of Selborne 197 



real knowledge : and wliere the science is carried no 

 farther than a mere systematic classification, the charge is 

 but too true. But the botanist that is desirous of wiping off 

 this aspersion should be by no means content with a list 

 of names ; he should study plants philosophically, should 

 investigate the laws of vegetation, should examine the 

 powers and virtues of efficacious herbs, should promote 

 their cultivation ; and graft the gardener, the planter, and 

 the husbandman, on the phytologist. Not that system is 

 by any means to be thrown aside ; without system the 

 field of nature would be a pathless wilderness : but 

 system should be subservient to, not the main object of, 

 pursuit. 



Vegetation is highly worthy of our attention ; and in 

 itself is of the utmost consequence to mankind, and pro- 

 ductive of many of the greatest comforts and elegancies 

 of life. To plants we owe timber, bread, beer, honey, 

 wine, oil, linen, cotton, etc. what not only strengthens our 

 hearts, and exhilarates our spirits, but what secures from 

 inclemencies of weather and adorns our persons. Man, 

 in his true state of nature, seems to be subsisted by 

 spontaneous vegetation : in middle climes, where grasses 

 prevail, he mixes some animal food with the produce of 

 the field and garden: and it is towards the polar extremes 

 only that, like his kindred bears and wolves, he gorges 

 himself with flesh alone, and is driven, to what hunger 

 has never been known to compel the very beasts, to prey 

 on his own species.^ 



The productions of vegetation have had a vast influence 

 on the commerce of nations, and have been the great 

 promoters of navigation, as may be seen in the articles of 

 sugar, tea, tobacco, opium, ginseng, betel, paper, etc. 

 As every climate has its peculiar produce, our natural 

 wants bring on a mutual intercourse ; so that by means 

 of trade each distant part is supplied with the growth 

 of every latitude. But, without the knowledge of plants 

 and their culture, we must have been content with our 

 hips and haws, without enjoying the delicate fruits of 

 India and the salutiferous drugs of Peru. 



* See the late Voyages to the So7<ih-St.a5 



