INTRODUCTION. 21 



The second objection which we may anticipate is 

 the miscellaneous character of the subjects which we 

 have brought together within the two ends of this one 

 book. If the object with which this was undertaken 

 be kept in view, we would fain think that such 

 an objection is also untenable. We profess to be 

 -writing a popular volume, on a somewhat unpopular 

 subject. We confess to a design of endeavouring 

 to interest those who are not botanists, and do 

 not pretend to any but a most superficial knowledge 

 of plant life. For such we have collected together, 

 under the headings of a certain number of chapters, 

 ■a. quantity of what we consider curious and in- 

 teresting phenomena and facts, in the hope that by 

 such means we might stimulate in them an interest 

 in trees, plants, and flowers, which they never felt 

 before. If we succeed in doing this, and, at the same 

 time, in enlarging their views of the power and 

 ibeneficence of the great Author of all these marvels, 

 •our work will have been accomplished. 



Then wherefore, wherefore were they made, 



All dyed with rainbow light, 

 All fashioned with supremest grace, 



Upspringing day and night ; 



Springing in valleys green and low, 



And on the mountains high, 

 And in the silent wilderness 

 Where no man passes by ? 



