PREFACE. ix 



and W. Y., G3, refer to the 8tli table of illustrations and 

 the 62d genus of the order in Gray's, and 5th table and 

 63d genus in Wood's manual. 



In preparing this work, I have freely availed myself of 

 the labors of my predecessors — Chapman, Gray, the 

 Hookers, Torrey, Wood, and others. Much of what they 

 have laid down is stored up in my memory, or converted, 

 as it were, into my own mind ; so I may have used, here 

 and there, their very words, without realizing the fact. 

 Again, in botany, the descriptive part particularly, certain 

 modes of writing have become so general that originality 

 would be deemed absurd. 



Having said thus much, I may be permitted to state, that 

 of the 800 genera laid down in the key, I had myself 

 analyzed and represented by drawings over 500 before I 

 ventured to prepare this book ; and most of the rest I have 

 examined also, either in the fresh or dry state. 



To any professional botanist who may suggest improve- 

 ments and corrections, I shall be indebted. 



In calling the book " Practical Botany," I hoped to in- 

 dicate that it is planned to gratify practical needs. 



May this book lead the young botanist through the in- 

 tricacies of our flowery wildernesses, as Ariadne's ball of 

 twine led Theseus through Dsedalus's labyrinth ! 



