Much of a work like the present must necessarily be de-pendent on the labours of preceding botanists ; on men who havetoiled, and some who still toil, to raise to perfection a delightfulscience, inexhaustible in extent and intricate in its ramifi-cations. In this little work it is not the province of theauthor to wade deeply in the current of science and research.He humbly collects from the sweets and the beauties that floaton the surface, and of these he has pleasure in composing anosegay, as a periodical present to the lovers of a flowergarden.

Many ideas, it is presumed, will be found in the followingsheets, which have arisen from the author's own experience.Others may be met with, which for the hundredth time arepresented to the eye of the reader. But whether old or new,original, or selected, his endeavour will be to keep in view oneprincipal object,—the production of every useful and interestinginformation connected with the subjects on which he treats.

Regarding the correctness of the plates he can speakwith confidence. Talented artists have lent their aid, andevery exertion has been made to render them as perfect por-traits as the state of the arts, and pecuniary remuneration,will admit.

That he owes much gratitude to several individuals ofnoble rank, for their condescension in forwarding his views,he is deeply sensible. He would have pleasure in a more ex-plicit acknowledgment of their favours; but that superiorminds feel no gratification in whatever may assume the form ofadulation.

The reception of the Botanic Garden can but inspire theauthor with additional zeal in his favourite pursuit, and stimu-late his endeavours to secure a continuance of that patronage,which in the present excess of literary productions, may bedeemed no trifling distinction.