viii PREFACE.
bled to state, that the want of a Botanic Garden, under his direction,
will no longer afford any obstacle to the rapid advancement
of this Flora. At the solicitation of the author, the Managers of the
Philadelphia Alms-House-Infirmary, have, during the past summer,
placed under his direction, a piece of ground within the enclosure of
the walls of that institution, every way calculated for a Botanic Garden,
which in a year or two will do honour to their liberality and
public spirit ; be an important addition to the numerous medical advantages
of that great institution, and a public ornament to the city.
It is intended to convert the whole of the ground south of the building
and within the enclosure of its walls, of late years devoted to culinary
cultivation, to the purposes of a botanic establishment; and it is
expected by the close of the present season, that green and hot houses
will be in a state of readiness to receive the exotics, for the purchase
of which ample means are at the command of the managers of that institution,
arising out of the “ Medical Fund.” This fund is distinct from
the public funds which are levied to support the paupers. It is produced
by the high repute of the Infirmary as a clinical school, inviting
a numerous and annually increasing train of pupils to attend the practice
of the house, and avail themselves of the clinical instruction of its
physicians, surgeons, and accoucheurs. The Medical Board of that institution,
is composed of professional men of liberal and enlightened
education, who appreciate the value of Botany in a course of medical
education ; and, fortunately for the languishing interests of that
science, in the school in which the author holds the Botanical Pro-
PREFACE. IX
fessorship, they possess a degree of liberality which has been denied
his exertions by the majority of the Professors of that school. To the
fostering care of this board therefore, seconded by the funds at the
disposal of the Managers of the Infirmary—and aided by the gratuitous
labour at the command of that active and useful officer who
governs the internal police of the institution, Mr. John A. Inslee,
whose exertions have already done so much for the garden,* the
author feels fully justified in promising the public that the long wanted
Botanic establishment in this city, will next year be in a state of considerable
forwardness—and will afford him an opportunity of showing
to what causes may be fairly ascribed the frustraneous result which
has heretofore attended his efforts; since works of this nature cannot,
hi any reason, be expected to succeed without funds, public patronage,
or the aid of some public body. The author dwells on this acquisition
to his means of illustrating the Botany of North America
with great pride, because it will show what he was long since able to
have effected elsewhere, had aid, patronage, and funds been bestowed
on his first endeavours, instead of a regular system of opposition and
discouragement; and because it will furnish the means of convincing
all concerned in governing the courses of medical education, of the
high importance and usefulness of Botany as an undergraduate course
in elementary studies.
* For a more particular account of this Botanic establishment, and the medical
advantages of the Infirmary, the public is referred to a pamphlet which will be
shortly published.
YOL. II. 3