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IN describing the plants enumerated and figured in this work, the following plan has been adopted:
The first line in large capitals, contains the systematic or botanical name of the plant; the second line in smaller capitals, contains the common or most general English or vulgar name or names.
The English or vulgar names enumerated after, are those by which the plant is occasionally known, and recognized in different sections of our country; and as these are sometimes quite local, they are merely noticed for general information.
The paragraph following these names, contains a reference to the. works of different authors who have noticed the plant. Many have been omitted, because the author had not access to them, and some, because their works were not scientific.
The generic character follows, together with a reference of the plant to the natural system of Jussieu; the natural order of Linnaeus's natural method 5 and the class and order of the artificial system of this author.
Immediately in succession, the best specific character known, is given, with a reference to the author. The synonyms next follow, succeeded by a brief notice of the pharmaceutical preparation of the plant, its virtues, its effects, medical uses and dose.
The descriptio uberior, or full description, in Latin, is always supplied for this work by the author, or quoted from his manuscript copy of the Flora Philadelphica; [This work will be published in about twelve months from this period.] though in cases where a good one has already been given, it will be quoted, with a reference to the author, as in the case of that of Chimaphila umbellata.
The text in large type, begins with a general or familiar description of the plant, calculated for the generality of readers, who, with this and the plate, will be, it is hoped, at no loss to identify the plants described.
The chemical analysis, when any has been made, follows; then a history of the medical properties; after which the oeconomical use or uses are noticed; and the history completed by an explanation of the plates, and the dissections of the flowers and fructification contained in them.
