VI 
PREFACE. 
this attempt he will he condemned by the learned 
for having entered into needless details, while 
to those who are wholly unacquainted with the 
leading principles of botanical science he may 
not have rendered his meaning sufficiently clear. 
He has, however, done his best, and can only 
say in the oft-quoted words of the poet — 
f6 Si quid noyisti rectius istis, 
Candidus imperti; si non, — his utere mecum.” 
A grateful task remains. To the Messrs. Lod- 
diges, who may most justly be styled e( Hortu- 
lanorum Principes,” the thanks of the Author 
are most especially due. Prom, the very com- 
mencement of his inquiries their splendid stores 
were placed unreservedly at his disposal, and 
without their kind assistance it would have been 
difficult for him to have carried on his experi- 
ments. He begs likewise to record his obligations 
to Mr. Aiton, Sir W. J. Hooker, and Mr. Smith, 
of Kew ; to his old friend Mr. Anderson, of the 
Chelsea Botanic Garden ; to Dr. Bindley, of the 
Horticultural Society’s Garden ; to Mr. Macnab, 
of Edinburgh ; Mr. Mackay, of Dublin ; Mr. 
Cameron, of Birmingham ; and to various other 
friends, for numerous specimens of interesting 
plants received from them at different times for 
the purposes of experiment. 
Wellclose Square, March, 1842. 
