IV PREFACE. 



Another illustration of the absurdity of the common 

 mode of studying Botany may be given. What would 

 be thought of the wisdom or the practicability of com- 

 mitting to memory in alphabetical order the names from 

 a Directory of all the individuals belonging to a city 

 like New York, Philadelphia, or Boston? The pro- 

 ject would be thought ridiculous? But let a person 

 moving into one of these cities engage in business and 

 he will very soon, as a matter of course, become ac- 

 quainted with the inhabitants, from his daily intercourse 

 with them, at least, so far as there is need of acquaint- 

 ance. In this way students should learn Botany. 

 Commence with vegetable physiology and the scientific 

 names will occur, one at a time, as he passes along, 

 till the whole are made familiar. On this plan is the 

 work now presented to the public. 



J. L. BLAKE. 



Boston 12th May, 1830. 



