276 CLASS CRYPTOGAMIA, 



examine ; not, however, expecting to decide upon subjects which 

 lie hidden from the researches of finite beings ; but the rather 

 to show you, that the " ways of the Almighty are unsearcha- 

 ble, and past finding out !" 



After what has been remarked upon the difficulty of analy- 

 zing the plants belonging to the Crytogamous class, you will 

 not need to be discouraged, should you be baffled in your at- 

 tempts to investigate them. It is well for mankind that there 

 are philosophers, whom the enthusiasm of scientific pursuits 

 will lead to spend years, even a whole life, in searching into 

 the fructification of a moss or mushroom ; or in examining 

 into the natural history of an ant or a spider ;* as thus, dis- 

 coveries are continually brought forward, which add to the 

 general stock of knowledge. This is a kind of martyrdom in 

 the cause of science to which but few seem called, by the 

 powerful impulses of their own minds. Females, in particu- 

 lar, are not expected to enter into the recesses of the temple 

 of science ; it is but of late, that they have been encouraged 

 to approach even to its portals, and to dare to glance upon the 

 mysteries within. 



S We have now completed our view of the vegetable world, 

 according to the order in which the different tribes of plants 

 have presented themselves. As we followed in the train of 

 classification, we have endeavoured to notice the most con- 

 spicuous, and to trace their natural relations, as well as their 

 artificial arrangement. 



In many cases, departing from the plan of general remarks, 

 we have traced the natural history of some one genus, believing 

 this method more likely to make a permanent impression, than 

 merely general views. When we read the history of nations, 

 we often feel less interested in the fate of a whole people, than 

 in that of some prominent individual : if the imagination is 

 presented with general ideas only, it has no opportunity of 

 fixing itself upon any single circumstance in order to create a 

 lively picture in the mind. The same remark may apply to 

 natural history. When you now look back upon the view just 

 taken of the vegetable world, and examine what impressions 

 are most lively in your minds, you will probably find them to 

 be respecting some peculiarities of individual plants. Of this 

 tendency of the mind we should avail ourselves, by connecting 

 these particular impressions with facts which lead to general 



M have been gravely assured by a naturalist of distinction, that the study 

 of spiders is one of the moat elegant and delightful of all pursuits. 



Enthusiasm of sonic naturalists View of Classification completed General 

 ideas make little impression on the mind Tendency of the mind to generalize. 



