an able and enlightened publisher, and an author, would at any time
have justified: but which our relative connexion, rendering your interests
in the success of my works commensurate with my own, might
have rendered improper.
With these sentiments permit me to dedicate this volume to you,
as a testimony of the high regard of an individual for the honourable
character, universally accorded to you, of fidelity and liberality as a
man of business; and in evidence of his estimation of that integrity,
which is enhanced by the numerous virtues of a good heart. Accept
the assurances of my friendship and esteem, with sincere wishes that
you may live long to enjoy the fruits of your enterprise, your industry,
and toil.
WILLIAM P. C. BARTON.
Philadelphia, July 15, 1822.
PREFACE.
ON the completion of the second volume of the Flora of North
America, the author feels it necessary to state, that the efforts he has
made to lay the foundation of this work on the plan sketched in the
preface and advertisement of the first volume, have been thus far assiduously
made, without as great a degree of encouragement as he
hoped the nature of the undertaking, and the liberality of the publishers,
in sparing no cost to render it worthy of patronage, would
have ensured to it. He has been particularly desirous of figuring and
describing as many new, doubtful, or rare plants, as opportunity
had hitherto presented to his command. Without having under his
control a Botanic Garden—a necessary engine for such a publication—
he has heretofore been indebted to the attention of his friends who
owned such establishments in the neighbourhood of this city, for specimens
of rare flowering plants : and, though the politeness of those
who have shown themselves friendly to the work, has enabled him to
figure and describe in these two volumes, many curious and new
plants, he has still experienced occasional difficulties in procuring
such as he desired to publish. It is with great satisfaction he is ena