Linnean Society of Paris. 383 
great variety of substance and forms, had he not found in 
time, that it was absurd to be obliged to pull up a plant from 
the ground, before he could class it! Still, Bernardin de St. 
Pierre was a great botanist. This fact shows that there is 
no natural method that can oppose the progress of study in 
botany, while the artificial systems frequently obstruct or re- 
tard the acquaintance with individuals. 
‘«¢ When that amiable and fascinating science has thus been 
studied, and with the help only of distinct designation or 
structure of parts, the knowledge of exotics can be introduced 
and added to the acquired stock. These are like strangers, 
who, with their names, titles and decorations, are hospitably. 
teceived by the horticulturist, to whom attention will be paid, 
and also to their scientific and systematic appendages, wheth- 
> 
plants, by their most striking and similar features, subject- 
mg, however, the whole of them to his parental discipline, for 
the preservation of order, and for all the good purposes of 
his labours and avocations ! reed 
Such is, Mr. President, the respectful homage which, 
from the last annals, and in the name of the L. S. P. I this 
day humbly submit to the N. ¥. H- Society. I have to add 
my own thankful acknowledgment for this inauguration of 
our bust of Linnzeus, the first introduced in this city, and the 
perfect image of the greatest instructor of mankind in botany 
and horticulture. When lato opened his academic sch 
in a private garden of Academus, in the vicinity of Athens, 
he wished that the image of Socrates should be the best orna- 
ment of it. Thus you have gloriously admitted the image of 
Linnens. . The northern regions, where he was born, often 
create Boreal lights, to the astonishment of the equatorial 
and southern inhabitants of the world. Exactly like them, 
this great man and almost divine mind, has enlightened man- 
kind on the only order in which the Almighty Creator of the 
world has performed all its wonders. Deus creavit, Lanneus 
disposuit. This image, gentlemen, from the statue 
sess a areater subject in his realms, is actually crowned y 
the Eta a classes or divisions of the whole vegbuabl 
