TO MY WORTHY AND HONORED FRIEND NICHOLAS BACON, OF GILLINGHAM, ESQUIRE

HAD I NOT OBSERVED THAT PARTIALLY BLIND original: "purblind" MEN HAVE spoken well of sight, and some without children original: "issue" have written excellently on reproduction original: "generation", I—who have never been the master of any significant garden—would not have attempted this subject. But the earth is the garden of nature, and every fruitful country is a paradise. Dioscorides A Greek physician and botanist (c. 40–90 AD), author of "De Materia Medica." made most of his observations while marching with the Roman general Mark Antony original: "Antonius"; and Theophrastus An ancient Greek philosopher (c. 371–287 BC) often called the "father of botany." gathered his general theories mainly from the open fields.

❦ FURTHERMORE, we are not writing a herbal A book containing the names and descriptions of plants, usually with their medicinal properties., nor can this small volume deceive you, who have handled the largest of such books. You know that even three folio volumes Very large books made from sheets of paper folded only once. are still too small to contain the subject, and you see how many new herbals reach us from America. From persevering researchers, who have grown old studying these unique plants original: "singularities", we expect such detailed descriptions; in this field, England is now so precise that it does not fall behind other countries.

❦ WE do not claim to increase the classifications of vegetables by focusing on plants that are five-pointed original: "quincuncial" or net-like original: "reticulate" in pattern, nor do we intend to establish a new science of botany original: "phytology". The field of knowledge has been so thoroughly explored original: "traced" that it is difficult to discover anything truly new. We write something new about old things: if truth can indeed be added to, or if those who are envious insist on something novel. For even the ancients were aware of recent anatomical discoveries, and Hippocrates The famous Greek physician (c. 460–370 BC) often called the "Father of Medicine." knew about the circulation of the blood.

❦ YOU have been so far beyond commonplace original: "trite" learning for so long that it is difficult to find a subject suitable for you; if you have already encountered a paper on this topic, we have failed in our goal. In this era of excessive writing, minor and neglected original: "barren" themes are best suited for creative thought original: "invention". Subjects that are discussed too often limit the imagination and tie our thoughts to the ideas of previous writers. Besides, such discussions allow for diversions original: "excursions" and excusably original: "venially" admit side-truths, even if they are somewhat distant from the main point. If we sometimes take great liberties in this regard, we are not alone, but follow the example of great authors.

❦ ANYONE who wishes to demonstrate the excellence of this geometric arrangement Referring to the quincunx pattern (⁙), the central theme of the book. might easily fail when dealing with such a refined original: "spruce" subject. We have not intimidated the average reader with any diagrams other than the pattern itself, and we have deliberately avoided using illustrations from rare or unknown plants.

❦ YOUR discerning judgment, being so well-acquainted with this study, will expect no mathematical certainties original: "truths" here, as you well understand...