144' Dr Murray on the Natural History of Alford. 



their names, and places of growth, is not to be held as ignorant of their vir- 

 tues and functions, or as despising that knowledge. On the contrary, he 

 reckons the physiology of vegetables, and their uses, among the legitimate 

 branches of his science. But he is disposed to consider these branches in 

 some degree subordinate, being convinced that the descriptive part of botany, 

 and of all natural history, ought ever to receive the most attention, as in a 

 manner the foundation of the other branches, and being itself founded in truth 

 and nature ; while, unfortunately, what relates to the virtues and physiology 

 of vegetables (however rationally interesting all that is established in these de- 

 partments will always be), derives, in many instances, no higher regard than 

 what is due to a plausible and ingenious fable. If, however, the descriptive 

 parts of natural history, though advancing in esteem, have not yet, in Britain, 

 quite reached their proper sphere, this cannot be said of several other parts of 

 Europe, where mineralogy, zoology, botany, &c. are almost universally 

 studied ; and where I believe a knowledge of natural history, like the dead 

 languages with us, is reckoned the criterion of a liberal education. By no 

 means undervaluing the dead languages, either as a means of training the 

 youthful mind, or in respect of the treasures which, in some instances, they 

 open up, I may be allowed to doubt whether natural history does not supply 

 knowledge of a kind equally substantial and useful, while it is an exercise not 

 less calculated to improve and strengthen the mind. To the medical inquirer, 

 there cannot be a doubt that the study in question, as it requires and encou- " 

 rages the same mental habits as are necessary in the discrimination of diseases, 

 is of the greatest importance. Probably it is the study of natural history, so 

 common on the Continent, which has enabled foreign physicians to carry to so 

 great perfection their observations on morbid appearances, and the diagnoses 

 of diseases. It may indeed be suspected, that, viewing disease as a mere piece 

 of natural history, they have paid too great attention to morbid phenomena, 

 and too little to the manner in which these might be prevented and removed ; 

 and, in this country, we indulge a belief, probably well-grounded, that how- 

 ever acute foreign physicians are in the discrimination of diseases, their medi- 

 cal treatment is less energetic and successful. 



Waiving farther general remarks, I may observe, that the value of a local 

 Flora will be regulated greatly by the degree of its accuracy and completeness. 

 From the prevalence of a hasty and careless style of observation, we frequent- 

 ly have the merest guess-work recorded among the established facts of science ; 

 and loose and inaccurate speculations lead others into error, procuring at the 

 same time for their authors a share of that credit which is due only to the 

 faithfiil and patient observer. In point of accuracy, I trust the following ac- 

 count of the Alford vegetation will not be found defective ; as, during no less 

 than eight years, I had an opportunity of observing and examining the plants 

 of that district. All were rigidly compared with the descriptions of Smith 

 and Hooker ; and, in every doubtful case, the figures of the English Botany, 

 and sometimes living botanists of eminence, have been consulted. As to com- 

 pleteness, it may be mentioned, that, with exception of the part containing 

 cryptogamic species, little farther on that head is, I trust, to be desired ; for, 

 in the course of an occupation, leading me times without number to all points 

 of the district, I have examined every spot,— I have scrutinized every hill. 



