VH1 
PREFACE, 
Not far from the latter place are also the extensive 
gardens of William Hamilton, Esq., called the Wood- 
lands, which I found not only rich in plants from all 
parts of the world, but particularly so in rare and new 
American species. Philadelphia being a central situa- 
tion, and extremely well calculated for the cultivation of 
plants from all the other parts of North America, I 
found this collection particularly valuable for furnishing 
me with a general knowledge of the plants of that coun- 
try, preparatory to more extensive travels into the inte- 
rior, for the discovery of new and unknown subjects. 
Mr. John Lyon, (of whom I shall have an opportunity 
to speak hereafter,) who had the management of these 
gardens, was then about to give them up : having the 
offer of being appointed his successor, I embraced it, 
and accordingly in 1802 I entered upon the situation. 
During my stay in this place, which was until 1805, I 
received and collected plants from all parts of North 
America ; and when Michaux’s “ Flora Boreali-Ameri- 
eana” appeared, which was during that time, I was not 
only in possession of most of his plants, but had then a 
considerable number not described by him. 
Within this period I had also formed a connection 
with Dr. Benjamin S. Barton, Professor of Botany in 
the University of Pensylvania, &c. whose industrious re- 
searches in all the different branches of natural history 
are so well known to the literary world. He likewise, 
for some time previous, had been collecting materials for 
an American Flora. As I was now very anxious to ex- 
plore the more remote parts of the country, particularly 
the interesting ranges of the Allegany Mountains, I was 
enabled, by the kind assistance of this gentleman, t# 
