(IX) 
A 
PREFATORY ESSAY 
l^loWer^ 
ON 
Oliver 
Requested by the Rev. Andrew Ambauen, Author of the book herewith offered to 
the reading public, to pen for it an appropriate Introduction, the present writer ventures 
the following remarks, as some preparation for those who are to enjoy the truly substantial 
treat of entertainment and instruction contained in the Flokal Apostles. 
I. 
Interest in plant-life, generally, and attraction for Flowers, in particular, 
are well-nigh universal among those, at least, who can appreciate the grandeurs, 
the wonders, and the beauties of Nature. Whether for the useful or for the agree¬ 
able, almost every class of society, the world over, counts its host of votaries 
intent, with varying degrees of ardor or delectation, on watching and studying the 
canny processes, and utilizing the myriad and diverse productions, of the Vege¬ 
table Kingdom. Men and women, and even children, vie with one another, in 
attentive industry or exulting delight, to make the most of Nature’s yield in this, 
its every way inviting domain. 
While women, not unnaturally—from their intensely affectionate, ever- 
responsive sympathies—have ever taken the lead numerically in keenly admiring, 
and deftly arranging, flower and plant for home and public fetes, and in bestowing 
devoted care upon the culture of all that is floral; men of serious turn and with an 
eye for the Beautiful, have, from the earliest times—though not in so great 
numbers—not only indulged and improved their taste for Flowers, as the gener¬ 
ality, but have also, as determined specialists, most assiduously applied themselves 
to the close analytic investigation and systematic classification of every species of 
vegetation, and have, by their continuous efforts, given those magnificent propor¬ 
tions long since assumed and yearly enlarged by the science of Botany. Pointing 
the way, either from the professor’s desk and the analyzing table, or conducting 
