JBiog raphical Sketch 1 9 



the two r for instance, the distribution of 

 Moncecia, Dicecia, and Polygamia among the 

 other classes. But perhaps De Candolle's 

 natural system is better than Hooker's. I 

 really do think that nothing can be more 

 unnatural than some of the natural groups. In 

 the very first order, Ranunculaceae, this strikes 

 one very forcibly. What earthly affinity has 

 Thalictrum with Caltha, or Aconitum ? " 



Then later he remarks : " I have some idea 

 of improving the artificial system by en- 

 grafting on that of Linnaeus the artificial 

 (not the natural) system of Jussieu, which 

 would form sub-divisions to the Linnaean 

 classes, the unwieldy bulk of which is their 

 practical difficulty." 



Acting upon the advice of Sir Wm. 

 Hooker, Edmondston went to Edinburgh 

 to attend the University during the winter 

 session of 1841-42. His wonderful memory 

 made education easy for him. He scarcely 

 required to take notes of the lectures. His 

 mother said, " nothing coming before him, 

 however casually, was overlooked or for- 

 gotten. He possessed, as many earnest 

 students do, a great power of abstraction. 

 Completely absorbed in a book, while many 



