" 
PREFACE. 
begs leave to refer such Botanists to what he has. 
said in another place: viz. *€ That it is not a Bo- 
tanist who actually makes genera. He merely at- 
tempts, by his art, to discriminate those which the 
mighty hands of his own Maker bave already made; 
and not only made, but sealed; each, as it were, 
with some peculiar mark ; which we distinguish 
by the name of Aabit ; and by which we may know 
them, without the aid of the characters of the fruv* 
tification." Suppl. pl. succ. p. 40. 
But if we take character alone, regardless of 
habit, as the clue to guide us in the construction 
of Genera, or even in the difficult determination of 
Speciés, we shall frequently be itiduced to form er- 
roneous conclusions :- while on the other hand, the 
natural habits, if duly appreciated, will serve like 
beacons, and the lights of a Lighthouse, to direct 
us to the truth. 
Yet it may still be said, so great a multiplica- 
tion of genera burdens the memory ; that it is im- 
possible to recollect them : and that new sections 
might answer as well. It is answered, New sec- 
tions must have new names, and that those will 
equally add to the burden of the mind. It may be 
replied, It is not requisite to remember so minutely, 
in amy tribe whatever. But those who so think, 
will seldom learn to discriminate either closely, or 
extensively ;- for in some tribes it is requisite: and 
if they suppose but half the genera at present on 
record, can be distinctly retained by human me- 
mory; they are as much mistaken as one who 
