HISTORY OF BOTANY. 13 



To call to recollection what has been already said, we were first 

 taught, how the human mind was originally directed to the consi- 

 deration of plants, from natural or acquired causes ; secondly, 

 the unaccountable theories entertained by some of the ancient 

 writers, respecting vegetable life ; thirdly, the fate of botany dur- 

 ing the " dark age," and its subsequent revival ; fourthly, the 

 primary steps to systematic arrangement, and the numerous mea- 

 sures adopted at that period, for the advancement of the science ; 

 and lastly, the present improved state of the physiological depart- 

 ment, and the fortunate institution of practical systems, whereby the 

 study is reduced to an interesting and delightful accomplishment, 

 not only likely to attract the attention, and to expand the reasoning 

 powers of the mind, but equally fitted, to teach us to acknowledge 

 and adore that God, by whom all things are ruled and governed with 

 so much wisdom and beneficence. 



