vi PREFACE. 



I have takeii some pains to collect tlie various Common Names by which the plants are designated, in this 

 part of the country; for it seems to me that the very uncertainty which attends them, renders it important 

 that they should be carefully enumerated. The same plants are known by different names, in different 

 neighborhoods,— and the same names are often applied to very different plants. Indeed there is scarcely 

 any tning more vague and confused, than the vulgar botanical nomenclature, — a circumstance which some- 

 times leads to serious mistakes, in relation to plants possessed of active properties: and I apprehend there 

 is no mode so likely to obviate the difficulty— if not to correct the evil — as a complete list of those local 

 appellations. 



The time ^f flowering, given in this catalogue, is intended to designate the period when the flowers begin 

 to open. From the observations of twenty years, I find the range in the date of their appearance, —especial- 

 ly in our spring flowers, — is about ten days: and I have accordingly noted the beginning, 7nsiZf?/c, and latter 

 end of each month, with reference to such range. Under the impression that it would be infcresting, and 

 indeed of practic-il utility to the cultivators of plants, I have annexed to the time of flowerinp:, the time at 

 which Ihe fruit is matured, so farasi have had occasion to observe the fact: leaving a blank where the 

 date has escaped notice, to be filled by future observations. 



In givinj^the habitat, my object was first to mention the general character of the soil, or situation; and 

 then to refer to some particular locality, in which I had found the plant— unless it were so common as to 

 render such reference superfluous. To these I have subjoined the usual size, or height of the plant, with 

 us; and also the prevailing color of its flowers. 



As the knowledge of natural objects is chiefly desirable on account of ibe'ir properties,— vrhether useful 

 or pernicious, — I have briefly noticed such of our plants as are endowed with either character; — more par- 

 ticularly those which are known) or reputed, to possess valuable properties> in medicine, rural economy, 

 and the arts. 



To the catalogue of our native and naturalized plants, I have added an vl;)p«wfJ(r, containing a list of 

 thpse which are cultivated, in this vicinity, for the sake of some useful property. My object in this was, 

 in the first place, to afford an idea of the number and character of those plants which engage the attention 

 of our practical farmers, and gardeners, at the present day, as articles of utility. It seemed to me, that by 

 throwing them into a distinct groupe, it would exhibit a somewhat interesting view of the actual extent of 

 our vegetable culture, as well as indicate the plants which are now deemed most valuable, or best adapted 

 to our soil and climate. In the next place, I thought it might be gratifying to some of our young Agricul- 

 turists, who are attending to Natural Science, to have the objects of their annual care and labor presented 

 to them in a botanical point of view; and that it might possibly induce them to acquire sucli additional 

 knowledge of those objects as would lead to beneficial results, in practice. I am i)articularly desirous that 

 our young Farmers should blend a portion of scientific research and observation with the labors of the 

 field. So far from its being idle, or unprofitable, 1 sincerely believe it would promote their most substan- 

 tial interestsp—wliilst I am very sure it would add to their stock of rational pleasures, and elevate the char- 

 acter of their profession. 



Having said thus much in relation to the origin and general design of this Catalogue, it remains to add a 

 few words touching a circumstance which will probably subject me to the charge of temerity, if not cl 

 presumption. I allude to the change that I have ventured to suggest, in the name and position of the Lin- 

 nsean Class, Icosandria. I am by no means friendly to idle or wanton innovations in scientific arrange- 

 ments, or language: nor would I have risked the imputation, in this instance, if I had been engaged in an3- 

 thing of more consequence than a mere local Catalogue. But while it still remains in some degree uncer- 

 tain how the Classes of the Sexual System will be finally settled, I thought there could be no great harm in 

 suggesting, in such a performance as this, an alteration which seemed to me to be an improvement. 



The Class Icosandria is unquestionably a highly natural one — of which the name, given by LinnEEU?, 

 conveys no accurate idea: and yet his attention to the jjojuc, evidently led him to exclude from it some 

 plants which, in my opinion, ought to belong to it. It is called Icosandria, because the greater number of 

 the Cenera belonging to it have about twenty stamina. But this is by no mean* the essential character of 

 the Class; for Linnspus himself says, "Pro characters tamen non assumendus est numerus, cum omnes 

 ]iolyandri staminibus parieli interno calycis inse7-tis (non vero reccptaculo) htic amandcndi s?nf ." It is 

 the insertion of the staMna upon the calyx which marks the true character of the Class: and I humbly con- 

 ceive that all hermaphrodite plants thus characterized ought to be referred to the same Class, without 

 regard to the number of the stamina. Hence I can perceive no good reason why the genus Ribes, which has 

 but yJtie stamina, may not be introduced into this natural assemblage, as well as £ugenia, Rosa, and some 

 others, in which the stamina are very numerous. Neither of those Genera have any pretension to the 

 ua7ne Icosandria, strictly speaking: j-et they perlainly ail sgrce in the essential characteristic of the 



