64 Mr. Roscor on the Artificial and Natural 
be greatly preferable to others; but it is equally true, that there 
is scarcely one of them that does not possess some advantages 
which the others do not afford, and which have induced their 
respective authors to give them the preference. Some .of them 
— even approach nearer to a natural system than the rest; 
or, in other words, may occasion less separation among plants 
which have a real affinity: others may pay less isi; to this 
object, and may in some degree sacrifice it ‚for the purpose 
of giving a more correct, extensive, and intelligible nomen- 
clature; but the distinctions on which they are founded are 
equally natural; although it may not be possible for any me- 
thod' that is confessedly founded upon the sensible phenomena 
of the vegetable kingdom, whatever its pretensions may be, to 
unite together the families of plants in the strict natural orders 
and relative situations, or occasionally to avoid separating those 
which the general convictions of our senses assure us ought 
_ to be united. 
If however it be still alerted that the system of Jussieu is to 
be preferred, as exhibiting a more exact conformity to the affi- 
nities of nature than that of Linnzus, may we be allowed to 
ask upon what tbis superiority is founded, and in what particular 
part of the system it consists? Are the affinities of plants more 
likely primarily to result from the petals, or from the stamina ? 
from the part which shelters the immediate organs of repro- 
duction, or from those organs themselves, connected as they are 
with the very nature and fructification of the plant? Supposing 
a doubt to arise whether a plant ought to be arranged with such 
as agreed with it in the corolla, or in the stamina, how would a 
_skilful naturalist be inclined to decide ? or which would he con- 
sider as the most powerful affmity | ? In whatever manner the 
orders of the two Jussieus may have been formed, they exhibit, 
at 
