Book names, such as those adopted by botanists for the various 

 species of a genus, hardly come witliin the scope of this work, al- 

 though some such are given. Where there are several plants be- 

 longing to one genus, there is likely to be a good deal of interchang- 

 ing of popular names. In general, however, each name is consider- 

 ed to belong properly to some one species and should be restricted 

 thereto, and in a book of synonyms like this, names must be given 

 as though this were the actual practice. 



Although aside from the main purpose of this work, I have 

 indicated the origin and meaning of many popular names, and I 

 have also given as far as possible, the etymologies of the Latin 

 generic names. 



The principle of double credit for authority of botanical names 

 has been applied whenever practicable. It has not been possible 

 always to ascertain which was the earlier of two specific names. In 

 such cases only the single credit is given. 



Synonyms under the various genera are in the true sense 

 synonyms only when followed by authority. Synonyns "in part" 

 are generic names that, for reasons good or bad, have been applied 

 by botanists to some of the plants of the genus in question. 



In the English names, the orthography of the Century Diction- 

 ary has been given the preference, alternative forms being, how- 

 ever, also recognized, those now obsolete often in parenthesis. 



I have endeavored to include in this enumeration: 1st. All 

 the more important plants used medicinally in our country, in- 

 cluding many which are practically obsolete yet may be sometimes 

 asked for in drug stores. 2nd. Plants of economic value, especially 

 those furnishing important food stuffs. Pasture grasses, however, 

 and many forage plants, as well as the multitude of plants cultivat- 

 ed in gardens and greenhouses for ornament, I have been com- 

 pelled Vjy limit of space to omit. 3rd. Plants indigenous to any 

 part of the United States. The name of every genus of flower- 

 ing plants known to occur in North America, north of Mexico is 

 given, with a brief description and statement of its geographical dis- 

 tribution. Only genera of grasses and of sedges are excepted, this 

 omission giving room to include those of ferns and Lycopods. In 

 each case a statement is made of the number of species found ' 'in 

 U. S." which must be understood to include also those of British 

 America, the number being generally that of the species included in 

 the catalogue recently (1898) published by A. A. Heller, of North 

 American plants North of Mexico. 



