OF A NATURAL MODE OF CLASSIFICATION". 271 



All preceding systems, and all controversies respect- 

 ing their superior merits, were laid aside, as soon as the 

 famous Linnaean method of classification, founded on 

 the Stamens and Pistils, became known in the botanical 

 world. Linnaeus, after proving these organs to be the 

 most essential of all to the very being of a plant, first 

 conceived the fortunate idea of rendering them subser- 

 vient to the purposes of methodical arrangement, taking 

 into consideration their number, situation and propor- 

 tion. How these principles are applied, we shall pre- 

 sently explain ; but some previous observations are 

 necessary. 



Linnaeus first made a distinction between ^natural 

 and an artificial method of botanical arrangement. 

 His predecessors probably conceived their own systems 

 to be each most consonant with the order of Nature, 

 as well as most commodious for use, and it was re- 

 served for him to perceive and to explain that these 

 were two very distinct things. 



The most superficial observer must perceive some- 

 thing of the classification of Nature. The Grasses, 

 Umbelliferous plants, Mosses, Sea-weeds, Ferns, Lilia- 

 ceous plants, Orchises, Compound flowers, each con- 

 stitute a family strikingly similar in form and qualities 

 among themselves, and no less evidently distinct from 

 all others. If the whole vegetable kingdom could with 

 equal facility be distributed into tribes or classes, the 

 study of Botany on such a plan would be no less easy 



