236 ANINTRODUCTION 
Hence Linneus afferts, the Species to be as 
many as there were different Forms of Ve- 
getables produced atthe Creation; and con- 
fiders all cafual Differences as Varieties of 
the fame Species. 
Towards the End of the laft Century, the 
Defire of increafing the Number of Plants 
had fo feized the Botanifts of that Time, 
that new Species were eftablifhed on too 
flight Differenees, to the great Detriment of 
the Science ; and the fame Eagernefs led 
them alfo to fet down as new Genera what 
fhould have been Species only. This Evil 
was in fome Meafure unavoidable, whilft 
there were no fixt Principles for the Regu- 
lation of the Science in this refpect. A Re- 
medy to it was firft attempted by Vazilant ; 
afterwards by Sufieu, Haller, Royenus, Gro- 
novius, and others ; and laftly by Linnaeus, 
whofe Aphorifms have brought the Work 
much nearer to Perfection. Something in- 
deed feems ftill wanting to complete thefe 
Dotrines ; but perhaps more is not to be 
expected till this Branch of natural Philofo- 
phy receives farther Afliftance from Expe- 
riment. 
We fhall treat in this Chapter of thofe 
Circumftances by which Species are diftin- 
guifhed 
