4 PREFACE. 



our present constitution, existence would be impossi- 

 ble. But besides the benefits of which all are con- 

 stant partakers, it lays other claims to our regard. 

 The study and culture of the exquisitely beautiful ob- 

 jects which it presents, exert the happiest influence 

 on all our social and moral feelings. So clearly has 

 this been evinced to observation, that it has become 

 a trite saying, that to the stranger, the flower-pots in 

 the cottage-window of the poor, or about the dwellings 

 of the wealthy, are almost sure indications of purity 

 and social happiness within. On no page of creation 

 can be found more distinctly written the wisdom, be- 

 nevolence, and love of the Creator, than on that, which 

 exhibits the structure and adaptation of organization to 

 the circumstances of the humblest vegetable. The va- 

 rious beautiful provisions made for protection ; the stor- 

 ing up of food which may nourish plants or animals ; 

 the purification of the air by vegetable respiration, with 

 innumerable other exhibitions of Divine wisdom and 

 benevolence, are not only subjects fitted to excite our 

 admiration as intellectual beings, but must call forth 

 the most devout gratitude and love, from every heart 

 not paralyzed in its workings by unholy and groveling 

 indulgences. 



That Botany deserves a high place in every system 

 of liberal education, is abundantly proved by every 

 consideration that places any subject on the schedule 

 of a college course. No subject can present a greater 

 field for the exercise of all the higher intellectual pow- 

 ers. Analysis of the most rigid character, induction in 

 every varied form, and generalization are constant em- 

 ployments of rightly-guided students in Botany. Every 

 department of Natural History presents similar claims. 

 The objects are the productions of God, varied to every 

 form, existing in vwvy condition, subject to every Influ- 

 ence, related in a thousand ways, and all to afford bound- 

 less interest to the mightiest intellects of man, whose busi- 



