PREFACE 



J. B, LIPPINCOTT & CO.'S NEW EDITION OF MRS. LINCOLN 

 PHELPS'S "BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS." 



EUTAW PLACE, BALTIMORE, MD., July 15th, 1863. 



THE author has seen with regret that the study of Botany ib 

 Primary Schools, and Juvenile Classes in Seminaries and Insti- 

 tutes, has of late become less popular than formerly. She would 

 urge that when made interesting, as it may be, this study i? 

 pleasing to the pupil, and useful in its effects on the mind, lead 

 ing to the love of flowers, to healthful exercise in collecting them, 

 and by the beautiful analytical process of classification, teaching 

 a practical logic. 



But it is useless to attempt to interest Beginners in Botany by 

 presenting to them the abstruse principles of physiology, and 

 wearisome research into the various supposed, but doubtful al- 

 liances among the vegetable tribes. Under the attractive name 

 of the " Natural System," learned Botanists have brought to- 

 gether most unnatural combinations and unsystematic arrange- 

 ments. Let Beginners be satisfied with simple steps at first: may 

 there be found among such some future Linnaeus, who will gather 

 up the disjointed fragments of the Natural System into one har- 

 monious organization ! 



Better that the young should know something of plants, even 

 though they should not become learned Botanists, than that this 

 great portion of God's works should be to them as one vast sealed 

 book. Our senses may enjoy the odour and the sight of flowers 

 they may appeal to our emotions as festal or funeral append- 

 ages, but God made plants for us to study, as well as to enjoy 

 and love. 



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