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PREFACE. 



The SEVENTH in the Series of FIRST BOOKS OP NATURAL 

 HISTORY, comprises the Elements of Botany. 



This subject is deeply interesting, useful, and consequently 

 popular, which may be readily inferred from the great number 

 of books published on this branch of Natural Science. Whether 

 the little volume now presented will find favour with the public, 

 among the many that have been well received, time will show. It 

 is brief, and I have attempted to make it clear to beginners. 

 The explanations and etymologies of technical words are given 

 as they occur, either in the text, or in foot notes, and in many, 

 if not in all cases, the pronunciation of these words has been 

 designated by accents. When it occurs, the Greek omega has 

 been marked thus (6), and italics have been substituted for 

 Greek characters, because, it is presumed, many who may use 

 this volume are unacquainted with the dead languages. An ample 

 glossary has also been appended. 



Besides the work of Messrs. Edwards and Comte, which forms 

 the skeleton of this, I have freely consulted the writings of 

 Lindley, Loudon, Smith, Gray, Reed, and others, and as freely 

 appropriated whatever seemed useful to us in carrying out the 

 design of forming an accurate, brief, and simple treatise on the 

 Elements of Botany, suitable for beginners, whether young or 



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