PUBLISHERS' PREFACE 



TO 



GRAY'S SCHOOL AND FIELD BOOK OF BOTANY. 



THIS work consists of the "LESSONS IN BOTANY" and the " FIELD, FOREST AND 

 GARDEN BOTANT," bound together in one complete volume, forming a most popular and 

 comprehensive SCHOOL BOTANT, adapted to beginners and advanced classes, to Agri- 

 cultural Colleges and Schools, as well as to all other grades in which the science is 

 taught. It is also adapted for use as a hand-book to assist in analyzing plants and 

 flowers in field study of botany, either by classes or individuals. 



The book is intended to furnish Botanical Classes and beginners with an easier 

 introduction to the Plants of this country, and a much more comprehensive work, than 

 is the MANUAL. 



Beginning with the first principles, it progresses by easy stages until the student, 

 who is at all diligent, is enabled to master the intricacies of the science. 



It is a Grammar and Dictionary of Botany, and comprises the common Herbs, 

 Shrubs, and Trees of the Southern as well as the Northern and Middle States, including 

 the commonly cultivated, as well as the native species in fields, gardens, pkasure- 

 gronndx, or house culture, and even the conservatory plants ordinarily met with. 



This work supplies a great desideratum to the Botanist and Botanical Teacher, 

 then- being no similar class-book published in this country. 



