The use of the first class of portraits is, to give a palpable idea of the general magnitude, form, and character, which different species and varieties assume when growing in the same soil and climate, even in so short a period as ten or twelve years after planting. A slight comparative view of these portraits shows that the growth of some trees is much more rapid than that of others; and that while the species of some genera when young are comparatively monotonous in their general form, those of the species of other genera of the same age have marked and characteristic features. Hence the valuable assistance afforded by such portraits in the choice of trees for the purposes of landscape-gardening. To solve the problem of ascertaining the species capable of producing any desired effect of wood, or of trees, in a given locality, and in a given time, it is only necessary to turn over the portraits which are contained in the last four volumes of this Work, and to select those species, the portraits of which exhibit trees of such forms and magnitudes as will produce the effect desired.

The second class of portraits represents full-grown trees of the same species as those of which portraits in their young state are given; and these, for the greater part, are drawn from trees within ten miles of Loudon, and all, with one or two exceptions, are to one scale. The object in giving these portraits of full-grown trees is, to show the magnitude and character which particular species attain when they arrive at maturity, and to be a guide to the planter, not only in many particulars having reference to pictorial effect, but also with respect to the uses of trees as productive of timber, shelter, and shade.

These portraits of trees in their young and mature state, which are contained in the last four volumes, together with the engraved botanical specimens, and the scientific and popular descriptions contained in the four volumes of letterpress, are calculated, as the author thinks, to create that interest in trees and shrubs in those who have not previously paid much attention to the subject, to produce which, as already observed, has been his grand object in undertaking this Work.

In addition to the trees and shrubs which have been ten or twelve years in the country, and which are purchasable in British nurseries, those of more recent introduction, which are comparatively scarce, are also described or noticed; as are some which were introduced at former periods, and have been lost, and others which are known to botanists, but which have not yet been introduced.

Besides notices of new and little known hardy trees and shrubs, or of such as are described by botanists but not yet introduced, some attention has been paid throughout the Work to trees and shrubs which, though they will stand through the winter in mild seasons, without protection in favourable situations, or with protection in situations and seasons less favourable, in the climate of London, yet cannot be recommended for general purposes, and are therefore generally described by gardeners as only half-hardy. These half-hardy species have been noticed, because there is perhaps no scene in a British garden more interesting, than one in which the plants of warm

countries, usually seen in green-houses or conservatories, appear in a flourishing state in the open air; and also because the culture and management of such plants call forth a higher degree of scientific knowledge and attention on the part of the gardener, and therefore contribute to his improvement and consequent usefulness. Half-hardy trees and shrubs of the more tender kinds are generally cultivated against what is in this Work called a conservative wall; that is, a wall which may be flued or not according to circumstances, but which admits of putting up a temporary projecting roof, or some other means of protection, during the winter season. Such walls are at present not very generally in use for ornamental exotics; but so great are the interest and beauty which they are calculated to display when properly designed, planted, and managed, that in a few years they will probably be as general as fruit walls; and, as ornaments to a country residence, connected with the flowergarden and shrubbery, will be considered as ranking next to the conservatory and the green-house.

Having given this notice of the objects which have led to the undertaking of this Work, and a general outline of the plan pursued in it, the reader is referred to the Introduction, and to the Explanatory References which precede the Table of Contents, for further details.

The engraving and printing of this Work, for which collections had been making for several years (see the Gardener's Magazine, vol. vi., for 1830, p. 582. and p. 718.), was begun in August, 1834; and it has been published in Numbers, the first of which appeared in January, 1835, and the 63d and last on the 1st of July, 1838. It was originally intended to include in it a generalisation of the whole subject of the trees and shrubs of temperate climates; but, finding the Work had increased to more than double the extent originally contemplated, it has been thought advisable to publish the generalisation alluded to separately; and it will accordingly appear at some future time, in one volume, under the title of an Encyclopædia of Arboriculture.

