PREFACE TO PART XII. 



In Part XII AMERICAN WOODS we have a continuation of the 

 trees of the Atlantic and Central States, and several rare and par- 

 ticularly interesting ones are included. We regret that unavoidable 

 circumstances have delayed its appearance considerably more than 

 anticipated, when we closed the work on Part XI, but such has been 

 the course of fate. 



We have thought it advisable to include in this Part the same 

 Key based upon Leaves which appeared in Part XI, as it covers also 

 the species of this Part. 



The desirability of general indexes, both vernacular and botanical, 

 covering all of the series of AMERICAN WOODS to date, has become 

 the more apparent as the work has progressed, and we have prepared 

 such indexes for the close of the present volume (pp. 57 to 64). 

 Following them (p. 65) we give a brief announcement of our other 

 lines, thinking they may be of interest to those who may desire to 

 form a more intimate knowledge of botanical and other characters 

 or of wood-technology. 



For courtesies which have been of material assistance in the field- 

 work, in collecting the woods for Part XII, we wish to mention with 

 gratitude Prof. Wm. Trelease, Director of the Missouri Botanical 

 Garden, whose ever interest in the progress of AMERICAN WOODS, 

 is a source of pleasure and encouragement to its author. We grate- 

 fully acknowledge, too, assistance kindly rendered by Prof. C. D. 

 Beadle, Mr. T. B. Harbison, Dr. K M. Glatfelter, Mr" G. W. Letter- 

 man, Mr. A. Lincoln Hough, Mr. Francis Kiefer and Mr. H. A. 

 Brinkerhoff. 



It is our purpose now to take up the interesting subtropical trees 

 of Florida. Many of them range extensively through the West Indies, 

 Mexico and even Central and South America. Several of them are 

 of great commercial importance, though as the chief source of supply 

 is within the tropics few people think of them as trees found native 

 within the L'nited States. While engaged in this work.it is our pur- 

 pose, as heretofore, to make photographs of such scenes and objects 

 as we may find particularly illustrative of habits of growth and other 

 characteristic features of the various trees. 



LOWVILLE, K Y., Nov. 18, 1911. 



