PREFA.CE. vu 



Class. The same remark mny be ir.aJe in velation to some other genera, whicb the later Botanists have al- 

 ready transferred thither,— although they have fewer than twenty stamina,— such as Agrimonia, Cuphca, 

 &c. and it might probably be extended with propriety still further; so as to comprehend JVleZastoma, and 

 indeed every other genus in which the stamina (and the petals, when present,) are inserted regularly upon 

 the inner edge, or rim, of a concave monophyllous perianth. It was from this view of the subject, that I 

 was induced to propose the name of Calyca!VDRIA, as being more appropriate, and correct. This term 

 is expressive of the true character of the Class; and is sustained by analogy in the Linnjean name, 

 Gynandria. 



Every Botanist will at once perceive the nature of the suggestion,— and will form his own cpinioa 

 whether or not it is worthy to be entertained, or considered. Very probably the old name, having been 

 imposed by the great founder of the Sexual System, and consecrated by long usage, will centinue to be 

 preferred— although, like the name October for the Tsnth month, it does not express what it means. Certain 

 it is, however, that a veneration for high authority has not deterred the Moderns from a&o/js/iiwg whole 

 Linncnan Classes, whatever eflect it may have in preventing the modification of Linnaan Names! But 

 let the decision, in this in.stance, be what it may, it is deemed unnecessary to enlarge upon a proposition so 

 obvious in its character. I shall content myself with having respectfully submitted the idea; and will dis- 

 miss the subject without further remark, — ex'cept merely to observe, that I have placed this Class after 

 Polyandria, for the sake of keeping in an uninterrupted series all the Classes which are founded upon thfc 

 number of the stamina. 



I cannot in justice conclude without acknowledging the obligations I am under to a few botanical friends 

 for their kind and liberal aid, during the progress of this Essay. To the Rev. Mr. Schweijtitz, in par- 

 ticular, I am indebted for information, which was of the greatest advantage to me in determining many of 

 our plants. That gentleman was so obliging as to examine the greater portion of my doubtful specimens; 

 and to favor me wiih his opinions, — and many interesting remarks,— of which I have been careful to avail 

 mj'self. 



My lamented friend, the late Doctor "Wij.i.ia:m Baldwix, (who was born and educated in this vicin- 

 ity,) afforded me much important assistance during the earlier period of my researches; and indicated the 

 localities of a number of our rarer plants. Had his valuable life been longer spared, my catalogue would 

 doubtless have been less imperfect— »rot to say more worthy of the notice of the cultivators of American 

 Botany. To him I submitted my suggestion, relative to changing the name, and location, of the Linnasan 

 Class, Icosandria; and it was his decided approbation of the proposition, which emboldened me to present 

 it to the votaries of the Science. 



To my friends Zaccheus Com.it^s, Esquire, and Mr. D. Steinhauer, of Philadelphia, I am also 

 under many obligations, for their kindness and attention, in examining specimens, and otherwise aiding me 

 in my investigations. 



After this catalogue went to press, I had the good fortune to commence an occasional correspondence 

 with that distinguished Naturalist, Professor Totirey, of West Point; which correspondence has, to 

 me, been a source of instruction and pleasure— alloyed only by a regret that I had not earlier enjoyed that 

 advantage. For the information, and speciivians, received from him, I beg leave here to offer my sincere 

 and grateful acknowledgments. 



'^ " It may he satisfactory to those at a distance, who may honor this catalogue with a glance at its 

 content?, to state, that the Borough of JVesl-Chestir,— in nnd around which the enumerated plants were 

 collected, — is the County Town, and Seat of Justice of Chester county, Pennsylvania. It is situated about 

 two miles East of the Eastern branch of Brandy wine Creek,— and about three miles. North Easterly, from 

 the junction of the two main branches of that stream; five miles South of the great Limestone Valley, 

 which extends from the Schuylkill to the Susquehanna; sixteen miles North AVesterly from Wilmington, 

 Delaware; and twenty three miles West of the City of Philadelphia. The ground, on which the Village 

 stands, is high,— being, in fact, the dividing ridge between the waters of the Brandy wine, and Chester Creek; 

 and the face of the adjacent country is somewhat hilly, and irregular. The soil is mostly a stiff loam — 

 sometimes quite clayey— and generally in a highly improved state of culture. About two miles North of 

 West-Chester, there is an elevated slaty district, or stripe of land, from two to three miles wide, which 

 runs South of, and parallel with, the Great Valley, — extending from N. E. to S. W. — known by the 

 name of " the Barrens." Immediately South of the Slaty Barrens, is a vein of Serpentine Rock, which 

 occasionally rises in rugged, broken spurs, that are extremely sterile; and upon which are to be found some 

 plants that seem to be peculiar to that kind of soil — such as the Talinum, Scleria, Atheropogon, Arenaria 

 atricta, &c.— One of the largest of those Serpentine banks, or ridges, called " the Barren Ridge,'' occurs 

 about a mile N. E. of the Borough. 



