X PREFACE. 



been accustomed to go. But it is the object 

 of the present publication to enable them to 

 proceed a little further. The English reader is 

 here, for the first time, presented with a full ex- 

 planation of the System of Jussieu. The sub- 

 ject of the natural affinities of Plants, and the 

 question of classing them according to cha- 

 racters derived from thence, have, within a 

 short time, excited the attention of British 

 Botanists, after being still more canvassed 

 and taught on the continent. This subject 

 was originally called into notice by Linnaeus 

 himself, he having first pointed out the dif- 

 ference between a natural and an artificial ar- 

 rangement. Natural affinities cannot now be 

 overlooked, by those who contemplate the 

 Vegetable Kingdom with any degree of phi- 

 losophical attention. As Professor de Jussieu 

 and his pupils take the lead in the department 

 of natural classification ; the botanists of En- 

 gland, who have never been behind their 

 neighbours, in real science, may well desire 

 to know something of the principles or advan- 

 tages of a system, which deservedly claims so 

 much notice. I have the more readily un- 

 dertaken this task of explanation, as I have 



