PREFACE. 



This work, originally designed to be the joint production 

 of the late Eev. Dr. Curtis and myself, ultimately fell to 

 my sole charge. With limited equipment for such an 

 undertaking, and fully occupied in the discharge of the 

 active duties of my profession, in moments of leisure dur- 

 ing three or four years the task was completed, given to 

 the press, and favorably received by my contemporaries both 

 at home and abroad. 



In this edition, in order to incorporate the contents of the 

 two supplements of the last edition, and additional matter 

 since accumulated, and still to retain the volume within 

 handy limits, it became necessary to rewrite or abbreviate 

 portions of the former editions. 



The nomenclature of the first edition, which was that in 

 general use at the commencement of my botanical career, 

 three quarters of a century ago, is mainly retained. 



In a region so vast, with surface and climate so varied as 

 that embraced within the limits assigned to this work, there 

 still must remain much to reward the labors of future ex- 

 plorers, and many new species have been proposed by recent 

 collectors as occurring within my limits. These, which are 

 unknown to me, when duly confirmed, together with cor- 

 rections of such errors as may be detected in the present 

 volume, will have place in future issues. 



Apalachicola, Florida, 

 December 4, 1896. 



