lot Hcp^y io Caleb Mainspring's Observatio7is 



Plantee dicotyledones, monopetahv, corolla cpigyna, antherce 

 connat(C. To say nothing of the inconveniencies introduced 

 into the science by the substitution of a long definition for an 

 appropriate appellation, the consequence of this diversity in the 

 two systems is in other respects important. The separation 

 of the vegetable kingdom into classes is only one step towards 

 an arrangement. The subordinate divisions of orders and 

 genera require other distinctions. It becomes necessary, there- 

 fore, not to expend, as it were, in the formation of the classes 

 those peculiarities which may be applied with so much effect, 

 and which are indeed indispensable in the subordinate arrange- 

 ments. Of this Linnaeus was fully aware; and he has ac- 

 cordingly reserved for this purpose, not only certain particu- 

 larities in the situation of the stamina, but the whole advan- 

 tages arising from the corolla, calyx, and nectarium ; and, 

 •what is of still greater moment, the distinctions dependent on 

 the number and form of the style and stigma. Jussieu, on the 

 contrary, has prematurely deprived himself of many of these 

 distinclive characters, although from the greater magnitude of 

 his classes he has greater occasion for them. Those which 

 arise from the number of the petals, as well as the situation 

 of the stamina, he has applied to the formation of his classes, 

 and in some instances, as in his tenth and eleventh classes, has 

 even resorted to the antheree for these leading distinctions. 

 The consequences of this will more fully appear by a brief 

 comparison of these arrangements in their subordinate divi- 

 sions. 



[To be continued.] 



XIV. Reply to Caleb Matnsputng's Observations on Prize 

 Chronometers. By A Correspondent. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Aimals. 



Gentlemen, 



IN your Magazine for December last, there is a paper, signed 

 «' Caleb Mainspring," on the subject of Prize Chronometers. 

 As that paper contains some allusions to the Admiralty and 

 the late Board of Longitude, I must beg leave explicitly to 

 state, before proceeding further, that I am totally unconnected 

 with either. It is not necessary to suppose the Admiralty to 

 know any thing about science, but it is certain that the late 

 Board of Longitude contained a number of the most eminently 

 scientific men in the British dominions : but with neither of 

 these points have I any thing to do. 



My object is to expose the absurdity of the person's argu- 

 ments 



