PREFACE. 



Nearly all the elementary works on Botany ex- 

 tant are derived from the Philosophic/, Botanica of 

 Linnaeus, a work of great labor and utility to those 

 who would wish to make themselves masters of this 

 fascinating branch of natural knowledge. Its techni- 

 cal character, however, often proves appalling to ma- 

 ny who would willingly become acquainted with the 

 characters of plants, did any easier route present it- 

 self. The first and most natural enquiry concerning 

 plants, is the nature and character of those beautiful 

 objects we call the flowers ; these, by various interest- 

 ing qualities, recommend themselves to every one. 

 Their brilliant colors, beautiful forms, fragrant odors, 

 and delightful association with the various seasons of 

 the year, with the promise of fruits and of harvests, 

 all combine to give them an importance, which no 

 other part of the plant possesses. To indulge this 

 shorter route to the knowledge of plants as a science, 



