14 DR. CURTIS TO THE STATE GEOLOGIST. 



acters by which it may be discriminated from them. 

 How far I have been successful must be left to the 

 proof by trial ; but I am pretty confident that a per- 

 son wholly unpracticed in this kind of investigation 

 can, by means of the Tabular View given at the end 

 of this Report, very soon learn to discriminate and 

 find the name of most of the Woody Plants of the 

 State. 



I will state in conclusion, what you were not be- 

 fore aware of, that this Report is one of the fruits of 

 your long continued service in the field of Science. 

 My first knowledge of the elementary terms of Bot- 

 any was derived from yourself and your distinguished 

 Preceptor, Prof. Eaton, at the beginning of your 

 public career. Though I was then too young to be 

 admitted to your course of instruction, an impulse 

 was then given which never abated, and now, forty 

 years afterward, returns back to you with this hum- 

 ble offering. The contribution is, therefore, most 

 appropriately put into your hands by 



Your friend and servant, 



M. A. CURTIS. 



