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America:" Of "A View of South Carolina as Respects 

 Her Natural and Civil Concerns," and Member of the 

 Royal Society of Sciences of Gottingen in Hanover. 



"To the Honorable, the Trustees of the South Caro- 

 lina College — Gentlemen: I beg leave to present the 

 Collegiate Institution over which you preside this manu- 

 script work. 



"As the botanical publications heretofore respecting 

 this State are in Latin, for my better information, I have 

 thus rendered them into English, and hope a work of 

 this kind m.ay not be inacceptable, although there be 

 little of originality in its composition. There are no 

 doubt many errors in the following pages which have 

 escaped my correction, partly because I have not noticed 

 them, and partly owing to the imperfect knowledge 

 which I have of the science of botany. But still I trust 

 much correct information will be found in their perusal, 

 and much inducement for further and better inquiries. 



"It is a matter of regret that a science so useful in its 

 nature, so pleasing in the investigations and so con- 

 nected with the purest principles of morality and re- 

 ligion, should have thus little attracted the attention 

 of our citizens. Perhaps this may be owing to its being 

 little noticed as yet at our public seminaries; and to 

 an idea which has prevailed of its being an arduous 

 pursuit ; more so from the want of professors and teach- 

 ers in a study which requires many explanations and 

 particular examinations than from real difficulties 

 springing from the science itself. However, with the 

 civilization of our country, which education has af- 

 forded, the veil at length is so far withdrawn as to 

 afford us the reasonable hope that shortly the general 

 information will be better on this subject. For already 

 botany is studied in some of our colleges, and Barton 

 has spread forth its beauties in language both pleasing 

 and attractive. Come then let us sometimes unbend 

 the mind from more serious pursuits and enjoy this 

 calm, this delightful recreation. On the harmonies, of 

 nature its system is erected, its pursuits are mild, its 



