PREFACE. 



" A PREFACE," says Smellie, author of the " Philosophy of Natural 

 History," "should contain an account of the circumstances and mo- 

 tives which induced an author to write upon that particular subject." 

 The origin of the present volume, may be briefly traced. In the 

 course of some years, devoted in part to the study of Botany, and with 

 the charge of a large class, I found the want of a suitable book for 

 beginners, and prepared for the use of my pupils a sketch, of which 

 the following pages are but the filling up. The pupils were in the 

 practice of copying the manuscript, but it required much time, and 

 some of them expressed a wish that they might have the same in a 

 printed form. With respect to botanical facts, I have no claim to any 

 discoveries, neither have I ventured to make any innovations upon 

 the science itself. The works of Mirbel, Demerson, Roeseau, St. Pier- 

 re, Smith, Thornton, Woodville, Eaton, Torrey, Bigelow, NuttalJ, 

 Elliot, Barton, Bartram, Sumner and Locke ; Encyclopedias and the 



Journal of Science, have been consulted. For the style, the arrange 



iplication of botanical facts to f 

 either with a view of strengthening its reasoning Ihcukiep, or of in- 



ment of the work, and the application of botanical facts to the mind, 



spiring devout affection, I consider myself as responsible. I have 

 not intentionally copied from any work, without giving credit to the 

 author. The History of Botany is, in part, translated from Mirbel's 

 Siemens de Botanique. 



The description of the genera and species of plants, with the 

 Natural Orders of Linnieus and Jussieu, have been fiTrnished me by 

 Professor Eaton, to whom my thanks for this, and other kind office?, 

 are justly due. 



It has been customary among botanical writers, to consider under 

 separate heads, the phy&iology, anatomy, and classification of plants. 

 This division, although proper in minute investigations unon physi- 

 ology and anatomy, seems not well adapted for a school book. I 

 have not therefore attempted to keep the departments separate. 



This work has been prepared in intervals from duties connected 

 with this institution, and while instructing in such branches of edu- 

 cation, as required the best faculties of my mind ; it is larger than 

 was at first designed ; it may be urged, that remarks not strictly 

 connected with me subject are introduced, and that the substance of 

 the book might be much condensed. In answer to this objection, I 

 would remark, that from experience in teaching others, and from 

 observation of the operations of my own mind, I am led to believe 

 that books most remarkable for a concise style, are not the most fa- 

 vourable for the developement of the mind. If a book is to be com- 

 mitted to memory, every word, member of a sentence, or idea, not 

 absolutely essential, should be excluded ; but this fact with regard 

 to education seems now to be generally understood, that the memory 



