32 BOTANY OF LA SALLE COUNTY. 



in which the species differ from others. 



The figures g-iven with most of the species refer to 

 the plant either in flower or in fruit. The terms 

 larg-e, small, tall, low, &c , are to be understood with 

 reference, to that of the family or g-enus. What would be 

 small for a grape leaf would be of mammoth propor- 

 tions for the leaves of clover. 



For instance on pag-e 9 we find Clematis which is 

 followed by a description of the g-enus. This is follow- 

 ed by a description of the species. This is followed by 

 C. Virg-iniana Clematis Virg-iniana. Flowers, W. 

 (white.) J. Augf. (July and Aug-ust), that is, flowers 

 throug-h July and Augfust. Damp places, that is, 

 grows in damp places; not common, that is, not found 

 in many places. Sometimes figures are use.d alone 

 without the word hig-h as 25 ft. (25 feet high). The 

 first part of a description applies to the stem unless 

 otherwise stated. It will be borne in mind that the 

 descriptions of this work make no claim to being- scien- 

 tific. Their object is to direct the attention of the 

 reader to those features of a plant which enable him 

 to distinguish it from others. If we have accomplished 

 this we have attained our purpose. We have at- 

 tempted to be clear, to use as few words as possible, 

 to g-ive the student just the information wanted and 

 yet not to frig-hten him by the needless display of our 

 wisdom or overwhelm him by the profoundity of our 

 discussion of the mysteries of nature. We have writ- 

 ten for plain thinking- people and such we hope will 

 find our work suited to their needs. 



The word "variable" often follows a description 

 meaning- that the plant in one or more respects may 

 be found to differ from the description. The form of 

 the leaves may be somewhat different indeed one 

 scarcely ever finds two leaves even on the same plant 



