f.rt 



>.) 



would be equally judicious. Plants must be known be- 

 fore they can be compared, and the talent of discrimina- 

 tion must precede that of combination. Clearness and 

 facility must smooth the path of the tyro ; difficulties, 

 exceptions, and paradoxes must be combated and unra- 

 velled by an adept. The knowledge of natural classifica- 

 tion therefore, being the summit of botanical science, 

 cannot be the first step towards the acquirement of that 

 science. No person surely, who has published a natural 

 system, without knowing all the plants in the world, will 

 suppose that he has removed every present obstacle, much 

 less anticipated every future obscurity, so that no insu- 

 perable difficulty can occur to the investigator of plants 

 by such a system. Neither can any artificial system 

 claim such perfection. But they may combine their 

 powers, and cooperate in instruction. The one may trace 

 an outline which the other may correct and fill up. The 

 first may propose, and the second elucidate ; the former 

 may educate and improve the memory and observation, 

 for the use of the latter. When they oppose each other, 

 their several defects and weaknesses appear ; by mutual 

 assistance they strengthen themselves. 



Whether the leaders of natural system in the French 

 school of botany have thought with us on this subject, it 

 might seem invidious to inquire too nicely. It were too 

 much to expect that every one of their pupils, half learned 

 and half experienced, however commendable their zeal 

 and enthusiasm, should have done so. Nor is science in 

 any danger if they do not. They must improve the sy- 

 stem of Jussieu, before they can overturn that of Linnaeus; 

 and if this were accomplished, the nomenclature and de- 

 finitions of the learned Swede would still form an impreg- 

 nable fortress, before which they must perish, or seek 

 for shelter within. This dilemma has been, long ago, 

 but too clearly perceived by the rivals of the fame of Lin- 

 naeus, particularly by such of the French school as have 

 been actuated by a truly contemptible national partiality, 



