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CHAPTER XXIL 



OF THE SYSTEMATICAL ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTS. 

 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS. GENERA, 

 SPECIES, AND VARIETIES. NOMENCLATURE. 



1 HE foregoing chapters have sufficiently explained 

 the parts of plants, and the leading differences in their 

 conformation, for us now to proceed to the Systema- 

 tical part of our subject. In this, when properly un- 

 derstood and studied, there is no less exercise for the 

 mind, no less employment for its observation and ad- 

 miration, than in physiological or anatomical inquiries ; 

 nor are the organs of vegetables, when considered only 

 as instruments of classification and discrimination, less 

 conspicuous for beauty, fitness, and infinite variety of 

 contrivance, than under any other point of view. The 

 wisdom of an Infinite SuperintendingMind is displayed 

 throughout Nature, in whatever way we contemplate 

 her productions. 



When we take into consideration the multitude of 

 species which compose the vegetable kingdom, even in 

 any one country or climate, it is obvious that some 

 arrangement, some regular mode of naming and di- 

 stinguishing them, must be very desirable, and even 

 necessary, for retaining them in our own memory, or 

 for communicating to others any thing concerning 



