VI PREFACE. PREFACE.
to the professors and lovers of horticulture, in all its branches and of every grade.
Within its columns is compressed all the most important information relative to
admired plants which its small size and avowed design would admit. With this in
his pocket, the possessor or cultivator of plants may perambulate his own garden,
visit those of his friends or public establishments, and attend floricultural exhibi- -
tions, in the full assurance that if any particular object engage his attention, he may
at once derive every fact of interest respecting both it and its congeners which is
yet known in this country, and form an idea of the facility or difficulty, and consequent
expense, attending its conservation. Such is, cursorily, the prime purport
of this publication, and the aim of its author. To supersede the necessity for
attaching the meaning of every specific appellation, and at the same time to afford
the most ample means for acquiring a knowledge of all the phrases peculiar to the
science, a voluminous glossary has been incorporated; wherein, in addition to the
more abstruse Latin terms, a number of ordinary words that are used botanically
in a peculiar sense are fully explained.
One inestimable quality of a popular synopsis of any sort, is the discreet abridgment
of uninteresting matter, and detailed record of merely the most attractive
particulars. On the judicious selection and proper apportionment of desirable
intelligence, the value of a summary entirely rests. In this respect we have much
to claim for the volume to which the present address is prefixed. On account of
the extreme scarcity, or non-existence in Britain, of many plants, considerable
perplexity has been experienced in assigning to each species its due share of honour.
For this reason, if a few plants are unjustly elevated, and others improperly debased,
some little allowance may fairly be expected. Those indigenous species which are
ranked with the ornamental sorts, are not to be regarded as worthless because of
their commonness, but may be cultivated with advantage in the more secluded and
sylvan flower borders.
To take a general glance at the arrangement and composition of this DICTIONARY,
it will be better to show more lucidly the intent and application of each separate
point, and afterwards advert to the abbreviations. Compactness and facile portability
being the primary and principal elements of the design, condensation of the
letter-press was an inevitable result. On this score, however, we have just grounds
for eulogising our printers, as nothing can be more beautiful or perfect than the
mechanical execution of the work; while the objection that might attach to the
minuteness of the type, is completely removed by its exceeding clearness.
vu
Under the head of each genus, besides the authority for its name, its origin, and
position, both in the Linnaean and Natural System, a concise outline is given of its
most striking members, with adequate instructions for their cultivation, and observations
on their particular medicinal or useful properties. In conformity to the
principle of giving prominence to only the most interesting subjects, the worthless
genera are passed over with a slight statement of their insignificance ; and to prevent
repetition, reference is occasionally made to other genera for directions on treatment,
when the habits of both closely correspond. For all the suggestions on culture, we
hold ourselves, for the most part, responsible; the notes in those instances where
we have no personal cognizance being extracted from the best authors, with the
usual acknowledgments. Immediately succeeding the above-named sketches, a list
of specific synonymes is furnished, with figures of allusion affixed to each, and
similar ones to the species they represent, by which the observer may instantly
perceive what names are applied to the same plant^ that in the last or descriptive text
being always the most authentic.
In the enumeration of genera and species, we are indebted chiefly to Mr. Geo,
Don's General System of Gardening and Botany, Dr. Lindley's Introduction
to the Natural System, and Mr. Loudon's Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum,
comparing these with all other catalogues extant,—of which Loudon's
Hortus Britannious is the principal and best,—and adopting such readings as are
most obviously correct. We rely greatly on our own rigid research into these
matters, having been engaged in it for several years, but still more so on a careful
revision of both MSS. and printed proofs, undertaken by Dr. Lindley in the most
disinterested and kind manner. Nevertheless, such is the typographical diminutiveness,
that we cannot imagine but some errors have eluded us. Should it reach
another edition, we shall have great pleasure in effecting any emendations which
our correspondents or friends may discover and communicate. It will be manifest
that two distinct courses have been followed with regard to the ornamental and
trivial species. Possessing nothing to recommend them to notice, or to render the
enrolment of their habits, native country, &c., at all defeirable, we have arranged the
latter in aggregated groups; after their more interesting allies where these exist,
and directly following the general remarks on those genera which comprise no ornamental
species. On the description of each meritorious plant included in the
columns opposite its appellation, we shall descant more largely, when considering
the abbreviations.