^ PREFACE. 



described in popular language, with much spirit and considerable acumen. His book 

 includes an account of two hundred and seventy-seven trees and shrubs, and a fciv 



original dcscriptions= 



The next work devoted to American trees was published in Gottingen, in 1787, 

 by r. A. J. von Wangenheim, a Hessian officer in the employ of the king of Eng- 

 land, who fought in the war of the Revolution, and found opportunity in the pauses 

 of the conflict to study our trees Avith reference to their value for introduction into 

 the forests of Germany. Wangenhcim described one hundred and sixty-eight trees 

 and shrubs, illustrating his work wdth thirty-one plates of seventy-two rude figures. 



The next book Avhich appeared upon American trees was devoted to the Oaks. 

 It was published in Paris, in 1801, and was entitled Hisioire des Chencs de fAwc- 

 Tique. The name of Andre Michaux is printed on the title-page as the author of 

 this classical work, but there is reason to believe it was really from the pen of the 

 distinguished French botanist, Achille Richard. Michaux was a liardy and cour- 

 ageous explorer, with excellent powers of observation and great industry- and perse- 

 verance. He possessed, hoAvever, little literary skill, and the account of our Oaks, 

 like the Flora of North America, which also bears his name, was a work beyond his 

 ability. Twenty of the Oaks of eastern America are systematically described and 

 very accurately figured in this book, which was the first to give any real idea of 

 the character and value of these trees. 



Michaux resided in America during thirteen years as botanical agent of the 

 French government, and traveled here more widely than any of his botanical prede- 

 cessors. He was accompanied in many of his journeys by his son, F. A. Michaux, 

 Avho afterwards wrote the best book on the trees of North America Avhich has yet 

 appeared. It was published in Paris, in 1810, and was illustrated Avith Iiandsomely- 

 colored plates. It includes one hundred and fifty-five American trees, the descrip- 

 tions being based on observations carefully made in the forest, and carried on for 

 several years. An American edition soon appeared, and this was foIIoAvcd by tAvo 

 American reprints, the latest bearing the date of 1859. 



The work of the younger Michaux covered only the trees found in the region 

 east of the Mississippi River and in some parts of western Louisiana. It was sup- 

 plemented in 1842 by three volumes from the pen of Thomas Nuttall, a distin- 

 guished English naturalist, w^ho devoted many years to exploring the flora of the 

 North American continent. Nuttall described one hundred and nine American trees, 

 mcluding a large number of West Indian species which had been found a few years 

 earlier on the islands of the Florida coast, and several trees from the interior of 

 the contment and from the northwest coast, Avhich the naturalists attached to the 

 first transcontinental expeditions and the European botanists Avho early visited the 

 Oregon Territory had brought to light. Nuttall's supplement Avas hastily prepared, 

 and IS very mferior in its descriptions and illustrations to Michanx's great work. 

 A second edition was issued with the third reprint of Michaux's Sylva, under the 

 general titleof The Sylva of AW/A Amenca, the only illustrated descriptive work upon 

 iN ortli American trees Avhich has yet appeared. 



