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PREFACE. 
THE science of botany is as eminently progressive as it is delightful and 
ennobling. By recent discoveries it has been established on the basis of 
inductive philosophy, and elevated almost to the rank of an exact science. 
The theory of the floral structure which refers each organ to the principle 
of the leaf, now enters into almost every department of botany, and gives 
a new aspect to the whole; revealing more clearly than any other discov- 
ery has ever done, the beauty and simplicity of the plan on which Creative 
Power is exerted in the production of the countless forms of vegetable 
existence. 
The present treatise contains, first, the Elements of Botany, according 
to the latest authorities, written in the form of simple propositions, briefly 
Hlustrated, and broken into short paragraphs, with direct reference to the 
convenience of the learner. Brief as it is, it is hoped that it will be found 
to embody all the established principles of the science contained in former 
school treatises, together with those newly discovered principles in Organ- 
ography and Physiology, by which botany has been really enriched and 
advanced.* 
The Flora is adapted particularly to that section of the United States 
which lies north of the Capitol, that is, of the 39th parallel, including 
essentially the States lying north of the Ohio river and Maryland.+ It 
comprehends all the Phenogamia, or flowering plants, with the Ferns, &c. 
which have hitherto been discovered and described as indigenous in these 
States, together with the naturalized exotics, and those which are more 
generally cultivated either as useful or ornamental. The descriptions are 
* The student who aims at the highest attainments will by no means rest satisfied with mere 
outlines, such as our limits here admit of. It affords us pleasure to be able to recommend to all 
such as would advance beyond first principles, the full and elaborate “Text Book’ of Dr. Asa 
Gray, —an American work of the highest merit. 
+ With some exceptions, therefore, this Flora will answer for the adjacent States of Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and the Canadas. 
1* 
