PREFACE. 



This volume renders complete the previously published 

 vrork of the author entitled, " Principles of Botany as exempli- 

 fied in the Cryptogamia." In that work it was shown that 

 the same laws of nutrition and reproduction operate in the 

 vital economy of plants composed of a few cells as when 

 vegetation is constructed on a scale of gigantic magnitude and 

 grandeur. In this new volume on the Phanerogamia or 

 flowering plants, the author enters on the investigation of the 

 anatomy and functions of a more highly organized and complex 

 vegetation. He has examined with care, the writings of 

 Schleiden, Lindley, Balfour, Gray, Richard, and other eminent 

 botanists, but above all the Volume of Creation, of which every 

 other work is but an imperfect copy. The book is illustrated 

 with numerous engravings, and such scientific terms as it was 

 necessary to introduce into the text have been carefully 

 explained and their etymology given as soon as introduced. 



The author takes this opportunity of gratefully acknow- 

 ledging the kindness and liberality of the physicians of 

 Philadelphia, who have been and still are his principal 

 patrons. 



