1S2 Consider atioris oji Botany, 



to the majestic banyan tree (i^icus indica), which is in itself 

 a grove, a little forest; and of which Bishop Heber men- 

 tions one much celebrated, which occupies the whole of an 

 island of the Nerbudda; and, in its best days, afforded 

 shelter for 10,000 horse. Although said to have been planted 

 by a saint, a great part of it, together with the ground on 

 which it stood, has been destroyed by the sea. " But," says 

 the bishop, " there is still enough left to make it one of the 

 noblest groves in the world." This very singular tree might 

 be considered as an emblem of maternal and filial love, the 

 mother and her offspring continually affording to each other 

 mutual support. 



The study of the vegetable world has something of that 

 soothing power which we experience from its actual presence. 

 There is, undoubtedly, an influence in the pure air, the still- 

 ness, the calm freshness of the country, that tends to quell 

 all unkindly feelings, and to foster the gentler affections. I 

 can scarcely believe it possible that any bosom could harbour 

 malice or revenge, amid flowers and trees, woods and green 

 fields. Such scenes are favourable to reflection ; and dis- 

 passionate reflection will turn anger into pity, and lend to 

 sorrow itself a patience from which it may extract some por- 

 tion of sweetness. Something of that refreshment which we 

 experience, when, for a time, we escape the bustle and con- 

 tention of a town life, and take refuge in the tranquillity of 

 the country, we may derive from the mental contemplation of 

 the beauties of nature. How inexpressibly refreshing to the 

 mind is the view of the calm operations of nature, in the 

 vegetable world, after perusing a volume of history ! How 

 delightful to turn from war, treachery, murder, violence, and 

 evil passions of all kinds, to the calm wisdom and beneficent 

 power displayed in the production of the humblest weed ! 

 We may fancy plants capable of a sense of tranquillity ; they 

 possess just that degree of animation that we may suppose to 

 enjoy the tranquillity they inspire ; somewhat like that of a 

 slumbering child. 



There are many reasons in favour of commencing the study 

 of botany with our native plants, and those in a wild state. 

 Plants are liable to many changes from cultivation, that would 

 puzzle a novice ; and it were well that the student should 

 become acquainted with the freaks of nature, before he 

 attempts to follow those of art. The genuine lover of flowers 

 will not, however, confine himself to indigenous botany. AW the 

 plants that come in his way, or to which he can obtain access, 

 he will desire to be acquainted with ; and there are, in the en- 



