ji PREFACE. 
plates. They are small, for the sake of economy, and are intended 
chiefly to indicate the habit of the plants, while the magnified parts 
show their detail. They might have been finer as works ol art ; 
but, had they been executed by an engraver, minute as they are, they 
would perhaps have been less botanically accurate, as the smallest 
variation in many of them would materially have altered their charac- 
ter ; and therefore, although a first and an untutored attempt at 
etching, I have preferred executing them myself, especially as by so 
doing I should save a large expeuce, perhaps not to be refunded 
by the sale of the work. The plate of Genera is a new feature in 
illustration, and it is hoped a uselul one. 
In the record and detail of species, the following order is ob- 
served : — First, the Latin and English name, and reference to 
figure ; secondly, those essential characters which alone are neces- 
sary for discriminating the species, and which alone the true botanist 
will f,nd it convenient to consult. The Synonymes and references 
to figures in other works which follow, give a history ol the plant, 
and enable the student to refer elsewhere if in doubt. The Descrip- 
tion may be considered collateral evidence, while the remaining 
parts will show him the varieties to which his plant is subject, the 
cause of them, its particular and general distribution, and the pe- 
culiarities attached to it. 
In the part of the work which treats of the Genera, the reader 
will find, first, the derivation of the Genus, and a concise account of 
its general characteristics, and under it the arrangement ol the 
species, according to their obvious distinctions. 
In the Essential Characters of the different species, as few words 
as possible have been used, and those few pure and scientific. In 
The Synonymes, which go back to the time of Linnaeus (or in some 
few instances a little before), the names ol authors only are given, 
unless they have called a plant by different names in different 
of their works, when the works themselves are also specified. In 
the descriptive part, and discriminating remarks which follow it, 
pure scientific detail has not been so much aimed at as ob\ ious 
differences and popular observations. The habitats have been col- 
lected from every authentic source which was attainable by me; 
a vast number will be found which have not been recorded beloie, 
and those few which are contained in previous publications, have 
most of them been lately authenticated. 
Information of this varied and local kind cannot, of course, be 
expected from any one's unassisted labours ; 1 have therefore had 
recourse in the latter part to the assistance ol friends, and I cannot 
