4 PREFACE. 



Kegarding the Linnsean system as the key to botanical science, 

 the Author has in the beginning sought to insti-uct the student in 

 its use ; while in the temple to which it gives access, will be 

 found exhibited in distinct lineaments the panorama of the 

 natural system. 



This work professes to be of itself a lotanical library, suffi- 

 ciently fall in each department for all purposes of a class-book, 

 or for the private student. Such was the object proposed in its 

 first publication — as such it has been extensively and generally 

 used throughout the United States. 



Tlie following extracts from a letter of the Hon. "Wm. Darling- 

 ton, M. D., to the Author, show the opinion of one of the first 

 botanists of the age as to the respective merits of the Linnsean 

 system and the Natural Method : — 



"I entirely concur with you in considering the lAnnoean meth- 

 od as the easiest and most agreeable guide to the first steps of 

 the learner, and would always so employ it. But as it only in- 

 troduces one to what may be called a sjpeahing acquaintance 

 with plants, — merely enabling the student to call them hy name 

 when he meets with them, without teaching any thing of their 

 real character., or presenting any inducement to inquire after 

 their relations, — I incline to think that all those who wish to 

 make any substantial progress in the knowledge of the vegetable 

 creation, should pay an early attention to those essential features 

 and characteristics which enable the attentive observer to group 

 kindred plants into natural families. There is a gratification in 

 tracing the affinities between kindred individuals, quite equal to 

 the pleasure of detecting the discrepancies which serve to dis- 

 tinguish them ; and it is the intelligent contemplation of hoth 

 these aspects of the floral kingdom which constitutes the delight 

 of the true Botanist. 



" From these remarks, you will perceive that my own opinion, 

 gradually maturing under the observations and reflections of 

 nearly half a century, is in favor of employing the Linncean 

 method for initiating young heginners., and awakening a taste 

 for the study of plants ; but that the natural arrangement should 

 be held up as the only one compatible with a thorough under- 

 standing and truly scientific view of the vegetable kingdom. 

 Such was the doctrine of the immortal Swede himself; and such 

 I understand to be your own opinion of the intrinsic merits of 

 the two systems. 



" I think your work well calculated to attract beginners, and 

 especially young ladies, to the study, by conducting them in the 

 most agreeable way to the vestibule of the botanical temple, and 

 that is all that any class-hooJc professes to do, or can do." 



