INTRODUCTION 



works the constant implied question is ' What is its 

 difference ? ' , ' What is its essential nature ? ', viz. ' What 

 are the characteristic features in virtue of which a 

 plant may be distinguished from other plants, and 

 which make up its own ' nature ' or essential 

 character ? 



Theophrastus appears to have been only Aristotle's 

 junior by fifteen years. On Plato's death he became 

 Aristotle's pupil, but, the difference in age not being 

 very great, he and his second master appear to have 

 been on practically equal terms. We are assured 

 that Aristotle was deeply attached to his friend ; 

 while as earnest of an equally deep attachment on 

 the other side Theophrastus took Aristotle's son 

 under his particular care after his father's death. 

 Ai-istotle died at the age of sixty-three, leaving to 

 his favourite pupil his books, including the auto- 

 graphs of his own works, and his garden in the 

 grounds of the Lyceum. The first of these bequests, 

 if the information is correct, is of great historical 

 importance ; it may well be that we owe to 

 Theophrastus the publication of some at least of 

 his master's voluminous works. And as to the 

 garden it is evident that it was here that the first 

 systematic botanist made many of the observations 

 which are i*ecorded in his botanical works. Diogenes 

 has preserved his will, and there is nothing in the 

 terms of this interesting document to suggest that 

 it is not authentic. Of special interest is the 

 provision made for the maintenance of the garden ; 

 xviii 



