INTRODUCTION. 25 



method. Whoever may wish for further proof 

 in costly figures and specimens will find them 

 in my Icones and Autikon (and possess them 

 by buying them), else in the N. Amer. plants of 

 my Flora : meantime this work is perhaps the 

 first ever published in America on General 

 Classical Botany; and it will be a mine of bota- 

 nical knowledge, to those willing to avail them- 

 selves of such help any where. 



Such have been my labors and exertions in 

 my favourite Science, the most amiable of all, 

 and the earliest as it shall be the latest of my pur- 

 suits thro' life. Reader, kind or unkind . . ! do 

 not disdain these results of long experience and 

 criticism ; dismiss bad names and groups ; adopt 

 or further improve my generic and tribal clus- 

 ters. They are the natural evolution of spon- 

 taneous vegetable life exerted in wisdom thro' 

 ages. Imitate my zeal, and be happy in the 

 lovely study of flowers. 



To seek the truth in floral gifts concealing, 

 Is pleasing task; to lofty minds remaling 

 Their secret beauties clad in bright array, 

 T7iSit wisdom teach and to the mind convey. 



