ADDRESS. 
In his endeavours to illustrate this brilliant and extended tribe of plants, the author thinks it neces¬ 
sary to premise, by way of deprecating the opinion of the Public on this part of his labours; 
that, as all his drawings are taken from cultivated plants, some of them may thence appear less 
picturesque, than if he indulged his fancy in their design; or more fortunately, have enjoyed the 
opportunity of copying them on the soil where nature has placed them indigenous: But, as the 
latter never was within his poAver; he would rather stand convicted of apparent want of taste, in 
the execution of a work where ornament should give way to science, than be taxed with having- 
varied from a just representation of the plant, as it must meet the eye of the British Botanist. 
Numerous and beautiful as are the specimens of this Genus, in the splendid herbariums of Sir 
J. Banks, Bart. P. R. S. &c.; G. Hibbert, Esq. ; A. B. Lambert, Esq. &c. &c.; yet, as the dried 
plant exhibits so very different an appearance, from the living one, in every character necessary for 
a perfect drawing, but particularly in the blossoms; no advantage can be taken, to ornament, or 
add to, the present undertaking, from them; unless, by comparison, to determine some species, 
which have been described by those Botanists who have named them at the Cape of Good Hope. 
Since, therefore, the original intent of this work, was, (and in its progress we have found no 
reason to alter the plan,) to give figures of those species of Heaths, only, which are actually culti¬ 
vated in the different collections of this country: so, whatever may be imputed to want of freedom 
in the pencil of the artist, it is hoped, will be covered by this reflection; that he has invariably 
copied nature, though in a formal dress, without assuming the general licence of the painter. In 
pursuing the Botanical part of the work, he has endeavoured to give the specific names which are in 
general use in Britain, where the plant is commonly known in our gardens, in preference to any, 
published by either foreign or English Botanists which have not that character. Where the plant 
is new with us, but has a published, and received name among Botanists, he has invariably adopted 
it; but where none could be traced, to the best of his judgment, he has given it, then only, an 
appropriate title. A few alterations from the original plan, arising from the inundation of new 
species since the commencement of the work, it will be necessary briefly to state. He had at first 
arranged the whole of the Genus, then known, from the method given by Linnaeus, under two 
general heads, Bearded and Beardless tips; but, from the numbers now in our possession, which 
cannot, with any propriety, be placed under either head, he has been induced to alter it; and has 
formed them, under five of the most ostensible, and general characters of the same parts. Thus, 
1st, bearded, where the tips are simple, and awned at the base; 2d, crested when the tips are ter¬ 
minated by a curved like feather; 3d, two-horned, when the termination of the tip is thrown inward, 
and the parts quite smooth; 4th, beardless, where no protuberant part is seen, the tips of an oblong- 
form, and fixed by their backs to the threads; 3th, pencilled, where no apparent division, but from 
colour, is perceiveable in the Chives, which protrude considerably beyond the blossom. Eor the 
accommodation of those who wish to know what Synonims are attached to our figures, a statement 
is given, of those most worthy notice; under the names of the various authors from whence they 
are collated. These we have confined to six of the most modern; from whose works, if farther 
research may be thought necessary, a longer list may be obtained. As it is but bare justice to 
make acknowledgment for favours received; what remains for the author is to mention with grati¬ 
tude, at least, the persons, from whose kind indulgence in the free use of their collections, he has 
chiefly drawn his resources. 
G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham Common, Surrey. 
The Honourable Marquis of Blandford, White Knights, Berkshire. 
Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Nurserymen, Hammersmith, Middlesex. 
The late Lady Archer, Ham Common, Surrey. 
The Honourable William Henry Irby, Farnham Royal, Berks. 
The late J. Robertson, Stockwell, Surrey. 
J. Verb, Esq. Kensington Gore, Middlesex. 
