4/2 



enlarged and accurate views, or more profound knowledge, 

 of the subject. 



In the extensive, though incomplete, review which we 

 have undertaken of the recent history of botanical science, 

 the individual merits of particular writers have chiefly 

 hitherto been detailed and compared. The most difficult 

 part of our task perhaps still remains ; to contrast and 

 to appreciate the influence and the merits of two great 

 and rival nations, in the general school of scientific bo- 

 tany ; to consider the causes that have led to the parti- 

 cular line which each has taken, and to compare the suc- 

 cess, as well as to calculate the probable future conse- 

 quences, of their respective aims. England and France 

 have, from the time of Ray and Tournefort, been compe- 

 titors in botanical fame, because each was ambitious of 

 supporting the credit of the great man she had produced. 

 This contest, however, as far as it regarded theoretical 

 speculations; has entirely subsided on the part of Ray's 

 champions. In practical science, likewise, the admirers 

 of Ray and of Tournefort have shaken hands, like those 

 of every other school. On the subject of system, the 

 question is greatly changed; for though a phoenix has 

 arisen from the ashes of Tournefort, its " star-like eyes," 

 darting far beyond all former competition, have been met, 

 if not dazzled, by a new light, rising in full glory from 

 the north ; a polar star, which has been hailed by all the 

 nations of the earth. 



The Linnsean system of classification, with all its con- 

 comitant advantages of nomenclature, luminous technical 

 definition, and richness of information, was planted, like 

 afresh and vigorous scion, in the favourable soil of En- 

 gland, already fertilized with accumulations of practical 

 knowledge, about the middle of the last century. If we 

 may pursue the metaphor, the ground was entirely cleared 

 for its reception ; for all previous systems had been of 



