vi PR -E°F Ave 
Linnaeus; whofe Labours for the Reformation of 
this Science in general, and whofe Invention of 
the Sexual Syftem in particular, are well known, 
As the Writings of this learned Profeflor are 
intertperfed with plulofophical and critical Re- 
marks, that are of lefs general Ufe, it was 
thought that a direct Tranflation of any of his 
Works would not be fo well received, as what is 
now given; which contains an Extract of his ~ 
moft material Doétrines. The Method in which 
thefe have been diftributed in the following 
Chapters, we propofe to explain ; but to render 
this more intelligible, it will be expedient to 
lay before the Reader a fhort Account of thofe 
Difcoveries. that have given Occafion to the 
Moulding of this Science into a Form fo dif- 
ferent from that in which it appeared in the laft: 
Century, 
The Sexual Syftent of Botany, as its Title im- 
ports, is founded on a Difcovery that there is 
in Vegetables, as well as in Animals, a Difinétion 
of the Sexes. This was not wholly unknown to 
the Ancients; but their Knowledge of it was 
very imperfect, In order to fhew in what Re- 
fpect, this Difcovery has been inveftigated far- 
ther by the Moderns, it will be neceffary to anti- 
cipate 
s 
