Manual of British botany, containing the flowering plants and ferns / arranged according to the natural orders by Charles Cardale Babington.

  • Babington, Charles C. (Charles Cardale), 1808-1895.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual of British botany, containing the flowering plants and ferns / arranged according to the natural orders by Charles Cardale Babington. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PREFACE. In this work it has been the Author's wish to adopt in all cases those names which have the claim of priority, unless good cause should be shown for a contrary proceeding; and with this object he has carefully examined nearly all the best European Ploras, comparing our plants with the de- scriptions contained in them, and in most cases with foreign specimens of undoubted authenticity. In the adop- tion of genera and species an endeavour has been made, by the examination of the plants themselves, to determine which are to be regarded as truly distinct,—thus, it is hoped, taking Nature as a guide. Still, let it not be sup- posed tliat any claim is made to peculiar accuracy, or tliat the Author considers himself qualified to dictate to any student of botany; for he is well aware that there arc many points upon which persons who have carefully studied the subject form different conclusions from those to. which he has been led. Tlie i)rogress of our knowledge has caused changes in the nomenclature in successive editions of this book and in the Author's views of the value of forms—as species or varieties. The inconvenience of these alleratious to all, especially to statistical botanists, is fully aduiitted ; but the Author does not know of any mode by wliich it ran be avoided if each edition is to be brought up as conqdctely as is in his power to tlie contemporary knowledge of our plants. No alterations have been adniittcsd until careful A. 2