Asa Gray : His Life and Work. 343 



TO 



JOHN TORllEY, M.D., 

 Corresponding member of the Linnsean Society, &c., 



THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOK, 



In grateful acknowledgment of the friendship which has honored 



and the counsel which lias aided him 



from the commencement of his botanical pursuits. 



The last edition was published in 1867. This also bears 

 testimony of his continued love and hearty friendship for 

 Dr. Torrey, in the following dedicatory note : 



JOHN TORREY, L.L.D. 



Almost twenty years have passed since the first edition of this 

 work was dedicated to you, more than thirty, since, as your 

 pupil, I began to enjoy the advantage of being associated with 

 you in botanical pursuits, and in a lasting friendship. The flow 

 of time has only deepened the sense of gratitude due to you from 

 your attached friend, AsA Gkay. 



Cambridge, May 30, 186*7. 



This was characteristic of Asa Gray he was a steadfast 

 friend, giving and winning aifection wherever he went, 

 always acknowledging the helpfulness of others, and often 

 magnifying such assistance. 



His "Field, Forest, and Garden Botany," published in 

 1868, is an admirable guide for the beginner for determin- 

 ing the common cultivated plants as well as the native ones. 

 In order to bring it within the compass of a common-school 

 text-book, it was necessary to condense the descriptions of 

 the wild plants, and to leave out altogether the most rare 

 and obscure ones. This is no detriment to the beginner,- 

 rather an advantage, when he has the Manual to follow. 

 Even with all its condensation it contains descriptions of 

 2650 species, belonging to 947 genera. And the "Lessons 

 in Botany and Vegetable Physiology," which preceded it, 

 with over three hundred original illustrations from Nature 

 by Isaac Sprague, has often been re-written and improved 

 until made so perfect that seemingly no other book could 

 be made that would be so admirably adapted to our needs. 



We must not overlook two other charming little books, 

 "How Plants Grow," first published in 1858, and "How 

 Plants Behave," in 1872. These Avere written for young 

 people ; but many grown people have greatly enjoyed them 

 and drawn inspiration from their pages. 



