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INTRODUCTION. 



" To me be Nature's volume broad display'd ; 

 And to peruse its all instructing page 

 My sole delight." 



It would be a difficult question to decide, 

 whether the study of the natural history of 

 Plants be more agreeable to the mind, or 

 beneficial to the body. The importance of 

 this pursuit must be deeply felt by the re- 

 flecting mind ; indeed it has advantages over 

 every other science. The study of Natural 

 History, and particularly of Botany, calms 

 the mind, and quiets the passions; whereas 

 Historical research produces unpleasant re- 

 flections, and in tracing the fate of kingdoms 

 or individuals our feelings are often as much 

 distressed as our minds are amused. Other 

 branches of philosophy too often disgust us 



VOL. I. B 



