PREFACE. Xi 



rng in some of its sublimest most im^ 

 portant truths. That every path tendino- to 

 ends so desirable may be accessible, I 

 have not confined myself to systematical 

 subjects, wide and various as they are, 

 but I have introduced the anatomy and 

 physiology of plants to the botanical stu- 

 dent, wishing to combine all these several 

 objects ; so far at least that those who do 

 not cultivate them all, may be sensible of 

 the value of each in itself, and that no 

 disgraceful rivalship or contempt, the 

 offspring of ignorance, may be felt by 

 the pursuers of any to the prejudice of 

 the rest. 



I have treated of physiological and 

 anatomical subjects in the first place, be- 

 cause a true knowledge of the structure 

 and parts of plants seems necessary to the 

 right understanding of botanical arrange- 

 ment ; and I trust the most superficial 

 reader will here find enough for that pur- 



