PREFACE. 



The only excuse I have for offering this Catalogue or Check-List of 

 the Phsenogamous and Vascular Cryptogamous Plants of Korth America, 

 exclusive of Mexico, is that I have often felt the pressing need of such 

 a publication, as no doubt have others pursuing tlie study of botany, or 

 collecting material for an herbarium. 



So far as I know this is the most complete Catalogue of the plants 

 of this country ever published. Those vi^ho make exchanges can readily 

 see the practical utility of this publication. I do not claim perfection 

 for the Catalogue by any means, and perhaps it is less so from the fact 

 that I have not had access to a Botanical Library. I have been my own 

 proof reader and therefore am responsible for the errors. 



While this book was in press some new species have been described 

 and a few omissions detected, which, will be found on the last page. 

 About a dozen Mexican species have been inserted which are not en- 

 titled to a place in the Catalogue. 



I am under many obligations to Prof. Sereno Watson and Prof. A. 

 Gray for several publications containing contributions to American 

 botany, with descriptions of new species. To Dr. George Vasey, Botan- 

 ist to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, I am under lasting 

 obligations for the valuable assistance rendered in compilation of the 

 Catalogue. Those who detect errors please communicate. 



DR. J. H. OYSTER. 



Paola, Kansas, June, 1885. 



N. B. I desire to exchange for herbarium specimens from all 

 parts of the world. Also wish information in regard to the medicinal 

 properties of plants but little understood or not known as containing 

 medical properties heretofore. 



