INTRODUCTION. 



The public are how presented with the second volume of the 

 "American Flora," which is intended as a standard work, founded 

 upon the Lin^n System ; its correctness in name, classification, de- 

 scription, order, character, general and specific ; medical properties 

 and uses of the various plants and herbs of which it treats, has re- 

 ceived the highest encomiums from some of our most eminent bot- 

 anists and physicians ; and thus from the favorable reception which 

 it has hitherto met with, entitles the author to conclude that his 

 labors have not been altogether unprofitable. And in consequence 

 of a more than anticipated demand for the first volume, the pub- 

 lishers have been induced to make a large additional outlay, that 

 the present volume may be marked with additional embellishments, 

 correctly displaying the natural appearance of the plant or flower. 

 The whole work, when complete, will be one of the richest gems 

 in the cabinet of modern literature and art. It is poetically said 

 " there is a language in flowers." With what delight do we listen 

 to the rustling of the forest trees, when moved by the gentle breeze 

 of the summer's gale ! With what pleasure do we inhale the varied 

 and sweet-scented odors of the flowers of the garden and the 

 fields, and with what a pure feeling of admiration does the eye 

 dwell upon their brilliant, soft, clear and variegated tints ! In truth, 

 there is a language in them, that conveys to the refined and cultiva- 

 ted mind, a joy as uncontaminated as the source is pure and inex- 

 haustible. The names, history and habits of these delightful whis- 

 perers, is a study of the highest and most pleasing description; and 



Vol. ii — iii 



