Vi PREFACE. 
more in Maryland, with a determination not to retur 
to Europe until I should have examined that country to 
- the utmost extent of my means and abilities. In 1811, 
after an absence of nearly twelve years, I returned to 
Europe, with an ample stock of materials towards a 
 Fron4 or Norra AMERICA, an attempt at which I 
now venture to lay before the publie, with the flattering 
hope, that a generous allowance will be made for its un- 
avoidable imperfections, when the extent of the under- 
taking is considered ; and. that it will be accepted asit 
really is intended, as only the groundwork of some future 
more: perfect work upon, the Bn SOS 
to be informed of the means. g which- iriga 
sessed of so general a collection of its plants, I shall 
give a few outlines thereof, previous to the necessary 
remarks respecting the execution of the work itself. 
= .My first object, after my arrival in America, was | 
fa fom. at. segonte with all those interested in the 
study of Botany. Among these I had the pleasure to 
i SEED 90. of, the qarlienty gone et oe dad ost Va- 
` science cute ie diii ja DU : 
ness of his observations ; I only regret, that his exten- 
sive and interesting materials towards a Flora of the 
United States, in which he has been engaged for a num- 
ber of years, should not before this have been commu- 
nicated to the publie. 
I next visited the old established gardens of Mr. Mar- 
shall, author of a small ** Treatise on the Forest-trees 
