Bulletin - United States National Museum - Smithsonian Institution

58 FLORA OF WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
the pursuit of this branch of science the environs of the National Capi-
tal are in a high degree adaj)ted. Science and culture must go hand in
hand. Culture must become more scientific, and science more cultured.
Botau}^ has an important part to perform in this work of reconciliation,
and there is no good reason why Washington may not become one of
the foci from which these influences are to radiate. It has been such
reflections as these, aside from the practical needs for such a work, that
have encouraged me to persevere in this humble, indeed, but not the
less laborious task, and if it shall be found useful, to however slight a
degree, in promoting these worthy objects, no regrets will ever arise at
having undertaken it.
XIV. EXPLANATIONS.
The catalogue which follows, with the accompanying remarks on the
several species, will be better understood by attending to the following
explanations:
1. The habitat of plants is not specified unless it is in some way pecu-
liar or dift'erent from that given in the manuals.
2. Localities are given only of plants that are confined, so far as
known, to a single spot or to the particular places named in connection
with them. When the locality is omitted, therefore, it may be inferred
that the plant is common, at least in such situations as constitute its
natural habitat.
3. The word "rare," said of a plant whose locality is not stated, sig-
nifies that there is no j)articular place where the collector can be sure
to find it, although it may have been sparingly found in several places.
Attached to a stated locality, the word "rare" implies that the plant is
rare, and perhaps no longer obtainable, in that locality. Localities
given without this word may be depended on to furnish the plants.
4. The general designations, "Reform School," "Terra Cotta," &c.,
embrace the regions in the vicinity of these points, as more fully de-
scribed in the introduction.
5. Where a plant has only been found once or quite recently, if dis-
covered by a botanist other than the author, the name of the discoverer
is stated, inclosed in parentheses. Credit is thus sought to be given to
the true discoverer of all new additions to the flora.*
* Of the 213 additions which have been made to the flora of this vicinity since the
publication of the catalogue of 1876, 160, or over 75 per cent., have been the result of
the author's own personal investigations.