12 PRET-ACE. 



the study of the natural affinities of plants, is quite an- 

 other matter. But it would be as idle, while we pursue 

 this last-mentioned subject, so deep and so intricate that 

 its most able cultivators are only learners, to lay aside 

 the continual use of the Linnsean system, as it would be 

 for philologists and logicians to slight the convenience, 

 and indeed necessity, of the alphabet, and to substitute 

 the Chinese character in its stead. If the following 

 pages be found to elucidate and to confirm this compar- 

 ison, I wish the student to keep it ever in view. 



The illustration of the Linnaean system of classifica- 

 tion, though essential to my purpose, is however but a 

 small part of my aim. To explain and apply to practice 

 those beautiful principles of method, arrangement and 

 discrimination, which render botany not merely an 

 amusement, a motive for taking air and exercise, or an 

 assistance to many other arts and sciences ; but a school 

 for the mental powers, an alluring incitement for the 

 young mind to try its growing strength, and a confirma- 

 tion of the most enlightened understanding in some of 

 its subhmest most important truths. That every path 

 tending to ends so desirable may be accessible, I have 

 not confined myself to systematical subjects, wide and 

 various as they are, but I have introduced the anatomy 

 and physiology of plants to the botanical student, wish- 

 ing to combine all these several objects ; so far at least 



