The present volume is the first of two dealing with the Proteales. This volume describes the family Elaeagnaceae (pp. 1-3) and Proteaceae 1. The remainder of the Proteaceae will be described in volume 17. The major part of the present volume (pp. 4-522) is devoted to the first part of the description of the Proteaceae. It includes a family description and chapters on affinities, morphological features, fossils, pollinators and uses, furthermore a key to all genera in Australia and descriptions of these genera except Banksia, Dryandra, Grevillea, and Hakea.