26 ON CLASSIFICATION. 



some more nearly resemble each other, than many in 

 the same Class do. You will also see the necessity 

 for dividing the whole into many lesser Classes, 

 according to the various degrees of difference amongst 

 them : or how could we find out the name of any 

 plant we do not know, from amongst so many? I 

 have written out the method of Classing the whole 

 ' Flora ' on one page, as easiest to refer to ; it is too 

 difficult for you to study at present, perhaps, but 

 I hope before you get to the end of this volume, you 

 will like to look it over, and be able to understand it, 

 too. 



You will see that each Class is divided into Sub- 

 classes ; which are again divided into many Orders : 

 where the Plants are so similar in the arrangement of 

 their more important Organs, that we may well call 

 them of one Family. But most of these Families are so 

 large, and the variety of form and character so distinct, 

 as will enable them to be again sorted into Genera : 

 where so strong a Family -likeness may be found, that 

 when you are well acquainted with one or two, you 

 can soon recognize others of the same Genus ; and, by 

 a careful examination of them with the Botanical 

 descriptions before you, be able to distinguish each 

 Species in that Genus. Thus, the whole mystery is at 



