PREFACE 
the plant which he or she meets for the first time. Its specific, or, 
if the term may be used, its baptismal name may have to be sought 
in the genealogical record, the handbook, but the student already 
knows its family and its relations to the family by its general 
character. 
In the preparation of the work I have made use of my very large 
private herbarium, a collection which has been the work of.many 
years, but I have had constantly before me the works of the latest 
German, French and English authorities and I have as constantly 
consulted the American works of Professor Wood, Dr. Asa Gray 
and that by Messrs. Britton and Brown. Indeed, without the aid 
of this last named invaluable work the preparation of this book 
would have been difficult. For numerous data, including locality, 
season of blooming and other necessary knowledge, I am greatly 
indebted to this authority. In the final revision of the manu- 
script the New Gray Manual has been freely consulted. 
The illustrations have been drawn by myself, mostly from the 
fresh living plants, but a small number of the drawings I have been 
obliged to make from the dried specimens in my herbarium. These 
drawings illustrate a very large proportion of our native plants, 
including nearly every species that the amateur is likely to meet. 
The book includes two parts. The first part is an outline of 
structural botany intended to be sufficient to enable a beginner to 
use with advantage the second and main part. 
The work has been the occupation of the hours of recreation 
from professional labor, a relaxation from the exacting demands 
of every-day routine of surgical practice and of the writing of 
professional books and papers, occupations which have filled the 
larger measure of the time at my disposal. It has, however, been 
an agreeable task to turn from the severe tension of professional 
pursuits to the refreshing attractions of this delightful branch of 
natural science. 
I am indebted to Prof. Charles H. Peck, the New York State 
Botanist, for his kindness in carefully examining the manuscript 
before it was placed in the hands of the printer and to the pub- 
lishers for the excellent manner in which the book has been brought 
out. 
GrorcE T. STevEns. 
New York, 
1910, 
