Aimé Bonpland is perhaps best known for his association with the great naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt, but much of the former’s life was spent in scientific activities uniquely his own. After Bonpland and Humboldt returned from their great expedition to South America in the early 19^th century, the latter obtained a position for Bonpland as botanist to the Empress Josephine, and, in that capacity, he managed and developed the gardens at her country chateau at Malmaison. Many of the Malmaison plants are described in this volume along with those at the royal estate at Navarre and it is dedicated to the Empress. Just before, and during Bonpland’s tenure as a royal botanist, it is estimated that nearly 200 plants which had never been seen in France, came to bloom in the gardens of Malmaison and Navarre. The illustrations in this volume are the artistry of Pancrace Bessa and Pierre Joseph Redouté.