2 PREFACE. 



Moreover, all along the path of its analysis through the tables its charac- 

 ters are announced and recognizevl ; so that if all the statements descrip- 

 tive of R. bulbosus were collected, we should have nearly a half-page of 

 text, and no important character left unnoticed. 



Between the cultivated exotics and the wild native or naturalized species 

 constituting our own flora, a distinction is made in the type. The natnos 

 of the latter are expressed in full-face, Roman for the species, and iiaiit 

 for the varieties. The names of the exotics are in SMALL CAPITALS. 



The geographical limits of the present flora are the same as those 

 adopted in the Class-Book ; viz., all the States of the American Union 

 lying east of the Mississippi River. This will necessarily include so many 

 of the plants of the States bordering on the western shore of the Missis- 

 sippi, that the book may be regarded as well adapted to those States also. 



It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge my obligations to the friends 

 whose names occur below and in many other parts of our work, for their 

 contributions of new and rare plants, and for valuable information con- 

 cerning them ; first, and especially, to Prof. THOS. C. POUTER, of Lafayette 

 College ; to E. L. HANKENSON, Newark, N. Y. ; to JOHN WOLF, Canton, 111. ; 

 to Cns. II. PECK, Albany, N. Y. ; to WM. R. GIRARD, Esq., Poughkeepsie, 

 N. Y. ; to N. COLMAN, Iowa ; to Rev. J. H. CARRUTH, Kansas ; to Dr. 

 W. MATTHEWS, Dakota ; to H. MAPES, Michigan, &c., &c. 



And as a just tribute to the memory of my LAMENTED WIFE, I would add 

 that whatever is new and peculiar in the plan of the present Flora, that 

 on which its definite conciseness depends, u due to Tier alone. She first 

 indicated the method, and for years assiduously advocated its adoption. 



CUJTJS NOMINI AC MEMO-RLE CARISSIM^E, 



HOC OPUS, IN MEDIO DOLORE AC DESIDERIO CONFECTUM, 



DEDICAT CONJUX. 



