>y*. ----- I

If PKEFACE.

well as their distinguishing characters; and having ofcourse had more opportunity of acquiring this knowledgethan usually falls to the lot of most men; I trust it will notbe presumed altogether improper in me to attempt to in-struct persons by a comparatively easy method in attaininga knowledge of the science of Botany. And withoutmeaning in the least to derogate from the merits of the'earned and highly respected professors who of late yearshave taught this science, I beg leave to observe, that thelectures usually delivered for this purpose have in greatmeasure failed of the intended object. For although thefirst principles may be in that manner explained, yet a per-fect and useful acquaintance with this delightful part of na-tural history can be acquired only by reading in the boohof nature, by paying proper attention to the different plantsin their native habitats, and by having their true charactersdemonstrated, in the regular progress of their growth tomaturity.

Having taken upon me this task in a method peculiarto myself, I found it necessary to have a small work whichmight contain the principles of classification according toLinnaeus, the terminology, and at the same time a concisearrangement of all the plants according to those princi-ples, with their discriminating characters, and the varioususes to which each is applicable. The want of such awork has been so often expressed by those who havehonoured me with their attendance in my botanical ex-cursions, that it will require but little apology on my partfor intruding this small work on the public. Should it