viii PREFACE. 



and above all, too readily surrendered to foreigners. The interesting 

 aspect of novelty and importance which our extensive domains pre- 

 sent, allures them to come among us to execute the task of exam- 

 ining and describing our natural productions, for which their zeal, 

 their taste, and their learning so eminently qualify them. Can any 

 American examine the splendid and useful work of the younger 

 Michaux, on our forest trees, without a pang of mortifying regret, 

 that the author of such a production was not an American ? 



That cause for repitition of such mortification may not be found 

 in seeing the Flora of North America executed on the same plan by 

 any foreigner, the author has embarked in the enterprize, as one 

 which naturally invited his attention, because one in which he could 

 most usefully engage. The Flora Danica has been taken as a 

 model, having been found eminently useful by the authority of its 

 figures. 



This Flora is designed to elucidate, by the authority of coloured 

 figures, the interesting botany of North America. On the successful 

 cultivation and improvement of this science among us, depend in a 

 degree scarcely realized to its full extent, the agricultural, the manu- 

 facturing, and the medical interests of our rich, abundant, and inde- 

 pendant country. It has been commenced under unpromising cir- 

 cumstances, without any other prospect of success than that which 

 the author's zeal and the laudable enterprize of his publishers, en- 



