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PRE AC B. 
Tue object of the present publication is to describe and 
figure, from living specimens, a series of plants in which I take 
much interest, and to the study and cultivation of which I 
have devoted many years. I allude chiefly to succulent plants 
generally, bulbous plants of various F’amilies, Orchids, Aroids, 
Bromeliads, Geraniacee, &c., &c., all which I have grown for 
the sake of better understanding them, having felt that a 
thorough knowledge of their characters and peculiarities of 
erowth could not be obtained from dried specimens, however 
well preserved. During the time I have been cultivating and 
studying the plants in question, I have felt most forcibly how 
inadequate words are to describe a plant properly, and that a 
faithful figure, with good dissections, gave a much clearer and 
more definite idea of the plant than words could possibly convey. 
A deep sense of this has induced me to commence the pub- 
lication of the ‘ Refugium,’ which I hope to make worthy of the 
attention of botanists, as Mr. J. G. Baker, of the Royal Her- 
barium, Kew, has kindly consented to undertake the descriptions 
3 from the living plants, and Mr. W. H. Fitch will give the figures 
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Y; and dissections. I propose devoting a considerable portion of 
the work to the smaller Orchids, and I have much pleasure in 
2 stating that my friend Professor H. G. Reichenbach, of Ham- 
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burgh, will give me all the assistance in his power to make this 
part of the ‘ Refugium’ valuable to those who study this remark- 
able Family of plants. I shall endeavour to publish yearly three 
Parts of this work, each containing 24 Plates, and forming 
together one volume. 
W. WILSON SAUNDERS. 
Hillfield, Reigate. 
