Ti preItace.' 



As in the writrngs' of even the ifiost learned Tkitahists the 

 characters' of the Natural Orders "are far from definite, a 

 concise Synopsis of the Genera aBcording to the Linb^dto 

 method is given, hy means of which' aU the convenience 

 Supposed to he possessed hy hooks arranged on that system 

 is afforded to the reader. - ' 



' Full characters of the Naturar Orders ate to he found in 

 i&ost'of the hest 'Introductions to Botany;' and it ha^ 

 therefore riot heen considered advisable to give them in 

 detail in the present volume. In his definitions, the Author 

 hasend^aVbiired to point out the characteristic marks, more 

 especially as faras British- plants are conoerried. 



In using this book,' the" student wiU find it convenient ta 

 pay attention to the /toHaz«<Z!paa-ts of the generic' and spe^ 

 cdfic characters — ^if they are found to 'agree with the 'plant 

 under examination, th^n to compare it with the other parts 

 of those charaotersj and also With those of allied genera arid 

 species. ■> • ■■ "' '■ 



It is rdost desirable that the students-' of our nati've flora 

 should not confine^ their'attention to books published in this' 

 country. Owing to such a restriction we feR far behind 

 otir, continental brethren during theearlier part of thfe pre- 

 sent century. A few modern works may be' named which 

 wiU assist them in their Studies. Koch's Sy)iopsis Fhrm 

 Oermanica, ed. 2, and Grenier and- Godron's ' i^/ore de 

 France are strongly 'recommended,^ — also, although in a 

 rather less degree, Lloyd's Flore dc V Quest' de la Fi-anee, 

 Brebisson's Flore de ■ la Normahdie, and Cos'son and Ger- 

 main's Flore des environs de Paris, ed. 2. Boreau's Flore 

 du Centre de la France, ed. 3, and' the scattered papers of 

 M: Alexis Jordan of Lyons are valuable for- the study of 

 varieties; for many of 'their Species can xlaim no higher 

 rank. But, above aU,. the works of Fries deserve careful 

 study — especially his Novitim Florm Suedccn, with its threfe 



