24 PREFACE. 



less peculiar, and what is still more likely to attract 

 the attention of the common observer, are the variety 

 and beauty of stately trees and* ornamental shrubs, 

 which are found in no other part of the State. In- 

 deed, in all the elements which render forest scenery 

 attractive, we may safely say that no portion of the 

 Eastern United States presents them in happier com- 

 bination, in greater perfection, or in larger extent, 

 than do the mountains of North Carolina, especially 

 in the counties of Yancey, Buncombe, Burke, and 

 Haywood. 



From the great elevation and extent of our Moun- 

 tains, supplying many forms of plants proper to much 

 higher latitudes, besides a large number peculiar to 

 the Southern ranges, it is not surprising that these 

 Mountains attracted the early attention of Botanists, 

 and that they have continued to be visited by a 

 larger number of them than has any other portion 

 of our country. A brief account of these Botanists, 

 and of those who have examined other parts of the 

 State, will be an appropriate introduction to the 

 accompanying list and description of the objects by 

 them first brought to public notice. 



William Baetram, of Philadelphia, visited the 

 Mountains of Cherokee in 1776. He also passed 

 through the lower section of the State. An interest- 

 ing volume of his "Travels" was published in Lon- 

 don, but the book has been long out of print. 



Andre Michaux, under the patronage of the 

 French government, visited the same region in 1787. 



