282 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



The Botanical Text Book is the posting up of the results of re- 

 volution and progress in the study of the vegetable kingdom. Or- 

 ganic, or structural botany, has been introduced within a few years, 

 and now forms an essential part of the subject. It can never be re- 

 moved from its place, even if it should receive modification and im- 

 provement. This has led to no inconsiderable change in the techni- 

 calities of botanical language, as well as in the consideration of the 

 objects themselves. 



The adoption of the artificial method by Linnaeus, was the result of 

 necessity. He had not a sufficient knowledge of plants, to bring 

 them into their natural families, and to exhibit their aflSnilies. Tt was 

 the work of minds far inferior to his, to recognize these relations, 

 when the multitude of plants had been examined, and the vegeta- 

 bles of all spheres and climates had been ascertained ; but even this 

 work was begun by Linnaeus himself, for no one belter understood 

 the proper course of botanical investigation. The natural orders 

 were first arranged by him, for he distributed the known plants into 

 sixty-five natural associations or orders. To depreciate the labors 

 and results of Linnaeus, is folly ; to rob him of his untarnished glo- 

 ries, is at this day impossible. Some have indeed sneered at his 

 works, but \\\e paw of the lion need not be lifted to annihilate such 

 sciolists. The wonders of vegetable structure had not been unfolded 

 by the microscope, and some of the more obvious forms of organi- 

 zation had not yet been appropriated to their legitimate use. The 

 author of the Text Book has been placed on an eminence, and his 

 vision greatly aided. Standing in this position, he has unfolded the 

 scenes spread out before him with splendor to the eye that follows 

 out the details. The mind is delighted with the objects, and rejoices 

 in their richness and beauty, as compared with all the displays of 

 even thirty years ago. The generation that then were actively 

 engaged, have accomplished wonders. 



The grand distinction of Flowering and Flowerless plants must 

 stand, and the former be divided in exogenous and endogenous. The 

 Exogens are divided by Dr. Gray into two great subdivisions : 

 1. AngiospermSf or plants bearing their seeds in a pericarp or co- 

 vering ; and 2, Gymnosperms, whose seeds are truly naked. This 

 is a great improvement on the previous classifications of authors. 

 The Endogens are divided only into orders, and the distinction of 

 aglumaceous and glumaceous is not regarded. 



