P R E F A C E .
DURING fifteen years which elapsed after the conclusion
of the 'E nglish Botany/ so many additions
were made to the list of indigenous flowering plants,
that a Supplement was become highly desirable, and
indeed necessary, to render that work tolerably complete;
so that an apology is hardly necessary for the two
volumes now laid before the Public. The acknowledged
merits of the original work have always stood
so high, that the conductors of the Supplement felt it
to be a bold task to attempt its equal; and deprived as
they were of the high and elegant abilities of their
lamented friend Sir J. E. Smith, they sought the assistance
of several of the most able British Botanists,
and were not disappointed, for not only were plants
and descriptions most liberally supplied, but in some
cases excellent drawings.
It is then to Dr. Hooker and W. Borrer, Esq., who
have most essentially supported them, and to Messrs.
Forster, Wilson, D. Don, and several other excellent
Botanists, whose communications although not so
numerous have been highly valuable, that Messrs.
Sowerby are indebted for having, as they hope, attained
their object; if not wholly, yetatleast as nearly
as was practicable; and to whom they must be allowed
this opportunity of publicly expressing their deep-
felt gratitude. It is needless to say more of the plates