VI 



Although the interest it inspires will doubtless be en- 

 hanced in direct proportion to the knowledge we possess of 

 individual plants, there is nevertheless a source of gratifica- 

 tion derivable from the objects it brings before us altogether 

 independent of what we should experience in them from 

 being conversant with the details of Botany ; for inasmuch 

 as what may be termed the physiognomy of a region or 

 country arises from the predominance in it of certain fami- 

 lies or even of particular genera of plants, an intelligent 

 observer, without any acquaintance with the characters 

 which distinguish one species from another, is easily led to 

 discriminate the general effect which the prevalence of each 

 impresses upon the landscape; and will be affected with 

 emotions of awe or admiration, of melancholy or gladness, 

 according to the general tone of the picture presented to 

 his imagination by the kind of vegetation which clothes the 

 surface of the country. Just as in society we are impressed 

 with the sprightliness of one individual, the sombre air of 

 another, or the noble expression of a third, without waiting 

 to analyse the several traits which contribute to impart their 

 particular character to the countenance of each, so our 

 ignorance of the names and nature of the plants which 

 grow in a given country by no means robs us of the grati- 