It now remains for the author to acknowledge his obligations to the numerous persons who have given him information for this Work. He refers to the List of Contributors, p. xv., and to every individual there named he begs to return his most sincere thanks. He thanks, in a more particular manner, the Council of the Horticultural Society of London, for having granted him permission to take portraits of the trees in the Society's Garden, and to examine and make drawings from the botanical specimens sent home by Douglas and others, in their herbarium; as well as for the information communicated by their head gardener, Mr. Munro, and the foreman of their arboretum, Mr. Gordon. The author is deeply indebted to Messrs. Loddiges, with reference to their arboretum at Hackney, and for the kind and liberal manner in which they have at all times, during the last ten years, since he began to prepare for this Work, not only allowed him to send artists to make drawings, and supplied him with specimens, but permitted him to select these himself; and, in short, to use their unrivalled collection of hardy trees and shrubs as if it had been his own. To the Linnean Society, and their librarian, Professor Don, the author is much indebted for the loan of books, and for permission to examine

the specimens of trees and shrubs in the Linnean herbarium; as he is to A. B. Lambert, Esq., V.P.L.S., &c., for the use of his magnificent library and unique herbarium, and for the living specimens of the Coníferæ from Boyton; and to W. T. Aiton, Esq., F.L.S., H.S., &c., Her Majesty's GardenDirector at Kew, for specimens of the trees and shrubs in the arboretum there, for the loan of manuscripts, and for other valuable information and assistance, communicated either directly by himself, or through that scientific and assiduous botanist and cultivator, Mr. Smith, foreman of the Kew Botanic Garden.

To His Grace the Duke of Northumberland the author is indebted, not only for access for himself and artists to examine and take portraits of the splendid exotic trees at Syon, but for drawings of upwards of a hundred of the largest and rarest of those trees, made for this Work by G. R. Lewis, Esq., at His Grace's expense, and also for engravings from several of the largest of these drawings. To Mrs. Lawrence of Studley Royal he is obliged for the portraits of many of the noble trees in the park at Studley, that lady having employed a London artist, H. W. Jukes, Esq., for several months for that purpose; and to the Rev. J. Charnock, for directing the measurements, and supplying interesting information respecting those trees. To the Countess of Bridgewater he is indebted for portraits of the gigantic beeches at Ashridge: and to Lady Grenville, for permission to take drawings, and for numerous specimens of the Abiétinæ in the magnificent pinetum at Dropmore; and to Her Ladyship's intelligent and most industrious gardener, Mr. Frost, for supplying valuable information respecting their culture and management, and for lending every assistance in his power. Portraits of trees, and many specimens, have also been sent by various other persons in different parts of Great Britain and Ireland, whose names, lest any individual should be by chance omitted, it is not endeavoured here to enumerate.

The author is also indebted, for portraits, specimens, and information, to various amateurs and gardeners on the Continent, as well as to correspondents in North America and Australia; and more especially to M. Alphonse De Candolle of Geneva; to M. André Michaux, M. Vilmorin, M. Loiseleur Deslongchamps, and M. Soulange-Bodin, of Paris; to Baron Jacquin, and M. Charles Rauch, of Vienna; to Professor Reinwardt, Leyden; Professor Kops, Utrecht; M. Otto, Berlin; Messrs. Booth, Hamburg; Professor Schouw and M. Petersen, Copenhagen; Bishop Agardh, Carlstadt, Sweden; Dr. Fischer, Petersburg; M. Fintelman, Moscow; M. Descemet, Odessa; Sr. G. Manetti, Monza, near Milan; the Honourable Keppel Craven, Naples; Dr. Mease, Philadelphia; Col. Carr, of Bartram's Botanic Garden; and John Thompson, Esq., Surveyor General's office, Sydney.

In the literary department the author received the assistance of the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A., F.L.S., for the lists of Fungi inhabiting different species of trees; of J. O.Westwood, Esq., F.L.S., Secretary to the Entomological Society, for descriptions and drawings of the Insects infesting different species; of Wm. Spence, Esq., F.L.S., and of M. Audouin, Member of the Institute of France, and Professor of Entomology, for information respecting the species of Scolytus injurious to the elm; of Mr. John Denson, A.L.S., in drawing up

the characters of the Orders and Genera, and generally for what may be considered the botanical department of this Work, from its commencement to the end of the genus Sàlix. He is, also, indebted to W. Withers, Esq., of Holt, Norfolk, for the loan of his unpublished work on the Robínia Pseud-Acàcia; to W. Borrer, Esq., F.L.S., for the arrangement into groups of the numerous species of the difficult genus Sàlix, and for looking over the proof sheets of the article on that genus; to Professor Alphonse De Candolle, for looking over the proof sheets of the article on Salisbùria, as well as for examining the proofs of the history of trees in France and Switzerland; to M. Vilmorin, for looking over the proof sheets of the history of trees and shrubs in France; to the late M. Fischer, of the Botanic Garden, Göttingen, and to M. Otto, of Berlin, for looking over the proof sheets of the history of trees in Germany; to Professor Don, for arranging and looking over the whole of the generic characters, and some of the proof sheets, of the Coníferæ ; and to Mr. Gorrie, for examining the proof sheets of the article on the Larch.

