Arrangements of Plants. 59 
natural of all those that have been invented for the classification 
of plants. zi 
* At this period," continues M. Ventenat, * when experience 
has enabled us to appreciate the value of the sexual system, and 
envy and adulation are alike removed, we may assert, without 
fear of being suspected of partiality, that Linnwus has himself 
acknowledged the inconveniencies attending the sexual system. 
This man of genius did not suffer himself to be seduced by the 
delusions of self-love ; and he has frankly acknowledged that his 
principles had sometimes compelled him to deviate from the 
track of nature.—Let us not however attach to the sexual me- 
thod greater importance than was given to it by its author. 
Those who have read his works ought to know that artificial 
methods were only considered by him as introductory to the 
natural method.—In fact, the celebrated naturalist of U psal was 
all his life a zealous defender of natural combinations, as may be 
proved, in the first place, by different axioms interspersed in his 
works. 2. In the Eulogia which he has conferred on those 
botanists who have endeavoured to follow the traces of nature. 
3. In the fragments which he has left us of natural orders, and at 
which he never ceased to labour*." After quoting a passage 
from Liunzus in justification of these sentiments}, he adds, 
* It is remarkable that this great man, after having in his public 
lectures demonstrated plants according to the sexual $ystem, 3n 
his private conferences with his most distinguished pupils de- 
veloped the principles by which he had been guided in the esta- 
.* Ventenat, Discours sur la Botanique. V. Tableau du Règne Végétal, t. i. pp. 17, 18. 
+ © Dici et ego circa methodum naturalem inveniendam elaboravi ; bene multa quae ad- 
derem obtinui; perficere non potui, continuaturus dum vixero. Interim que novi proponam 
Qui paucas que restant behé absolvit plantas, omnibus MAGNUS ERIT APOLLO." Class. 
Pi, p. 485. 
r2 | blishment 
