2 INTRODUCTION. 



The first course, which is analytical, is necessarily 

 that of the observer ; it was that of the first phytotomists ; 

 it was, in fact, the only one which could be followed at 

 the commencement of the science ; and it is still that 

 wliich one must embrace in the course of examination. 

 But since long and laborious analyses have proved that 

 the parts apparent in all plants are formed of a small 

 number of organs resembhng each other in different 

 plants, it seems evident that conciseness and also clear- 

 ness are gained by follovnng the synthetical course ; that 

 is to say, by commencing first with the study of the 

 elementary parts, in order to describe afterwards the 

 compound organs which they form. This course, bolder 

 and more concise, obliges us, it is true, to commence 

 with the most obscure, uncertain, and difficult portion of 

 Organography ; it requires more trouble and attention on 

 the part of observers ; but it avoids frequent and fasti- 

 dious repetitions, and furnishes some more precise data 

 for the mass of the science : the little preliminary 

 knowledge which it supposes, is limited to notions so 

 simple, that every one possesses it without any study, 

 and by the simple acquaintance with the most usual 

 terms of language. • 



When we wish to describe first the compound 

 organs, we are compelled, in order to impart the know- 

 ledge of their structure, to use terms, the meaning of 