To His Grace the Duke of Bedford the author is indebted for much valuable information on the subject of trees, and more especially respecting the Oak, the Scotch Pine, and the Cedar of Lebanon, communicated either directly by His Grace, or through his forester at Woburn Abbey, Mr. Ireland; as well as for permission (of which he has availed himself) to make whatever use he chose of that magnificent work the Salictum Woburnense. To the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Aberdeen, Macpherson Grant, Esq., and Mr. Grigor, of Forres, he is indebted for important communications respecting the Scotch Pine in Scotland; to the Duke of Portland for various researches respecting the Oak in Nottinghamshire; and to the Earl of Wicklow, Earl Roden, Lord Viscount Ferrard, Sir Robert Bateson, Mr. Mackay, and Mr. Niven, for information respecting the trees and shrubs of Ireland.

The author, in conclusion, has only to request that the readers of this Work will send to him whatever corrections, additions, or suggestions may occur to them on its perusal, or at any future period. It is his intention to publish whatever additional matter he may receive from correspondents, or procure himself, in an Annual Report in the Gardener's Magazine; and to include in this report notices of all the trees and shrubs which may, during the year, have been introduced from foreign countries, or originated in this country from intentional hybridisation or accident. This report will also include such improvements as may from time to time be made in arboricultural nomenclature, such as the re-arrangement of the species of a genus, &c.; and, in short, every thing that may be found requisite to keep up the information contained in the Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum, with the actual progress of knowledge on the subject. The essence of these annual reports will be collected from time to time, and published in pamphlets, as supplements to the Arboretum; so that the possessor of this first edition may have it in his power, at any future time, to bring the Work down to the latest date, without being under the necessity of purchasing a new edition.

Bayswater, May 20. 1838.

J. C. L.

DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER.

THE Work is to be done up in Eight Volumes: the first Four of Letterpress, and the last Four of Plates.

Vol. I. is to contain the Dedication, Preface, Contents, &c., of the eight volumes, and the text as far as p. 494. inclusive. A Table of the Contents of Vol. I. is to be placed immediately before the Introduction; and the first part of this table being systematic, and the second part alphabetical, an index at the end of the volume is unnecessary. The Signatures at the beginning of the volume run thus:—A, [A], a, a to d d, * B, C, &c., in the regular series. Vol. II. commences with p. 495., and ends with p. 1256. There is a Title, with a Table of Contents on the same plan as in Vol. I.

Vol. III. commences with 1257., and ends with p. 2030.; having a Table of Contents, &c., as in Vol. I.

Vol. IV. commences with p. 2031., and contains the remaining part of the text; with a Table of Contents, &c., as in Vol. I., at the beginning, and three Alphabetical Indexes at the end.

Vol. V. commences with Magnòlia grandiflòra, and ends with Acàcia dealbàta. There is a Title, with a Table of Contents arranged on the same plan as that given in the preceding volumes.

Vol. VI. commences with Amygdalus commùnis, and ends with O'rnus europæ'a, full-grown tree. Title, Contents, &c., as in preceding volumes. Vol. VII. commences with Catálpa syringæfòlia, and ends with Quércus álba. Title, Contents, &c., as before.

Vol. VIII. commences with Quércus macrocárpa, and ends with Juniperus excélsa; and has Title, Contents, &c., as before. At the end of this volume there is an Alphabetical Index to the Four Volumes of Plates.

A List of the Plates, in the order in which they are to be bound up, is given in the Table of Contents, p. cliv. to clxi. in Vol. I.

The Cancels given in order to introduce corrections, &c., are the following:

Vol. VII. Pterocàrya caucásica, to be substituted for Juglans fraxinifòlia.

Certain superfluous Plates given with some copies, and which are to be cancelled, are enumerated at the end of the Supplement, Vol. IV. p. 2608.