24 DIANDRIA. 



GIBBOUS DUCK-WEED. Lemnagibla. This 

 plant grows in*stagnant water in shady places, float- 

 ing on the surface. It was put by Linnaeus in 

 the Class Monoccia, but has been removed here by 

 Dr. Smith, from the parts of fructification being bet- 

 ter understood ; they are known now to be produced 

 on the margin of the leaf, and were first discovered 

 by Ehrhart at Hanover, in July 1/79- Dr. Adams, a 

 zealous English Botanist, devoted himself with great 

 attention to this object, but unfortunately died with- 

 out making the discovery. The interest he took in 

 this pursuit, made him sometimes the sport of his 

 friends, and to others, he appeared to be frivolously 

 employed. 



Every object in nature, philosophically considered, 

 is equally wonderful and perfect, but the investigation 

 of every object has not the same relation to the well- 

 being of man, or his happiness in society ; it is from 

 the consideration of this principle, universally felt, 

 though not always analyzed, that opprobrious and 

 contemptuous epithets are bestowed on those who ex- 

 haust their time and attention in minute research. 

 Dr. Adams, who only wished that he might live to see 

 the blossom of the Lemna, by the many, " would 

 doubtless be considered as insane. He who spent 

 twenty years from Spring to Autumn prying into stag- 

 nant ponds to make this discovery, might neverthe- 

 less, in himself, be highly gratified. Every succeed- 

 ing day might present to his view the operations of 

 nature, and the harmony of those laws which a mind 



