INTRODUCTION. CXI 



menclature ought to be founded upon Com- 

 pounds, as Grassmann has founded his, 

 and as the German language so readily 

 favours : — I think it probable that the 

 flat substantival syntax which is almost 

 as prominent a feature of English as Com- 

 pounding is of German, would prove to 

 be our natural and not less serviceable 

 instrument. 



Historically almost the first of sciences, 

 Botany is naturally and eductionally first 

 in order to the enquiring mind. Its objects 

 are near our homes, awakening to our 

 minds, and inviting to our touch. Botany 

 is adapted to be the universal preparatory 

 science, the science to infuse the scientific 

 sense. "Why should we allow a pile of 

 heterogeneous names, however admirably 

 drilled and however necessary for world- 

 intercourse of botanists, to stand as a bar- 

 rier between our people and the fairest 

 gate of knowledge ? These strange names 

 are all but barren of interest in themselves ; 

 what interest they possess springs wholly 

 out of the objects they represent ; the 

 objects and their mutual relations might 



