570 



minology here used, should have been different from that 

 applied to the next order, Plumbagines. We are ready, 

 most unreservedly, to admit the great difficulty of deci- 

 sion in these cases, as well as in others, occurring: in Jus- 

 sieu's 5th, 6th, and 7th classes ; but that very difficulty 

 evinces the precariousness of making any thing connected 

 with this most disputable of all questions, a primary guide 

 in a system of methodical arrangement. When we pro- 

 ceed a step further, and come to the insertion of the sta- 

 mens, the convenience and clearness of the system indeed 

 improve upon our view ; but we must not hope to escape 

 exceptions or inaccuracies, the connection of thejilaments 

 with the corolla being, by no means, uniform or constant, 

 in the orders so characterized, nor even in all the species 

 of particular genera, classed upon that principle. So 

 likewise the insertion of the stamens into the calyx is at- 

 tended with such inveterate difficulties, that one of the 

 warmest promulgators and defenders of Jussieu's system, 

 Mr. Salisbury, has thought it easier to deny the existence 

 of any such insertion, than to make it subservient to prac- 

 tical use. We are indeed satisfied that the characters 

 throughout the celebrated method of classification now 

 under our contemplation, are attended with as much dif- 

 ficulty and exception as those of any other system ; and 

 we cannot but agree with Mr. Roscoe, Trans, of the Linn. 

 Soc. vol. xi. 65, that it forms several as unnatural as- 

 semblages as even the professedly artificial system of 

 Linnaeus. With regard to practical facility, no person of 

 judgement has ever attempted to invalidate the superiority 

 of the latter. 



Having fulfilled the invidious task, which truth has 

 required of us, let us turn to the more pleasing one of 

 pointing out some of the great practical advantages of the 

 labours of Jussieu. We do this with the more readiness, 

 because we conceive that his real merits are better un- 

 derstood in England than any where else. The writer of 

 this cannot disclaim the honour of being the first who 



