O TA N Y. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



1. ^oTANY is the science wliich treats of the Vegetable 

 Kingdom^ It inchides the knowledge of the liabits, structure, 

 and uses of plants, together with their nomenclature and classi- 

 ficationlS 



2. Like its kindred sciences, it is resolved intofdistinct depart- 

 ments, according to the nature of the subjects to wliich it relates. 



> That part which investigates the organic structure of vegetables, 

 is called Organography, corresponding to Anatomy, in the 

 science of Zoology, 



3. That part of botany wliich relates to the phenomena of the 

 vital functions of plants, is called Vegetable Physiology ; in- 

 cluding the consideration of their germination, gi-owth, and 

 reproduction. It has, therefore, a direct and practical bearing 

 upon the labors of husbandly, in the propagation and culture of 

 plants, both in the garden and in the field. 



4. Another department, of essential importance, is Gloss- 

 ology, which relates to the explanation and application of 

 botanical terms, whether nouns or adjectives, by wliich the 

 organs of plants, ^vitll their numerous modifications, are desig- 

 nated. 



5. A fomrth department, called Systematic Botany, arises 

 from the consideration of plants, in relation to each other, their 

 mutual affinities, and their endless diversities, whereby the 

 100,000 species, supposed to exist, may be an-anged, classified, 

 and designated, by distinctive characters and names. 



