

PREFACE. 



I HAVE endeavored to prepare an inexpensive manual which will enable beginners in 

 botany to determine the names of all plants with conspicuous flowers, that may be found 

 growing wild in the Central Valley of California from Visalia to Marysville and through 

 the Coast Ranges from Monterey to Ukiah. Over six hundred species of plants are 

 characterized by descriptions condensed, for the most part, from Vol. I of tho "Califor- 

 nia Botany," and Sereno Watson's "Revision of the North American Liliaccre." Valu- 

 able material has also been obtained from a "Revision of the Eriogonese," by Torrey and 

 Gray, Gray's "Synoptical Flora of North America," and "Gray's Manual of Botany." 



Plants belonging to the Parsnip, Aster, Willow, Oak and Pine Families, are not de- 

 scribed, being mostly too difficult for beginners, or of little interest to them. 



The Introductory Lessons are designed to show the learner how to study the growth of 

 plants, as well as to give such knowledge of their structure as will enable him to under- 

 stand the descriptions in the Flora. 



The " Glossary of Generic and SpecinV Names" will enable the student to make ap- 

 propriate common names for most plants. 



To tho authors, whose works have furnished the materials for this book, is duo the 

 credit for whatever of excellence it may possess; to the compiler, who may, in a 'few 

 cases, have misrepresented these authors, attaches the blame for most of its defects. 



I am indebted for suggestions and criticisms to Prof. E. W. Hilgard, Dr. C. L. Ander- 

 son, Prof. W. H. Brewer and Dr. Asa Gray. To the latter I am especially grateful for 

 his kind interest in my humble work. V. R. 



SAN FRANCISCO, February, 1850. 



