10 



INTRODUCTION. 



class. As the orders of this class depend upon the number 

 or position of the stamina, our plant must be in the order 

 Triandria, from the circumstance of its having three stamina. 

 The want of a corolla, the imbricate ament, the calix being 

 a one-valved scale, the three stigmata, and the coated seed, 

 are sufficient in warranting us to call it a Carex. The species 

 of this genus are very numerous, (upwards of 200,) and are 

 parted into five grand subdivisions The plant in question 

 is not in the first" subdivision, which consists of species with 

 simple solitary spikes ; nor in the second, with compound 

 androgynous spikes ; nor in the last, with male and female 

 spikes distinct, and the males several. The male and female 

 flowers growing on distinct spikes, and nearly of equal 

 number, each shew that our specimen must be either in the 

 third or fourth grand subdivision. As the species of Carex, 

 in these two subdivisions, are distinguished from each other 

 by the female flowers being sessile in one, and peduncled 

 in the other, we are assured that our plant, from its sessile, 

 female, apetalous flowers, must belong to the third subdivision. 

 Its short sheaths nearly equalling the peduncles, its female 

 roundish spikes, beaked fruit curved downwards, and nearly 

 smooth stem, leave no doubt of its being the Carex Flava, 

 or Yellow Sedge-grass. 



It will be very proper for the learner thus to examine several 

 more genera of this class, as the Coltsfoot, the Burdock, the 

 Thistle, the Tansy, the Daisy, and the Groundsel ; for by 

 doing this, he will soon overcome the difficulties which pre- 

 ent themselves ; and it will be satisfactory to compare the 

 plant with the figures in the plates of English plants in this 

 work. 



To a superficial and thoughtless mind, the study of Botany, 

 and the investigation of plants, may appear alight and frivo- 

 lous employment : but if we reflect on the great benefits de- 

 rived from a due knowledge of the cultivation and properties 

 of herbs and plants, as well on the score of supplying food 

 for men and cattle, as for the extensive purposes of medicine, 

 we shall find few pursuits more pregnant with intellectual 

 improvement, or more conducive to the public good. The 

 Saviour of mankind descended to the lifeless emblems of 

 Seed sown, of the Fig-tree, and of a single grain of Mus- 

 tard-seed, to enlighten our understandings ; and if we wish 

 to improve by the parable, and accompany nature in this 

 solitary yet pleasing walk, we shall find it an innocent and 

 healthful amusement. 



The Compiler cannot conclude with more appropriate words 

 than those of the justly admired author, who has supplied 



him with several of the above rules and exemplifications. 



" After having passed in this familiar though cursory manner, 

 through the different parts of the system, I must suppose that 

 the Reader no longer stands in need of my assistance; and that 

 he will soon find himself equal to the investigation of every 

 useful plant which may come before him. But this is not all; 

 he will find that the study of Nature is ever attended with 

 pleasing reflections ; that the study of Botany in particular, 

 independently of its immediate use, is as healthful as it is 

 innocent ; that it beguiles the tediousness of the road ; that 

 it furnishes amusement at every footstep of the solitary walk ; 

 and, above all, that it must fill our hearts with gratitude, 

 while we discover the bounty, wisdom, and power, of the 

 great CREATOR." 



