viii 
PREFACE. 
I have been particular to dispose the species of every extensive 
genus under sections or subgenera (§), subsections ( *), and sub¬ 
ordinate divisions (-*-,++, &c.), founded on obvious characters; 
and, whenever there are two or more species under a divis¬ 
ion, I have italicized some of the leading distinctions (after the 
manner of Koch's Flora Germanica), so that they may at once 
catch the student’s eye. The full-face type, in which the names 
of the genera and species are printed, affords a similar facility, by 
rendering them very conspicuous. To aid in their pronunciation, 
I have not only marked the accented syllable, but have followed 
Loudon’s mode of indicating what is called the long sound of the 
vowel by the grave ('), and the short sound by the acute accent- 
mark ('). In respect to this, my friend, Mr. Folsom, has oblig¬ 
ingly rendered most important assistance. 
The few abbreviations which require it are explained in the 
Introduction (on p. xxxix.). 
Although our indigenous and naturalized plants only are de¬ 
scribed, yet I have generally mentioned the principal cultivated 
representatives at the close of their proper genus or family. 
Finally, in order to render this Manual complete and sufficient 
in itself for the study of our plants, I have prefixed a concise 
Introduction to Botany, both Structural and Systematical, which, 
with the annexed Glossary and Index combined, should serve to 
convey the requisite elementary knowledge of the science, and to 
explain all the technical terms usually employed in botanical de¬ 
scriptions. Very many of these terms, however, are not used at 
all in the body of the work ; for I have throughout endeavoured 
to smooth the beginner’s way by discarding many an unneces¬ 
sary technical word or phrase, and by casting the language some¬ 
what in a vernacular mould, — perhaps at some sacrifice of brev¬ 
ity, but not, I trust, of the precision for which botanical language 
