V.1 



that it may be found to answer some useful purpose 

 as a book of practical reference, until some more 

 extensive work may appear among us. 



The plants described in this book have been 

 collected during the two last seasons in the vicinity 

 of Boston,, within a circuit of from five to ten miles. 

 These limits have only been exceeded in the case of 

 a few remarkable plants, as Magnolia, Podophyl- 

 lum, &c. whose places of growth and distance from 

 Boston are distinctly noticed. It is presumed 

 however that the vegetables of this part of the coun- 

 try will serve as a tolerable specimen of the botany 

 of the whole New England states, and particularly 

 of the maritime parts. 



No plants have been inserted, which were not 

 found growing spontaneously, or in their wild state. 

 Of these a majority are originally native, the rest 

 have emigrated to us from other countries. Plants 

 which are found growing only in a state of cultiva- 

 tion, are omitted ; and among others the numerous 

 cultivated trees and shrubs. 



In describing the plants, the genera have been 

 placed at the head of each class, and the species 

 afterward in the same order, with corresponding 

 numbers. On account of the smallness of their 

 number, it has not been thought necessary to repeat 

 the generic characters singly, especially as many of 

 them are given more at large than mere essential 

 characters. In the species I have carefully avoid- 



all changes of names or unnecessary innovations 



