454 



splendid and novel an appearance in those volumes. Of 

 those treasures, we have still more to learn from the un- 

 rivalled Humboldt. The French botanist Aublet, after 

 having gained considerable experience in the Mauritius, 

 resided for many years in Cayenne and Guiana, for the 

 purpose of studying the plants of those countries, of which 

 his work, in four quarto volumes, gives so ample a history 

 and representation. 



All the writers just named have been practical bota- 

 nists. They have generally excelled in specific discri- 

 mination, nor have they neglected the study of generic 

 distinctions. Any thing further they have scarcely at- 

 tempted. It is remarkable that they have all followed, 

 not only the Linnsean principles of definition and nomen- 

 clature, but the Linnsean artificial system of classification. 

 This same system was chosen by the veteran Jacquin, in 

 his well-known work on West Indian plants, entitled 

 Stirpium Americanarum Historia, as well as by Browne, 

 in his History of Jamaica-, not to mention Swartz, in his 

 Flora India, Occidenta/is, who only wanders a little out 

 of the way, to adopt some of Thunberg's alterations. 

 We cannot but observe, that in the very department of 

 botany in which he has most signalized himself, and with 

 which he is most philosophically conversant, the Orchi- 

 decB, he totally rejects the ideas of Thunberg. 



If we now turn our eyes to the oriental world, we shall 

 find that the seeds of Linnsean botany, sown by Koenig, 

 have sprung up and produced successive harvests among 

 the pious missionaries at Tranquebar, who still continue 

 to interweave a sprig of science, from time to time, among 

 their amaranthine wreaths, which are not of this world. 

 India too has long possessed a practical botanist of inde- 

 fatigable exertion and ardour, who has thrown more light 

 upon its vegetable riches, with the important subject of 

 their qualities and uses, than any one since the days of 

 Rheede and Rumphius. It is scarcely necessary to name 

 Dr. Roxburgh, whose recent loss we deeply lament, and 



