PREFACE. Vll 



clear, they charm by their precision ; a taste 

 for which quality is one of the greatadvantages 

 to be derived by the youthful mind, from the 

 study of nature. 



With these considerations in view, I have 

 commenced the present volume with what 

 may be termed a Botanical Grammar. In 

 the first five chapters the parts of the vege- 

 table body, and their uses, are defined in a 

 concise and methodical manner, with none 

 but important technical terms. Perhaps the 

 contents of these chapters might, with advan- 

 tage, be learned by heart ; the young scholar 

 being directed to seek out examples, of each 

 particular part, or character, as he proceeds, 

 from the garden or fields. The more ample 

 Introduction to Botany would furnish his tu- 

 tor with references to every example in books, 

 that could possibly be wanted ; and the pupil 

 might gradually be led on to a wider circle of 

 terminology, (especially with regard to leaves,) 

 necessary to be known before the species of 

 plants can be investigated in detail. If the 

 contents of these five chapters be well stored 

 up in the mind, and the meaning of all the 

 terms, therein explained, clearly and distinctly 

 impressed upon the memory, the student will 



