INTRODUCTION. V 



The culture and propagation is given at the end of each genus, while the culinary and 

 agricultural plants, and those employed in medicine or used for economical purposes, 

 together with the fruits, are treated at large under their respective species. 



According to the system now universally followed of natural affinity, all plants are 

 separated into two great divisions, namely, the Vasculares and Cellulares. The first of these 

 divisions is again separated into two classes, the Dicotyledonece and the Monocotyledonece, 

 distinctions which refer to the number of cotyledons of the embryo. The second division 

 also comprehends two classes, the Foliacece and the Apliyllce, characterised, as their names 

 import, by their leafy or leafless habit. The first class, Dicotyledonece, is divided into four 

 subclasses, namely, the Thalamiflorce, Calyciflorce, Corolliflorce, and Monochlamydece ; of 

 which the three first are distinguished by a double floral envelope, that is, by their flowers 

 having both a calyx and corolla ; and also by the insertion or situation of the stamens ; while 

 the fourth is distinguished by a simple floral envelope, which, by later writers, has been 

 denominated a perianth, and frequently rivals a corolla in its colour. For farther details 

 on these points the reader is referred to the first pages of the present volume. In the sub- 

 class Thalamiflorce the orders or families are subdivided into four groups or sections, 

 depending on the number of the carpels and the situation of the placentas, see pages 2. 

 127. 379. and 814 of the present volume. By attending to these particulars the student will 

 readily acquire a knowledge of the class, subclass, order, genus, and, finally, the species, to 

 which any plant belongs. A beginner should first ascertain the volume comprising the sub- 

 class in which the plant he wishes to know is included, by dissecting a flower and observing 

 the situation or insertion of the stamens ; as, for instance, if a plant belongs to the Dicoty- 

 ledonefe, and possesses both calyx and corolla, and has its stamens inserted in the receptacle, 

 the plant will be found in the First Volume ; if the stamens are fixed in the calyx, or in 

 a disk which adheres to the calyx, in the Second Volume ; if in the tube of the corolla, in 

 the Third Volume, which will also contain those plants possessing a simple floral envelope, 

 with the stamens inserted in it. The second class, Monocotyledonece, comprising the Grasses, 

 Reeds, Palms, Lilies, Pine-apples, Orchideous and Scitammeous plants, and all those having 

 the veins of their leaves simple (see page \.f. 1. 7-8.} and not branched, as in the Dicoty- 

 ledonefe (see page 1. f. 1. s.J will be found in the Fourth Volume ; which will also 

 include the Ferns, the only family of the Cellulares, or Cryptogamia, which will be included 

 in the work. Therefore, when the name and history of any particular plant are wanted, the 

 grand division to which it belongs should be ascertained first ; next the class, sub-class, 

 order, and genus, and, finally, the species ; for which purpose the numerous wood-cuts 

 inserted throughout the work will be found of great assistance, as giving the peculiar features 

 of the plants contained in the different orders. 



