4 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
teaching them Botany is that of exercising their under- 
standings, accustoming them to attention, and giving them 
fresh instances of the wisdom and goodness of God. If the 
minds of children were more turned to these pursuits, and 
that curiosity about the things of nature which is implanted 
in their dispositions gratified, there would be less complaint 
amongst young people of the dulness of a few weeks’ 
sojourn in the country, than is too frequently the case. The 
close examination necessary to discover the genus and species 
of a plant, makes us acquainted with many beauties con- 
cealed from general observation, either by their situation or 
minutenéss. We cannot pursue knowledge of any kind 
without enlarging our views, as well as acquiring new ideas, 
and Botany has the great advantage of elevating the mind, 
whilst it improves and cultivates the intellect. 
What can add so much to the pleasure of a ride or walk 
in the country, as a knowledge of the plants seen in the 
woods and hedges? or what more instructive to a child when 
it has gathered a pretty bunch of flowers, than to point out 
the extraordinary beauty of the minute parts, the contri- 
vances for the ripening or preservation of the seed, or the 
use of its roots or leaves? Many moral lessons may be 
given to the young in a country walk if this pursuit is 
