endeavburing to remler them as useful as possible. Eno-ravino-s mere- 

 ly ornamental, were not within the scope of this publication. The 

 grasses having usuallj been considered by students as forming an ob- 

 scure branch of botany, I have attempted to illustrate t'lis department, 

 and propose to give, on a reduced scale, drawings and dissections of 

 the different genera of the Gramina and Cyperacese, so as to exhibit 

 the habit and structure of each genus. I know not whether the 

 benefit will at all be proportioned to the labour and anxietv these en- 

 gravings have cost me, in a country where few facilities are offered 

 to an author; but I must bestow unqualified praise on Mr. WooDj the 

 engraver, for the zeal and ^the unwearied assiduity with which he has 

 laboured to render them accurate, and worthy of public approbation. 

 Their errors and imperfections must rest with me. 



Of the books generally referred to, the following editions have been 



used. 



Genera Plantarum. Lin. Schrebers edition. 



4 



Species Plantarum, Lin. Willdenow's edition — Berlin, 1797. 

 Clayton^s Flora Virginica. 4to edition — Leyden, 1762. 

 Hortus Kewensis. 2d edition. 



When other editions have been used tliey have been particularlj 

 noticed. Of most of the other books employed, there has been but 

 one i.npression. 



To the many friends who have aided me in this work, I owe great 

 obligations; and at a future opportunity I will return them more 



-"^ 



specific acknowledgments. Every page, however, of this publication, 

 will bear testimony to their zeal and kindness; fori have endeavour* 

 ed scrupulously to record the aid they have afforded me, and to regis- 

 ter tiieir respective discoveries. I must still request, not only those 

 Avho have already assisted me, but all the lovers of this science, to 

 communicate any observations or discoveries, which may enable me tb 

 correct the errors I have committed, or to supply the omissions which 

 may occur in the course of this publication. Specunens of rare or 

 unknown plants will be at all times highly acceptable. 



In a science like botany, depending on fact and observation, the 

 progress must necessarily be slow and gradual. It is only by the 

 co-operation and contributions of many individuals that it can ulti- 

 mately attain any degree of perfection^ The aid, therefore, which is 



necessary for all, I freely solicit 5 and the offerings made to science;! 

 §hall cheerfully accept. 



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