(5 PREFACE. 



thoughts of God, habits of mental activity, strength of judgment, and 

 decision of character ; and, moreover, to do all this by means of a study 

 whose path, in a double sense, is strown with flowers, then is the study 

 of Botany desirable; and that labor is not in vain which is bestowed 

 upon the preparation of a work designed, like the present, for primary 

 classes, from the ages of ten to fourteen. 



As the title implies, we have aimed to represent to the eye nearly every 

 subject or form treated of, or described in these Lessons. But, notwith- 

 standing the copiousness of these illustrations, neither the teacher nor the 

 pupil will be satisfied to rely upon their aid alone. Nature alone can 

 afford the proper illustrations in the study of Nature's works, and it is 

 only by comparison with the living specimen that eithjr the picture or 

 the description becomes intelligible. Therefore let specimens in unlimited 

 number accompany every botanical recitation. 



Most of the figures are original. Others have been derived from Maout,, 

 Payer, Richard, Balfour, Lindley, and a few, by permission, from Darl- 

 ington's " ^Yeeds and Useful Plants." 



Finally, to the children and youth of our country, gathered in schools 

 of every name, this liumble volume is dedicated, with confident belief that 

 it will prove to many of them a source of intellectual and moral culture 

 as well as of pure and rational delight. 



Bkooklyk, N. Y., February 23, 1863. 



BOTANICAL APPARATUS. 

 The Publishers have recently provided and have on sale a set of apparatus of the most 

 approved form for the use of the student in hotanical pursuits, and as described in the Class- 

 Book, page 15. It consists of a km'fe-ti'owel for dig.^ing and cutting specimens, a inicroscojie 

 and tweezers for analysis, a tin-box for preserving them fresh, and a j/rcss for drying them. 

 The Set, securely packed, will be sent by Express to order, at a moderate price. 



IN PRESS. 

 " The Botanical Index,'' a work for Schools and Seminarfes, altogether neto and ^7ef (<'iar, 

 in which the study of the entire flora of the country and city is reduced to the last degree 

 of simplicity and precision. Its use will lighten the labors of the teacher and add still new 

 pleasures to botanical pursuits for every one. It will be issued ia June or July. 



Also, in the domain of Science, the Publishers offer 

 Steele's 14 Weeks' Course in Astronomy. 



" " " Chemistry (with Apparatus). 



" " " Philosophy (in Press). 



Most interesting and valuable Text Books. 



