PRELIMINARY. 



and we find its symbols in the curious structure, and 

 the wondrous fitness of all the minute parts of which 

 a plant consists, for the several uses they are destined 

 for. This, and this only, is the " language of flowers ;" 

 and it was of this that I hoped in my fonner letters 

 to give you some idea. 



You tell me, however, that your curiosity is still 

 unsatisfied, that vou know not where to seek for other 

 books in which similar information is to be found, and 

 that the progress of your children in the classifica- 

 tion of the various objects that surround them is 

 accompanied by doubt and disappointment. I might 

 easily name to you the very books you should read, 

 and point out to you the very places in which you 

 should search for the inforaiation you require, but I 

 fear that you would still retain your opinion that it 

 would have been better if, instead of idly referring 

 you to the elucidations of others, I had had the indus- 

 tn* to carry- our correspondence a little further. AVell 

 then, let it be so ! innocent knowledge is the best and 

 most enduring foundation of permanent happiness, 

 and far be it from me to refuse my humble assistance 

 in contributing to the means by which the world may 

 secure to itseK the utmost amount of simple pleasures. 



We will, therefore, resume our correspondence upon 

 Botany ; and this time, if your patience should not be 

 exhausted, I promise to provide you with suflicient 

 means for carrying your inquiries to whatever point you 

 please, in respect of all those subjects which you 

 would think of investicratinff for mere amusement's 

 sake. In the first place, you shall have an account of 



