PREFACE 



AS this is not designed to be a scientific treatise, no 

 attempt is made at strictly botanical classification 

 or description. What is written is more especially 

 for the large number of people who, though interested in 

 plants and flowers, have little or no knowledge of botany, 

 and neither time nor inclination to acquire it. It is not 

 intended by this statement, however, to give support to a 

 somewhat common opinion that the lessons of botany are 

 useless or uninviting, for few studies can be, to a genuine 

 lover of nature, more attractive or even fascinating. In 

 nearly all cases the popular names of plants are given in 

 connection with those by which they are scientifically 

 known throughout the civilized world. Botanical terms 

 and phrases are employed in description only when it is 

 believed they will interest and assist the ordinary reader, 

 rather than tend to his embarrassment. It is certainly 

 worth something to those who admire trees, shrubs, and 

 flowers to know their scientific as well as their common 

 names, and, to some extent, their origin and history. 



It is as a help to such knowledge, the want of which is 

 sorely felt by many, that these pages have been written 

 and are now given to the public. Much that is contained 

 herein is gathered from the writings of those who have 



