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PREFACE. 
In presenting the “ Book of Flowers and Poetry” 
to our readers, we would observe that much pains have 
been taken to render its contents as varied and inter¬ 
esting as the limits of such a work will allow. It will 
be found to contain a copious Floral Dictionary, with 
many of the Eastern significations not generally 
known. To these are added remarks on the cultiva¬ 
tion of flowers, and a simple abstract of Botany com¬ 
piled from the works of our best writers. 
To the selections from our own native poets we turn 
with pride and pleasure ; not the less is our gratifica¬ 
tion in tendering in this place, our acknowledgments 
to the distinguished writers who have assisted us by 
original articles from their pens. We would particu¬ 
larly mention Mr. Charles F. Hoffman, Mrs. Emma C. 
Embury, and Mr. Wm. Cullen Bryant. Nor would we 
forget the beautiful effusion of Mrs. Balmanno, and 
the graceful verses of Miss Huntington, names less 
