152 Natural HistoT}), 



tion^ and the disposition of the stamina. These 

 classes he subdivided into one hundred and twenty- 

 eight orders. In the first thirteen classes, the or- 

 ders are taken from the number and circumstances 

 of the pistilla. In the fourteenth and fifteenth 

 from the pericarpium; and in all the remaining 

 classes from the number and circumstances of the 

 stamina, excepting the twenty-fourth, which, from 

 the parts of fructification being invisible, cannot 

 be subjected to the grand principle of arrange- 

 ment, on which the system proceeds. 



With respect to the fundamental doctrine of the 

 sexes of plants, on which this method of classi- 

 fication rests, the honour of originating it is said 

 not to be due to the great Swedish naturalist. 

 The ancients had some ideas of the doctrine, but 

 they were vague and imperfect. We are in- 

 fiDrmed by Aristotle, that Empedocles particu- 

 larly taught that the sexes tvere united in plants; 

 and also that the use of the farina fcecnndans of 

 the male palm, in impregnating the female, w^as 

 very well known in his day. It appears, also, from 

 several passages in Pliny, that he, as w^ell as other 

 naturalists of that time, extended the distinction 

 of sexes, and the use of the male dust, to plants 

 in general. Accordingly, it is certain that the 

 ancient cultivators perceived the necessity, and 

 were in the constant habit, with respect to several 

 species of vegetables, of promoting the operation 

 of the male liower on the female, in order to the 

 production of fruit; still, being inattentive to the 

 structure of flowers, and ignorant of the offices 

 belonging to the several parts, they remained un- 

 acquainted with the true process of nature, though 

 it was daily open to their observation." 



n See DuTENs's Orighie, 8cc. and Pulteney's Historical and Bh^r^-f 

 ^hisal Sketches of Botany in England^ % vols, 8vo. J790. 



