HISTORY OF BOTANY. 



3. The science of botany, is generally divided into 

 two parts ; the one called systematical botany, and the 

 other phytology or physiological botany. 



That part of the science, which refers to a description of the organs 

 which constitute a plant, and the classification of plants by their 

 exterior characters, so that one species may be easily recognized 

 from another, is denominated systematical botany, and that which 

 treats of the structure, functions, and properties of plants, is particu- 

 larly termed phytology or physiological botany. 



4. Since Nature has so bountifully bestowed her 

 blessings on the earth, we cannot be surprised that her 

 numerous beauties and advantages, should have called 

 forth the attention of man ; but in what light plants 

 were first considered, is a question of interesting enquiry. 



That the attention of our first parents, musthave been naturally di. 

 rected towards plants, is very probable, in as far as they derived their 

 subsistence from this source; so that in those days, they were only 

 considered as supplying by spontaneous production, the indispensa- 

 ble necessaries of life. The next stage, was that in which men 

 began to direct their attention to vegetables, as capable of furnishing, 

 by means of cnltivation, an increased supply of food, proportioned 

 to an increased population. Another stage of attention to vegetation, 

 was that in which plants began to be regarded as furnishing, not 

 merely necessaries, but comforts ; and the fourth stage, when they 

 were cultivated, not only for comforts, but luxuries. 



5. That these were the early steps, which ultimately 

 gave rise to the science of botany, we have every reason 

 to believe, since sacred history itself, can very effectually 

 authenticate the justness of such a conclusion. 



That the first stage corresponded to the time of Adam, is very 

 evident; the second stage to the days of Cain, who is representrd as 

 " a tiller of the ground ; " the third stage, to the period (A. C. 2349) 



