and above all, too readily surrendered to foreigners. The interesting
aspect of novelty and importance ■which our extensive domains present,
allures them to come among us to execute the task of examining
and describing our natural productions, for which their zeal,
their taste, and their learning so eminently qualify them. Can any
American examine the splendid and useful work of the younger
Michaux, on our forest trees, without a pang of mortifying regret,
that the author of such a production was not an American ?
That cause for repetition of such mortification may not be found
in seeing the Flora of North America executed on the same plan by
any foreigner, the author has embarked in the enterprize, as one
which naturally invited his attention, because one in which he could
most usefully engage. The Flora Danica has been taken as a
model, having been found eminently useful by the authority of its
figures.
This Flora is designed to elucidate, by the authority of coloured
figures, the interesting botany of North America. On the successful
cultivation and improvement of this science among us, depend in a
degree scarcely realized to its full extent, the agricultural, the manufacturing,
and the medical interests of our rich, abundant, and indépendant
country. It has been commenced under unpromising circumstances,
without any other prospect of success than that which
the author’s zeal and the laudable enterprize of his publishers, endeavoured
to see in perspective; and has been undertaken chiefly
from an ambition of giving to the country a production on a science
connected with its highest interests, which may claim to be considered
a national work.
With these views the first volume is now offered to the public,
and is tendered as a small contribution to the general stock of
natural history; as well as an earnest of what may be done in the
future prosecution of the enterprize, by a patronage commensurate
with the importance of the object. This it is confidently believed
will not be withheld, provided the present volume affords a sufficient
degree of ability to ensure confidence.
von. r. 8