XU. INTRODUCTION. 



as well as Thornapple, or Jimpson weed. Now the first of these names 

 is the one by which these plants are known all over the world by Botanists, 

 and the latter is a provincial term, applied to them in this section only. In 

 other sections of our own country, even, some of them are known by entirely 

 different names; and the above common names are applied to entirely dif- 

 ferent plants. The Dogwood in New England, is the Acer Striatum, and 

 what we call Dogwood here, is Boxwood there, and so of many others. — 

 No one can fail to see at once, the utter confusion it would make, to at- 

 tempt to apply the prevailing common names, in naming plants in Botany. 

 And it is equally plain, that by introducing this study into our primary in- 

 stitutions of learning, that the time vnll soon come when there will be no 

 difference in the Botanical and common names of plants. 



But the technical terms used in the description of plants, are also objected 

 to ; but the reasons for their use, where any thing like accuracy is required, 

 are, if possible, more absolute in requiring their continuance, than those for 

 the uniform names of plants. The terms used are applicable to every de- 

 partment of science, as far as required, and are definite in their meaning, 

 and are adopted in a greater or less degree in all countries and languages, 

 w here the sciences are cultivated. 



The abbreviations used in this work, are only such as are common, with 

 the exception of the following characters : 



^ Meaning that the plant is annual. 



^ " " biennial. 



%. " *' perennial, herbaceous. 



T^ " " shrubs or trees. 



