glass to 
be included. The natural order, or rather group, Coniferce, 
is so well defined that it is desirable to enumerate in one 
list all the species actually in cultivation at Kew. 
The present Hand-list comprises 227 species, with 
340 varieties, belonging to 37 genera. 
Sir Joseph Hooker, the late Dii’ector of the Royal 
Gardens, had contemplated the preparation of a Catalogue 
of the Kew Pinetum. In view of it he had drawn up 
a brief review of the literature of the subject, which he 
Las now, after revision, kindly permitted to be used. 
p “ In the following list the species are referred to the 
* genera under which they have been placed by the latest 
authorities, who have revised the Order Coniferce. 
That such an authoritative list should be published is the 
wish of all intelligent cultivators of these interesting 
plants, and its publication in this country is rendered all 
the more needful from the fact that British cultivators 
alone persist in referring the Silver Firs to Picea, and the 
u 90042. 1000.— 3/96. Wt. 18719. A 2 
