TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BART. K. B.
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY,
AND TO
JAMES EDWARD SMITH, M. D. F. R. S.
PRESIDENT OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY,
THIS PUBLICATION IS INSCRIBED.
TO THE FIRST OF THESE GENTLEMEN I HAVE GREAT OBLIGATIONS FOR GRANTING ME ACCESS TO THE FIRST LIBRARY IN THE WORLD, AS WELL AS MOST READY ASSISTANCE IN ANY ENQUIRY WHATEVER RELATING TO NATURAL HISTORY.
TO MY ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE LATTER IT IS OWING THAT I HAVE NOT LONG SINCE QUITTED THE PLEASING SCIENCE OF BOTANY; AND FOR HIM, AS THE WRITER OF ENGLISH BOTANY, I FEEL PECULIAR RESPECT AND ESTEEM.
THAT THIS TRIBUTE OF GRATITUDE MAY NOT PROVE UNWORTHY OF THEIR ACCEPTANCE, IS THE SINCERE DESIRE OF THEIR
MOST FAITHFUL
HUMBLE SERVANT,
J. SOWERBY.
No. 2,
Mead Place, Lambeth, Surrey,
Sept. 1st, 1797.