VI. PREFACE. 



tak^n chiefly from Mirbel constitutes the concluding 1 chapter, 

 The technical English terms, which occur in the severaf Floras 

 recently published in the this country, are defined and illustra- 

 ted by a reference to well known plants, but the Latin terms, 

 and the criticisms which are found in most elementary works 

 of this kind have been omitted. 



This Compendium was designed as an Introduction to the 

 study of American plants, and it is published for the convenience 

 of those who wish to pursue it. 



It was designed as a substitute for the more expensive volumes 

 of Smith, Barton, Willdenow and Keith, and it has been com- 

 piled for the convenience of those who wish to consult the 

 Floras which have, within a short time, been published in various 

 sections of the United States ; other merits it does not claim. 



Botanical students who wish to obtain an accurate 

 knowledge of the various plants that meet their view, 

 will often find it necessary to compare them with others, 

 to which they are nearly allied. Hence the indispen- 

 sable utility of an herbarium which shall contain a 

 collection of dried plants, usually arranged according 



