276 Notice of a Flora of North America. 
seem extraordinary, that this undertaking, which. has attracted 
so much attention amongst European naturalists, should have 
excited so little comparative interest amongst those of our own 
country, for whom it is more especially designed. We are not 
inclined to ascribe this indifference to any contempt for the 
branch of natural science of which it. treats, since botany is 
very extensively taught amongst us, and forms, indeed, part of 
the regular course of instruction in most of our high schools and 
colleges ; but we are persuaded, that the low standard adopted 
by our professors, has induced the prevalent opinion that it is of 
very subordinate importance. Indeed, if we were to judge from 
the manner i in which it is commonly taught, it might be doubted 
our actual knowledge of this eminently progressive 
science has materially increased within the last ten or twenty 
years. A few general principles, with an exemplification of the 
classes and orders of the artificial system of Linneus, by means 
of which the Latin names of plants may be obtained without 
difficulty, i is the usual amount’ of ‘botany taught in our 
ries, and it is not surprising’ that the community should lightly 
estimate the value of the acquisition. Vegetable physiology; 
connected with an actual, practical knowledge of the natural 
affinities of plants, with their respective qualities and value to 
mankind, is scarcely, as yet, beginning to be taught to the youth 
of our country, nor'can we hope to see botany elevated to its 
due rank, amongst us, until its professors direct the attention of 
their classes to the philosophy of the science, rather than to tech- 
-hical rules, and long catalogues of unmeaning names. For this 
purpose, many of the manuals, local floras, and popular treatises, 
in common. use, are utterly insufficient ; and we.require the intro- 
duction of simple, yet Pe earch text-books, aerer fone 
American student. . 
_ wotany 1 ae the only science in shies as taught with us, itl 
eyond-the mere ‘names of things, is sought to be 
conveyed; and hence:it arises,:that a sound physiological: work; 
RM being in advance of the general standard 
0 have studied bota th iner in which it is 
shite The few who ean estimate the labors of Drs. "Torrey 
8; in i of their ea sp 
