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PREFACE. 



THE object of the following Treatise is to communicate 

 such a general view of the structure and growth of plants, 

 and of their natural classification, as should be at the same 

 time popular in its form and scientific in its principles. 

 The botanist has too frequently concerned himself, almost 

 or quite exclusively, about the collection of specimens, the 

 examination of their external characters, and the deter- 

 mination of their names ; all the wonders and beauties of 

 their internal structure, and the interest derivable from 

 the observation of the uses of their several parts or 

 organs, being very commonly overlooked. It is not among 

 the least of the advantages of the natural system of classi- 

 fication, that, as its divisions are founded upon corres- 

 pondences and differences in internal conformation, in- 

 stead of being based upon external characters only, the 

 general adoption of it has necessarily caused much more 

 attention to be paid to the organization of plants ; and 

 this has naturally led to increased observation of their 

 functions and habits of life, to the study of the conditions 

 on which their growth and propagation are dependent, 



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