PREFACE. 
Vll 
siveand complete work, these deficiencies are, comparatively, of little importance. Subsequent 
study, under more propitious circumstances, will supply what is now wanting. 
The author takes this opportunity of acknowledging the assistance he received during his col- 
lections from the late Dr. Henry Muhlenberg* of Lancaster, and Mr. Correa de Serra: for the 
countenance and encouragement of these botanists he shall ever feel himself grateful; from Mr. 
Zaccheus Collins, also, a gentleman who has united the successful cultivation of botany, with 
other branches of natural science, the author has received some auxiliary attentions, for which 
he returns his thanks. 
THE AUTHOR. 
222 Walnut -street^ October 1st, 1815. 
• The pious, the learned Muhlenberg is no more! With him has fallen one of the oldest, the strongest pillars of that extensive fa- 
bric his exertions contributed so largely to raise — the edifice of botanick science in America. His merits, though chiefly confined 
to nomenclatural botany, were of the highest order. In giving information he was conscientious as truth itself, and his patience and 
industry in correcting the errours and confusion of botany, have scarce a parallel. Ever ready to assist the young botanist, and to 
banish from his sight, obstacles which in his own progress he himself had perseveringly overcome, it seems extraordinary that few, 
if any, of the large number that have profited by his labours and been the objects of his personal or epistolary instruction, should 
have acknowledged the extent of his assistance! The friend, whose succour contributed to raise us to our desired elevation, is often, 
when no longer useful, cast away! Dr. Muhlenberg enjoyed the correspondence of some of the first European botanists of the age, 
Schreber, Smith, Wllldenow, &c. and the rich volumes of the Species Plantarum by the latter, are enhanced in no small degree by 
the communications made to him by our American botanist. The posthumous works of Dr. Muhlenberg are anxiously expected by 
the lovers of botany. When they are presented to the publick, and the Flora Vu’ginica of Professor Barton, which is partly print- 
ed, appears, the chief barriers to the successful cultivation of botany in the United States will be removed — since these, together 
with Pursh’s Flora, already published, though it has not reached this country, will fill the present chasm in the botanical libraries of 
America. 
