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manifold uses to which plants may be applied, the medicinal and 

 economic virtues they possess, or the noxious qualities, odour, 

 beauty of form, and other prominent peculiarities by which they are 

 distinguished. Wherever this is the case, wherever plants have 

 attracted popular attention, it has given birth to vernacular names. 

 Such names are familiar to thousands, and, while the scientific ap- 

 pellations undergo continued changes, the former descend almost 

 unaltered from generation to generation, and become only extinct 

 when the race that once pronounced them has itself disappeared. 



" In an age like the present, when it is one of the great aims to 

 render science popular, names of such a nature ought to receive due 

 consideration. But it has been far from being so. Many botanists 

 think them of not sufficient importance to be enrolled in the books of 

 science, and though others set a higher value upon them, yet no 

 attempt has ever been made to collect all, and to regulate the hete- 

 rogeneous mass. A well-arranged synopsis of the vernacular with the 

 corresponding scientific names would prove highly useful. It would 

 enable the naturalist to make himself at once acquainted with the 

 most valuable productions of a country, and greatly facilitate his 

 investigations. The medical man, the chemist, the traveller, in fine 

 any one coming in contact with the vegetable kingdom would be 

 equally benefited. By simply asking the native name, they would 

 instantly have the scientific appellation, the key to further inquiries. 

 Occasional mistakes may indeed occur. But these are the exception, 

 not the rule. The vernacular nomenclature is less fallible than it is 

 generally supposed. Tell a Brazilian to show you the Parahiba of 

 his country, and he will point to Simaruba versicolor ; inform a Chi- 

 lenian that you are anxious to see the Pichinilla, and he will take you 

 to Fabiana viscosa ; or ask an Eskimaux to bring the root of the Ma- 

 shu, and he will fetch that of Polygonum viviparum. 



" These considerations led to the compilation of the ' Popular No- 

 menclature of the American Flora,' and I would have completed the 

 task had not other labours detained me, and had not afterwards the 

 conviction been forced upon me that it would be advisable, instead of 

 confining myself to America, to extend the plan, and enumerate the 

 popular names of the plants of the whole world. Though experience 

 has taught me that in an undertaking of this nature perfection can 

 only be reached in the course of centuries and by the combined 

 efforts of many, still I am convinced a certain degree of completeness 

 is attainable. At present, however, I am unable to execute this 

 plan ; want of time and materials prevent me. 



