I 290 EDITOR'S TiVBLE. (^ 



%: 



they only wore fijinrod by this master of engraviiigr, the work wpuld be chea]), nay iiivabi- 

 nblo; but ill addition, we have in MioiiArx and Nuttai.l all the trees of our continent. 

 The first named author deporibed the trees of the Atlantic slo])e, and Ni'ttam, continued 

 file labor to the Pacific, including Oregon and California. The trees from these new 

 possessions are already finding their way to our nurseries and gardens, and Nuttall's 

 volumes are therefore indispensable, for hie are the only descri[)tions extant of these western 

 novelties. 



Mr. Smith, the editor, happily I'emarks in his introduction, "It was a singular circnm- 

 etance, and a happy one for advancing science, thut Mr. NrxTAi.L arrived in this country 

 the very year that the younger Miohaux left it. ****:* J\^^, ^^y,, -works are 

 now one and homogenous ; the former most highly valued by all lovers of trees, and the 

 latter destined to be equally so." We may add that it has proved also fortunate that a 

 publisher has been found to encounter the risk and labor attending the publication of such 

 works, and who was willing to give the personal attention requisite to turn out every copy 

 of the two hundred and seventy -eiglit plates in such excellent style and condition. It is to 

 be hoped that he will ultimately be entirely remunerated. This he never could have been 

 but for another fortunate circumstance, Avhich might almost be called an accident — the 

 liberal contribution of books and money to several scientific institutions in this country, 

 especially to the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. The late AVilliam Macluke 

 was in Europe at a period when all literary property was at an enormous discount, owing 

 to the state of war in which France had involved her. Among other treasures which he 

 purchased and sent home, was Redoxte's original copper plates of Michaux's great work. 

 They were in beautiful condition — entirely without a blemish. Mr. ^rACT.UEE''s sole object 

 was to eidighten his countrymen, and he caused a small edition, on very bad paper and 

 executed carelessly by his agents, throughout, to be issued ; but it proved an abortion — only 

 purchased for the want of a better. Still, in hope it might sometime have a better fate, he 

 presented the whole of the copper to the late eminent President of the Academy of Natural 

 Sciences, the lamented Samuel George Morton, M. D. He was animated by the same 

 public spirit as Mr. Macluke, and gave the use of the plates gratuitously to the present 

 publisher, on condition only of his producing an edition to rival the original French copies. 

 This has at length been done at a price that could not have been attained but for such 

 distinguished liberality. We have given this history, both because it is interesting in a 

 literary point of view, as well as to do justice to the gentlemen who have thus raised 

 monuments for the gratitude of their fellow citizens. We have in the first place the father 

 and son, Miouaux, and Nuttall, three individuals the best qualified for the purpose as 

 authors, now neither claiming nor desiring the slightest compensation for their years of 

 labor, toil, and travel ; we have Mr. MACLrEE and Dr. Moetou giving their contributions 

 of the plates gratuitously ; and finally Mr. Smith, the editor, himself a devoted lover of the 

 subject, with assistance in correcting the tran;4ation, superintending this edition, also, we 

 are informed, gratuitously ; and a young publisher, with little hope of even remuneration, 

 placing the work at a very moderate price before the public. 



The elder Miohattx is deceased, having fallen a sacrifice to his scientific zeal on the coast 

 of Madagascar ; Redonte, the engraver, who has left such a world-wide reputation by his 

 engravings of the work, the Liliacece and Eosacew, &c., is no more ; both Mi*. Macluee and 

 Dr. Morton have lately paid the debt of nature. 



The elder Miohaux commenced the " Sylva," by describing the Oaks of America ; his 

 son F. Akdee Miohaux, who completed it, still survives, and resides in Paris at the age (jf 



