%vith these sentiments the fiiir daughters of Air 
bion have evinced a zeal and ardour in Botani- 
cal researches which have not only done the 
the highest honor to themselves, but have 
eminently contributed to rescue these pursuits 
from unmerited reproach, to elevate them into 
reputation, and to impart to them, if not a 
superior value, at least a superior currency and 
fashion. — That such excellence should have 
been attained in this branch of science by so 
many of the female sex, notwithstanding the 
disadvantages they labour under from the want 
of scholastic and technical instruction, is a 
convincing proof of the liberality with which 
Nature has endowed the female mind : and how 
little reason there is to suppose that their intel- 
lectual are from any other cause than want of 
cultivation, in any degree inferior to their 
personal accomplishments. In the work now 
before the public, although the technical terms 
are in a great measure softened and Anglicized, 
the Author has by no means the presumption 
( like some of his more adventurous cotempo- 
raries ) to attempt to new>model the Linnxan 
System, than which for the extension of Bota- 
nical knowledge, no other oi better foundation 
can possibly be laid. — The several Universi- 
ties of Oxford and Cambridge are indebted to 
the indefatigable researches of men of eminence 
and Icarniug for the exhibition of their respec- 
tive Floras. — The present publication forms 
