PREFACE. 
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In publishing the present work, I feel that some 
short explanation is necessary. I was first led 
to take up the Natural History of Shakespeare 
from a short paragraph I saw in the “ Garden ” 
a few years ago, and was struck with the very 
large number of flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc., 
mentioned ; as we must remember Shakespeare’s 
object was not to write of trees and plants, but 
to use them as illustrations, and also that, three 
centuries ago, very little was known of botany, 
more especially of English wild flowers. With 
regard to the Animal Kingdom, it is merely a 
continuation of the former, as I had no idea of 
ever completing my work when I commenced it 
two years ago. 
