FOREWORD 
AN addition to the already large number of serial botanical publications 
-Fa. demands an explanation if not an apology. 
There is at present no South African journal which devotes itself entirely 
to botanical work. The field for botanical investigation in South Africa is 
very large and but sparsely occupied; the number of those directly or 
indirectly interested in its occupation is increasing. An eloquent testimony 
to the truth of this inference is furnished by tbe circumstances which last 
year culminated in the establishment of a National Botanic Garden. South 
Africa therefore offers both material and scope for a botanical journal. 
The annals of the Bolus Herbarium will be mainly concerned with 
botanical work directly or indirectly inspired by Dr Bolus and with 
investigations conducted in or in connection with the Bolus Herbarium 
and contributing to our knowledge of the vegetation of South Africa — in 
particular of its taxonomy, ecology, economic and geographical botany. 
Among tbe movements in which Dr Bolus was greatly interested must 
be included the extension and deepening of the teaching of Botany through- 
out the country. An attempt will therefore be made to include in these 
pages notes which it is hoped may prove of assistance to those engaged in 
teaching Botany in the schools. These will take the form of original 
articles on special subjects and of reviews of books and papers treating 
of botanical subjects. 
.During the early stages of the development of the National Botanic 
Gardens, this journal will record such notices of the work carried on there 
as may be deemed to fall within its scope. 
The Annals of the Bolus Herbarium must look for support to that section 
of the South African public which will desire the success ot a scientific 
periodical indebted for its inception and establishment to the benefaction ot 
a South African citizen to the science in whose service he spent many of the 
best years of his life. 
H. H. W. P. 
South African College, 
Cape Town. 
January , 1914. 
