P R E F A C E .
T h e many new and interesting subjects I have been enabled to collect, during the course of twenty
years, the time which has elapsed since the publication of my Description of the Genus Pinus, have induced
me to add this further continuation of the same work, under the title of a second volume. I have here to
acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Don, for the pains he has taken in forming the Descriptions, and the
accurate manner in which the whole has been executed. Perhaps it will be necessary here to notice several
Pines which appear to me to merit being considered as distinct species; but of which I have not yet been
able to obtain sufficient materials to enable me to give descriptions of them. The first is a species
from Teneriffe, and noticed by Humboldt, in his “ Personal Narrative,” under the name of Pinus
Canariensis. The late professor Smith, who perished in the ill-fated expedition to explore the source of
the Zaire, appears to have first observed this species at Teneriffe. To this naturalist I am indebted for a
cone and ripe seeds, from which I succeeded in raising several plants, now above ten feet high j I have
hitherto kept them in the conservatory. The second is a native of China, from whence I have frequently
received the cones: from these, and a drawing in the possession of the Horticultural Society, it appears to be
a very distinct species, and may, therefore, be called Pinus Sinensis. Several plants of this species have lately
been raised in this country, so that we shall soon become better acquainted with its characters. Having lately
seen drawings done by Japanese artists of the Pinus Abies and Larix, noticed by Thunberg in the Flora
Japonica, I am now fully satisfied of their being perfectly distinct from the European species, with which
Thunberg has confounded them, as I had at first suspected. For the former I would suggest the name of
Pinus Thunbergii; and for the latter, noticed by Kmmpfer, that of Pinus Kcempferi. Thunberg’s P. Strobus
is evidently the same with my Pinus excelsa. As to his Pinus Cembra and sylvesti'is, I can say nothing; but
I have little doubt, that they will prove distinct species. I possess a single plant of a species foliis ternis. It
comes near to Pinus longifolia, and is said to be from Timor. It has hitherto been kept in the conservatory,
where it has attained the height of seven feet.
It gives me infinite satisfaction to have an opportunity of acknowledging the many obligations I am under
to the Honourable the Court of Directors of the East I ndia Company, to whom botanical science is so much
indebted, for the great zeal and liberality they have shown in making known the vegetable treasures of their
extended Asiatic possessions, by appointing collectors in various parts of India, and by the establishment of
one of the most magnificent Botanic Gardens in the world, at Calcutta, which has furnished to the Gardens
of this country their chief ornaments.
I have also to acknowledge my obligations to that distinguished oriental scholar, Charles Wilkins, Esq.
who has at all times afforded me free access to the rich collections contained in the Museum of the India
House.