512 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LECT. IX. 



liarities connected with the petiole or footstalk ; 

 and, as naturally arising out of these, the circum- 

 stances which constitute the compound leaf, with 

 its species and varieties. The description of these, 

 therefore, shall form part of the subject of our next 

 Lecture. 



Before closing this Lecture, however, I may 

 remark that, although the study of the terms 

 which denote the peculiarities of formation in 

 the vegetable body, be apparently the least amus- 

 ing part of our subject, yet, it is not altogether 

 devoid of interest, from the great variety which 

 Nature displays in this part of the creation ; 

 and I can assure those who may think it tedi- 

 ous, tKat the readiness with which it enables us to 

 describe plants in proper Botanical language, 

 and to understand the descriptions of others, fully 

 repays the labour of the acquirement. Like learn- 

 ing a language of any kind, its utility becomes 

 evident only after its acquisition; but then the 

 stores of knowledge to which it serves as the key, 

 are opened with a facility which is not less gratify- 

 ing, than their magnitude and richness are asto- 

 nishing and their possession delightful. 



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