4: PKOSEKPINA. 



ibly attracted by the text of which this page is one of the 

 most favourable specimens ; nor, in consequence, that my 

 botanical studies were when I had attained the age of 

 fifty no farther advanced than the reader will find them 

 in the opening chapter of this book. 



I Which said book was therefore undertaken, to put, if it 

 might be, some elements of the science of botany into a 

 form more tenable by ordinary human and childish fac- 

 ulties ; or for I can scarcely say I have yet any tejiure 

 of it myself to make the paths of approach to it more 

 pleasant. In fact, I only know, of it, the pleasant distant 

 effects which it bears to simple eyes ; and some pretty 

 mists and mysteries, which I invite my young readers to 

 pierce, as they may, for themselves, my power of guid- 

 ing them being only for a little way. 



Pretty mysteries, I say, as opposed to the vulgar and 

 ugly mysteries of the so-called science of botany, exem- 

 plified sufficiently in this chosen page. Respecting which, 

 please observe farther ; Nobody I can say this very 

 boldly loves Latin more dearly than I; but, precisely be- 

 cause I do love it (as well as for other reasons), I have al- 

 ways insisted that books, whether scientific or not, ought to 

 be written either in Latin, or English; and not in a 

 doggish mixture of the refuse of both. 



Linnaeus wrote a noble book of universal Natural. His- 

 tory in Latin. It is one of the permanent classical treas- 

 ures of the world. And if any scientific man thinks his 

 labors are worth the world's attention, let him, also, write 



