D I S S E R T A T I O N concluded.
A T the commencement of this Monograph the extent of this elegant tribe of
plants appeared to be circumscribed within a small compass, and we calculated
upon one volume enshrining the whole Genus. The termination of that v o lume
left a residuum of sufficient magnitude to complete a second, at whose termination
an ample fund for continuation was still apparent. A third is finished ;
and there yet remains enough to form a fourth, the conclusion of which will,
we think, contain all that are as yet in cultivation with us, as the limits of this
extensive family appear at present to be bounded within three hundred species
and distinct varieties; and unless some new source should be found to extend
it, by the discovery of some unexpected mine of novelty, it may be then considered
as for a time completed ; although, no doubt, from the beautiful variations
occasionally raised from seed, there will be still further accessions of
novelty to merit attention at some future period, by way of appendix.
When the author first began to delineate the Erica family in the year 1794,
the greater part of the species then known had been so recently imported, that
the seeds did not ripen with us. A period of fifteen years having since elapsed,
many of them have become so far naturalized as to perfect their seed freely.
The prevalent idea of their not ripening with us is owing to a want of sufficient
attention to preserve them ; for, as soon as the seeds are perfect, if not
immediately collected, the capsule splits, and the seeds, which arc extremely
small, escape unperceived.
The fourth volume will contain, in addition to each figure, a short account of
who first raised it, & c , and at the end of the volume (which the author trusts
will be completed in much less time than the foregoing ones) all the seeds that
can possibly be procured will be represented, both of the natural size and
magnified, to render the work as complete as the progressive increase of the
vegetable kingdom will possibly admit of.