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XIX. Obfervations on the Britifp Fuci, with particular Deferiptions of 

 e-ach Species. By the Rev. Samuel Goodenouzrh, LL. D. F. R. SL 

 TV. L. & and Thomas Jenkinfon Woodward \ Efq. LL. B. F. L. S. 



Read April"], 1795. 



GMEL1N, profeiTor of botany in the Imperial Academy at Pe- 

 terfburg, and nephew to the celebrated author of Flora Sibirica, 

 was the firft who wrote profefiedly upon the hiftory of Fuci. His 

 work appeared in 1768. It will ever bear teftimony to his zeal for 

 the caufe of natural hiftory, and to his abilities. In his mod ela- 

 borate Hijloria generalis he has mentioned almoft every fcientifrc 

 remark that had been made before his time. We have/in due 

 order, his deferiptions of the root, the fructification, his negative 

 generic character, the theory of the immortal Reaumur, with his 

 remarks upon the infufficiency of it. Nor does he pafs over unno- 

 ticed the philofophical difquifitions on the caufe and origin of 

 plants, and their variation in growth ; every where adding his own 

 accounts of what he has actually obferved. If he errs any where in 

 his ideas, ftill his obfervations, being all practical, are truly valuable. 

 Naturalifts cannot keep too clofely in mind the value of actual ob- 

 fervation and accurate record ; for all memorabilia of this kind being 

 once fet forth, remain, let fyftems vary as they may, inftructive to 

 the end of time. The natural figures of a Brunsfelfius will illuftrate 



their 



