The reformed Sexiial Spstem of Linnceits. 237 



XX III. Polygamia. Gmelin, professor at Gottingeu, to 

 the alterations introduced by Thunberg, in publishing a new- 

 edition of Linnasus's Systenia Naturae, added the abolition 

 of class XTl. Icosandrin ; and the no less celebrated Doctor 

 Smith, preserving the rest of the system entire, has abo- 

 Jished order V. Monogamia, in class IX. Syngenes'ia, and 

 class XIII. Pvlygamia. *' To his class Polygamia," says 

 Doctor Smith, " many students of tropical plants jifstly 

 objected in his lifetime, and he, as well as his son, listened 

 to their observations." Dr. Withering, in his Arrange- 

 ment of British Plants, has followed the system of Gmelin. 

 Professor Martyn, speaking of the changes introduced by 

 Schreber, in his new edition of Linnasus's Genera Plan- 

 tarum, says, that his reduction of class XX. Gynandriay 

 appears " reasonable,'^ yet the singularity of the order Di- 

 andria surely dL4nanded a separate place to itself. But when 

 he comes to mention the' incorporation by Gmelin of the 

 class Icosnndria into the Pohjundria^ he declares this change 

 to be ^* abominable.'* 



I am aware, thaf venturing to reform in such a degree 

 the Sexual System, as 1 have done, will bring upon me> 

 with some, much severe reproach. T am conscious, in- 

 deed, as well as others, that the credit of the Sexual System 

 of Linnaeus, as an invention, surpasses all power of praise, 

 and hence has found enthusiastic admirers ; ''and with timid 

 hands I have ventured to take to pieces the superstructure 

 he raised, and build up from the old matci'ials, which I have 

 carefully and religiously preserved, a new edifice, suited 

 to modern improvement and convenience ; hoping, how- 

 ever, that those who may, hereafter, publish the works of 

 Linnaeus, will cdite the Sexual System as delivered by him- 

 self, and not bring forward, in the works said to be those 

 of Linnaius, what he never either thought or wrote. For a 

 full defence of the Rtformed Sexual System, vide my '* Prac- 

 tical Botany, being a New Illustration of the Genera of 

 Plants, with Dissections of each Genus," where this subject 

 has been particularly considered and discussed. 



In a word, as by system is only meant a plan io facilitate 

 the acquirement of the knowledge of plants, the more easy 



Vol. 30. No. 1 1 9. Jpril 1808. • R this 



