

ADVERTISEMENT. 



IN the composition of this work, the Author has had reference to 

 the most recent authorities on Botany, both European and American. 

 The cuts, it is believed, will be found very accurate, and generally 

 highly finished ; some of them are from original drawings, and oth- 

 ers from the best English Engravings. 



The work is chiefly designed as a school book for the younger 

 classes, but it is hoped, will also be the means of introducing a taste 

 for the science into families where there exists a fondness for the 

 cultivation of ornamental exotics. In the apprehension of the Au- 

 thor, the different subjects are made as simple, and at the same tim^ 

 as comprehensive as the circumstances will allow. It is however 

 hoped that he has not sacrificed science to popularity ; but that 

 while the first has been kept constantly in view, as much facility has 

 been afforded the student, both in respect to arrangement, figures, 

 and explanations, as could reasonably be desired. 



It has appeared to the author, that much interest on the subject of 

 Botany might be excited by connecting with the science, an account 

 of the most essential particulars concerning the culture, and meth- 

 ods of curing the foreign vegetable products in common use, as con- 

 diment or articles of luxury, or necessity, together with a short 

 history of the foreign ornamental plants most frequently seen in 

 sitting rooms, including the origin of their names, their native coun 

 try, and such other notices as might be curious or useful to the cul- 

 tivators. The classes and orders have therefore been in the first 

 place, illustrated in this manner, after which the whole are again 

 illustrated in a tabular form, by the most common North American 

 plants. 



The very concise epitome of Professor Lindley's Natural Sys- 

 tem, (which in some parts is founded on that of Jussieu,) is design- 

 ed more for the purpose of enlarging the student's conceptions of 

 the wonderful regularity and harmony that exists in the works of 

 creation, than in the e\i>ectation of conveying any considerable 

 knowledge of the affinities that have been discovered among the 

 different genera of vegetables. It is hoped, however, that this short 

 illustration will serve to lead some students to the study of Professor 

 Lindley's work, and also, that it will in many instances, assist the 

 learner to discover the names of unknown specimens. 



The Glossary is supposed to contain all the terms requiring expla- 

 nation, or which have not been explained in the body of the work. 



Hartford, Conn, October 1, 1832. 





