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CHAPTER XXII. 



«F THE SYSTEMATICAL ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTS. NATU- 

 RAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS. GENERA, SPECIES, AND 

 VARIETIES. NOMENCLATURE. 



The foregoing chapters have sufficiently explained 

 the parts of plants, and the leading differences in their 

 conformation, for us now to proceed to the Systematical 

 part of our subject. In this, when properly understood 

 and studied, there is no less exercise for the mind, no 

 less employment for its observation and admiration, than 

 in physiological or anatomical inquiries ; nor are the 

 organs of vegetables, when considered only as instru- 

 ments of classification and discrimination, less conspicu- 

 ous for beauty, fitness, and infinite variety of contri- 

 vance, than under any other point of view. The wis- 

 dom of an Infinite Superintending Mind is displayed 

 throughout Nature, in whatever way we contemplate 

 her productions. 



When we take into consideration the multitude of 

 species which compose the vegetable kingdom, even in 

 any one country or climate, it is obvious that some ar- 

 rangement, some regular mode of naming and distin- 

 guishing them, must be very desirable, and even neces- 

 sary, for retaining them in our own memory, or for com- 

 municating to others any thing concerning them. Yet 

 the antients have scarcely used any further classification 

 of plants than the vague and superficial division into 



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