L!!**A* 



PREFACE. 



My object in writing this book was two-fold : 

 Firstly, to enable the student to identify the generic 

 types of the Flora surrounding our metropolis ; 

 secondly, to develop in his mind the idea of a 

 classification founded on the phases of vegetable 

 evolution. 



The territory to which this book applies, extends 

 from Sonoma to Santa Clara, and from Niles to the 

 Pacific Ocean. 



The great advantage of a local Flora, is that it 

 permits the author to so simplify and condense the 

 diagnoses, that even the inexperienced is enabled 

 to surmount the difficulties and identify with com- 

 parative ease the accessible plants. 



By the exercise of his powers he gains not only 

 confidence in his own ability, but strength and ex- 

 perience for the task of identifying the types of a 

 more extended area. 



In preparing the synopsis, I have chiefly consult- 

 ed Endlicher's Genera Plantarum, and Dr. Asa 

 Gray's Flora Californiensis. The botanical treas- 

 ures of the California Academy of Sciences were 

 generously placed at my disposal, and active as- 

 sistance rendered me by our veteran Californian 



