58 Mr. Roscoe on Artificial and Natural 
From these and other observations to be found in the writings 
of Jussieu, it is not difficult to perceive that the system there 
proposed was intended to replace that of Linneus; which from 
that time was presumed to be no longer necessary to the stu- 
dent; and these pretensions have been enforced by subsequent 
writers, who have adopted the arrangements of Jussieu. In his 
Discourse on the Study of Botany, prefixed to his ** Tableau 
du Règne Végétal,’ M. Ventenat has not only collected the autho- 
rities of several preceding botanists in derogation of the system 
of Linneus, but has even made use of the authority of Linnzeus 
against himself. In this, indeed, he has in some degree followed 
the example of Jussieu, who has availed himself of several pas- 
sages from the writings of Linnwus to prove his acknowledge- 
ment of the superiority of a natural method* ; but this conces- 
sion has been carried by both these writers to an extent which 
Linneus certainly never intended, and which it will not in any 
eandid construetion bear. If we admit the interpretation put 
upon the writings of Linneeus, he has himself acknowledged the 
futility and proclaimed the downfall of his own system, and has 
consequently released his followers from engaging in its defence. 
* This system," says Ventenat, * has had its partisans and its 
critics. Some have said with Royenus, 
« Si quid habent veri vatis praesagia, Flore 
Structa super lapidem non ruet hecce domus ;" 
whilst others have not hesitated to assert with Alston, that the 
sexual system is full of difficulties, and that it is the least 
* € Classes quo magis naturales, eo ceteris paribus prestantiores sunt. Summorum 
Botanicorumt hodiernus labor in his sudat, et desudare decet.— Methodus naturalis hine 
ultimus finis Botanices est et erit." Linn. Phil. Bot. n. 206.—** Primum et ultimum in 
Botanice quesitus est methodus naturalis.—Haec adeó a Botanicis miniis doctis vili habita, a 
sapientioribus veró tanti semper wstimata, licet detecta nondum &c."— Linn. Class. p. 485. 
ap. Jussiei Introd. p. 43. 
natural 
