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BOTANY. 
INTRODUCTION. 
A" A H E following Figures are engraved from Nature. Moft of the Plants 
came over dried, as Specimens ; and they were brought to the State 
wherein they are reprefented in thefe Defigns, by Maceration in warm 
Water. The Method was this. 
The Plant was laid in a China Difh, and Water was poured upon it, nearly as 
much as the Cavity would hold ; another Difh, fomewhat fmaller, was turn’d down 
upon this, and the Edges were cemented with common Pafte fpread upon brown 
Paper. This was fet upon a Pot half full of cold Water, and placed over a gentle 
Fire. Thus after a little Time the lower Difh heats ; and the Water gradually in 
it : A few Minutes then complete the Bufinefs. The Plant, however, rumpled 
up in drying, expands and takes the natural Form it had when frefh. Even the 
minuted: Parts appear diftindfly. 
The Specimen is deftroyed by this Operation, but it fhews itfelf, for the Time, 
in full Perfection : I could have wifhed to fave fome of thefe, but they were facri- 
liced to the Work ; and I hope their Remembrance will live in the Defigns. 
This is the Hiftory of the Asiatic Plants : to which I have added fome few others, 
that ferved bed to illudrate the Sexual Svdem : and to fhew the Courfe of Nature 
in condruCting Double Flowers. Defcriptions are not needed ; lor the Figures 
fhew all the Parts didinCirly ; what thefe cannot exprefs, as the Height of the entire 
Plant, the Organs concealed within the Flowers, and the like, are added ; with fuch 
other Obfervations as appeared mod curious or ufeful. 
The Place whence I received each is fet down: and this gives a general Di- 
reCfion as to the Degree of Expofure the Plant will bear. I have not named that 
more particularly, becaufe it is not known. Experience will be the bed Guide. 
There are many which we nurfe in Green-houfes, that would bear the open 
Borders. 
The Seeds of thefe Plants came over with the Specimens ; and they are now in 
the Ground, in four remote Parts of the Kingdom, where I have Correfpondence 
with thofe who have Stoves, and have been mod fuccefsful in raifing tender Spe-’ 
cies : many mud be expeCfed to fail ; and fome lye long in the Earth ; but the 
prefent Seafon has raifed feverai of them, as will be feen in the fucceeding Chap- 
ters. 
In all thefe Places each Plant will be tried in the Stove, the Green-houfe, and 
the open Air. This Way we fhall know what each will bear : and there is no 
other. 
