Xll PREFACE. 



genera, and genera into species. This is the course commonly 

 adopted in instructing. 



In the synthesis we ascend from particulars to erenerals, thus : 

 species unite themselves into genera, genera are united into or- 

 ders, and orders into classes. This is the order in which discove- 

 ries have proceeded. By this analysis and synthesis, it will be 

 seen, that " systematic botany is practical logic." 



The advantages of method are mentioned under the word sys 

 tern, page 3. The power of method enables one, by dividing and. 

 subdividing a complex subject, finally to simplify each portion, 

 so as to bring it perfectly within the power of his comprehension. 

 The power of method is in mental operations, what the lever, 

 screw, See. are in mechanical ones : by dividing and diminishing 

 the resistance of a given subject to any degree, it brings it finally 

 to be overcome by a given force, however small. 



4. The study of nature is acknowledged to be high- 

 ly important, as it gives us just views of the char- 

 acter of the Supreme Being, and thus tends to make 

 us wiser and better. It is the study of the " elder 

 scripture written by God's own hand." 



The evidences of himself which the Creator has im- 

 pressed on all his works, are so conspicuous in every 

 class of natural objects with which we are conversant, 

 and particularly in those which delight us most, in the 

 objects of every flowery walk, that he who has had his 

 attention once directed to them, must continually ob- 

 serve them, and will acquire a habit of deriving pleas- 

 ure from their contemplation. 



The study of botany is every year becoming more 

 and more attended to by academies and common 



