502 
a master ; concise, yet full ; remarkable for clearness 
and neatness. Small as it is in size, it must have 
cost you some time and attention. I smile some- 
times when I meet with the miserable, incorrect 
compilations and imitations of your former work 
(Introduction to Physiological and Systematic Bo- 
tany). When your intended Flora makes its ap- 
pearance, the British botanist will find everything 
that he wants in these three works of yours. 
I am not such a bigot as to think lightly of the 
Natural Orders, imperfect as our present knowledge 
of them is. Had I been younger, that very circum- 
stance would have incited me to pursue so delect- 
able a subject; and I hope you will continue to do 
it. I am only sometimes vexed when they would 
fain persuade me that the natural system may su- 
persede the artificial. My health is still good, but 
I grow sensibly weaker in body, and memory and ~ 
recollection are decaying. With all this lam thank- 
ful that my eyes are yet efficient, that my spirits are 
good, and that I can still enjoy conversation with . 
those who will condescend a little to my deafness. 
This is much for almost eighty-six. 
With my hearty good wishes for your health and 
happiness, 
I am, dear Sir, yours, 
Tuos. Martyn. 
