262 ON ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS 



Several other sources of error occur in the system of 

 Linnaeus. For instance, there are many plants in which 

 the inequality of the stamens, and their adherence, is so 

 difficult to distinguish, that it is not easy to know to what 

 class they should be referred. There are also Dioecious or 

 Monoecious plants, which are become so by mere acci- 

 dent ; and which you would seek for in vain under the 

 head Diced a or Moncecia. 



The class Polygamia is also one of those which can 

 scarcely be made out by a beginner. Notwithstanding 

 the imperfections of the Linnaean system, it is one of the 

 most convenient : and, were it less so, it would be ne- 

 cessary, in order to make any proficiency in botany, to 

 be well acquainted with it, as it is that which is most gen- 

 erally used in botanical works. 



Emily. But, in small flowers, does not the extreme 

 minuteness of the organ which it is neccessary to inves- 

 tigate, render the system of Linnaeus liable to error? 



Mrs. B. True ; this is one of the sources of error 

 which even the genius of Linnagus could not overcome. 



Emily. When two plants have each an organ perfectly 

 similar, is it a necessary consequence that they should re- 

 semble each other in other respects ? 



Mrs. B. Sometimes, but not always. Thus, in this 

 system of Linnaeus, the class Tetradynamia contains plants 

 all having a certain natural resemblance ; the same may 

 be said of the class Syngenesia ; but in the other classes 

 they frequently differ considerably. 



Emily. This is not very logical, I think ! 



Mrs. B. It is true that it would not be so, had Lin- 

 naeus meant that his system should point out the real dif- 

 ferences of plants. But his intention was merely that it 

 should answer the purpose of a dictionary, by means of 

 which it would be easy to discover the names of plants ; 

 and, in this point of view, it may fairly be affirmed, that 

 the greater the number of points of difference existing be- 

 tween plants, belonging to the same class, the easier it is 

 to discover the name of each. 



1419. What other sources of error are found in the system of Linnaeus'? 

 1420. On the whole, how does Mrs, B. consider his system! 1421. 

 What difficulty with small flowers arises from if? 1422. What 

 is said of the class Tetradynamia, and of the class Syngeuesia'? 1423. 

 What was the intention of Linnaeus to the purpose of his system 1 



