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INTRODUCTION. 



The perfection of an art, consists in the employment of a comprelienBive 

 system of laws, commensurate to eveiy purpose within its scope, LutvConcealed 

 from the eye of the spectator ; and in the production of eifects that seem to 

 flow forth spontaneously, as though uncontrolled by their influence, and 

 which are equally excellent, whether regarded individually, or in reference to 

 the proposed result. Such is the great art of nature ; and he who would 

 study with success, must, as far as he is able, trace out its various laws, and 

 reduce them to general principles. Applying these principles to the study 

 of Botany, we shall find the most perfect art. It is a theme which can em- 

 ploy the mind of many a person, and one that will afford liim much agreeable 

 pleasure. By the study of Botany wo shall be benefitted ; for all our walks, 

 in every mountain, in every glen, and meadow, on the bank of eveiy little 

 brook, and the way-side, will afford us an opportunity to find employment 

 for the mind,- and lead our thoughts from nature up to nature's God. We 

 shall be much more attentive to all the peculiar jiroperties and relations of 

 plants to the rest of created matter. We shall feel a desire to discover the 

 use of the plant, however small and insignificant to man, remembering that 

 nothing was made in vain. We shall often be led to exclaim, — " How won- 

 derful, sublime, and yet how beautiful are the works of nature \" Plants, 

 shrubs, and even the majestic forest trees, aU take their turn in life, and 

 like the human family, wither when old, and become nourishment for a new 

 generation. It is believed that plants enjoy pleasure and experience pain, 

 and are as sensitive at the disturbances of the laws of nature as the animal 

 creation. Wo cut or wound any part of a plant, and it bleeds. How mys- 

 teriously nature has devised to restore the injury or heal the wound ! Plants 

 do not walk or move, in order to procure their sustenance, like animals ; yet 

 there are many peculiarities connected with their mode of living, the history 



