INTRODUCTION. 
The public are now presented with the second volume of the 
"American Flora," which is intended as a standard work, founded 
upon the Linsen System ; its correctness in name, classification, de- 
scription, order, character, general and specific ; medical properties 
and uses of the various plants and herbs of which it treats, has re- 
ceived the highest encomiums from some of our most eminent bot- 
anists and physicians ; and thus from the favorable reception which 
it has hitherto met with, entitles the author to conclude that his 
labors have not been altogether unprofitable. And in consequence 
of a more than anticipated demand for the first volume, the pub- 
lishers have been induced to make a large additional outlay, that 
the present volume may be marked with additional embellishments, 
correctly displaying the natural appearance of the plant or flower. 
The whole work, when complete, will be one of the richest gems 
in the cabinet of modern literature and art. It is poetically said 
" there is a language in flowers." With what delight do we listen 
to the rustling of the forest trees, when moved by the gentle breeze 
of the summer's gale ! With what pleasure do we inhale the varied 
and sweet-scented odors of the flowers of the garden and the 
fields, and with what a pure feeling of admiration does the eye 
dwell upon their brilliant, soft, clear and variegated tints ! In truth, 
there is a language in them, that conveys to the refined and cultiva- 
ted mind, a joy as uncontaminated as the source is pure and inex- 
haustible. The names, history and habits of these delightful whis- 
perers, is a study of the highest and most pleasing description ; and 
Vol. ii — iii 
