USES OF BOTANY. '3 



the principles are properly explained to them; and 

 if you like, I will teach you all I know of it. Lin- 

 naeus himself was scarely four years old, when he 

 heard his father describing to a friend some flowers, 

 which he had just gathered from the turf where 

 they sat. This first botanical lecture made such an 

 impression upon him, that, afterwards, he used to 

 ask his father the names and properties of all the 

 plants he could procure; and even at that early age ? 

 he began to attend to the habits and distinctions of 

 animals and insects also. 



EDWARD. 

 What is the use of Botany ? 



MOTHER. 



You are not yet old enough to understand all 

 its uses, but I will endeavour to tell you some of 

 them. You will be surprised to learn the variety of 

 purposes to which plants are applied. They form 

 the principal part of our food, medicine, clothing, 

 and furniture ; and several of the most beautiful 

 dyes are obtained from them. But in some in- 

 stances the different kinds resemble each 'other so 

 nearly, that ignorant persons have often mistaken 

 those which are hurtful, or of no value, for the use- 

 ful ones. Some animals are guided by an instinct 

 which teaches them what plants to choose and what 

 to avoid: but men must have recourse for this pur- 

 B 2 





