PREFACE.
The form of accentuation has also been changed and rendered as simple as
possible, the sounds being indicated by a single mark instead of the long and
short accents of the former editions. The grave accent Q shows that the
vowel over which it is placed should be sounded long, as Fàgus, Jamhbsa ;
and the acute accent (') that the sound should be short, as Hélcus, Jâtropha;
in some instances, however, the classical accentuation has been made to yield
to the popular pronunciation, of which an instance or two may be quoted.
Lycop6dium (classical), Lycopôdium (popular)-, Chenop6dium (classical)
Chenopodium {po2mlar). The grave accent then, indicates that the
vowel over Avhich it is placed is to be sounded by itself, while the acute
accent (') denotes that the vowel is to be sounded in conjunction with the
following consonant.
The Editor has to acknowledge the courtesy of those botanists who have
kindly furnished him with information on various points, and especially he
would mention the valuable assistance rendered by Dr. Masters, who kindly
undertook to look over the proof-sheets before they finally went to press.
In conclusion, the Editor hopes that the present edition of the BOTANICAL
DICTIONARY will be as favourably received by the public as any of the
preceding issues ; great care having been bestowed upon its revision, and
much new and useful matter added, including the names of several thousands
of new plants, which have been introduced into this country during the last
twenty years.
CnATswonTn,
May, 1868,
PREFACE TO THE EIEST EDITION
WHEN an author offers to the public a work, the greater part of the mformation
contained in which is already available in detached fragments «^her forms h,s
first duty is to exhibit the propriet^of its publication ; and prove, beyond q st on
that he has been instigated to hihask by no unworthy desire of fame, but by a
distinct and certified persuasion of its demand and utility. _
Happily in the present case, we are enabled to court scrutiny into our motives,
being fally prepared to explain and justify them. During the numerous interviews
enioyed by us with the leading patrons of floriculture, the want of a pocket companiL,
such as that now furnished, has ever been especially and forcibly urged.
There are, it is true, Catalogues, Encyclopeedias, Lexicons, and Cultural Directories,
all hio-hlv valuable in their respective spheres, and essential adjuncts to a gardener s
or am'ateur's library : but they are too elaborate, verbose, technical, or uninterestmg,
to be readily and thoroughly appropriated ; the expense, also, of several is necessarily
enormous, and beyond the means of the great majority of those who thirst
after botanical and floricultural literature ; and no single one, much less a set,
embracing all the subjects of this Dictionary, is conveniently portable, or can ever
be carried, without discomfort, beyond the porch of the proprietor's domicile.
Comprehensive compendiums, in which scientific and popular details are abridged,
combined, and thus brought within the pecuniary reach as well as easy exammatwn
of those whose income and time are subjected to many other more pressing
exactions, are highly commendable if attentively and clearly arranged ; but their
usefulness is in proportion to the precision and accuracy of the manner m which
thev are compiled. ti t • ^ 4.
THE POCKET BOTANICAL DICTIONARY, then, has been prepared solely as an instant
resource and standard of consultation ; and for this purpose will be found invaluable
to the professors and lovers of horticulture, in all its branches and of every p-ade.
Within its columns is compressed all the most important information re a ive to
admired plants which its small size and avowed design would admit ^ith this m
his pocket, the possessor or cultivator of plants may perambulate his own garden,
visit those of his friends or public establishments, and attend floricultural exhibitions,
in the full assurance that if any particular object engage his attention, he may
at oice 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 con-
Lquent expense, attending its conservation. Such is, cursorily, the prime purpoit
of this p uLa t on, and the aim of its author. To supersede the necessity for