106 
EXCERPTS. 
Your strictures upon Mr. Sheldon’s Astragalus names, 
in the last number of EryrHeEa, were just to the point; and 
more of that kind of criticism is greatly needed. Amongst 
our reformers of nomenclature there is a sad lack of scholar- 
ship, and ambitious youths are too eager to do great things in 
print.—Recent Letter from an Eastern Botanist. 
BoTanicaL ScrENcE is, by many, considered as of so easy 
attainment, that it is not unusual to assign the name of 
Botanist, to any man whose memory enables him to repeat 
the nomenclature of perhaps a few hundred plants; how- 
soever uninformed he may be, of those principles which 
entitle him, to the real name and character. * * By this degrad- 
ing idea, men of the first learning and talents in this branch 
of knowledge, have frequently been levelled with the most 
superficial enquirers, and the most ignorant pretenders. 
Hence also this Science, which even in a speculative view, 
holds no mean rank, and, considered practically, is closely 
connected with medicine, and with the arts and elegancies of 
life, has been held forth as a trifling and futile employment. 
In truth, he properly is entitled, in any degree, to the char- 
acter of the Botanist, whose acquirements enable him to 
investigate, to describe, and systematically arrange, any 
plant which comes under his cognizance. But to these 
abilities, in order to complete the character, should be 
united, an acquaintance with the Philosophy of Vegetables, 
and with the History of the Science, in all its several 
relations, both literary and practical, from remote antiquity 
to his own time.—Historical and Biographical Sketches of 
the Progress of Botany in England. By Ricuarp Putr- 
ENEY, M. D., F. BR. 8S. London, 1790. 
