names only of the different Genera, their various authors are quoted, except those of R. A. Salisbury, Esq. whose manuscripts have been found so useful in every sheet. Petrophile is here terminated in e instead of a, not so much from its being consonant to the Greek idiom, as because that termination takes away all ambiguity between phila and phylla. A similar liberty has been taken with Adenanthos, by altering the o into e. Barbarous names, it is to be regretted, in defiance of Linne's canon, are still retained by the highest botanical authority living, Jussieu. Thinking them inadmissible, one letter in Roupala, u,has been left out, chance then allotting to it, not only a classical, but very appropriate Greek derivation.
Some new specific names have been proposed, when the old ones were manifestly absurd, or positively false: but these are few, and the Synonym being always added, no offence, it is hoped, will be given to any one, on this head. To avoid swelling the work to an unnecessary bulk, the Synonyms are printed in one paragraph; and for the convenience of those who are not acquainted with the Latin language, a literal translation of both the Generic and Specific Characters, has never been omitted.
King's Road, Chelsea, 1 August, 1809.
