94 Selections from the Correspondence of 



gradation from one class to another, and from one genus to an- 

 other, through the several species, that the step from one to the 

 other becomes almost imperceptible. Whenever this system shall 

 be discovered, I shall conclude it to be the natural system. 



Give me leave to make another objection to the Doctor's sys- 

 tem ; for it is not with any view to depreciate so worthy and great 

 a performance, but that I wish to have it as perfect as possible ; 

 and I hope he will live to make it such, as I know no man so 

 capable of doing it. It is this, that the distinction of the Syn- 

 genesia class, according to the male, female, hermaphrodite, and 

 neutral flowers is so very nice, and in many cases requires such a 

 clear sight, and is apt to run the observers into confusion ; which, 

 by comparing the first and second editions of his characters, the 

 Doctor himself has not been able to avoid in some instances. 

 Add to this what I have before observed of the Clematis, Sagit- 

 taria, and Myrica, and we may have room to suspect that it does 

 not truly and naturally distinguish the genera, but that the same 

 species are subject to variations with respect to these. But it is 

 time for me to stop. Ne sutor ultra crepidam. However, I 

 must again mention what I before hinted to you of the Gynan- 

 dria Diandria, that I still think that one distinguishing part of 

 this natural class, among other parts of their character is, that 

 the stamina or antheras are affixed to the nectarium in some 

 shape or other. This I have observed in all the species that I 

 have had an opportunity to examine ; which are indeed so very 

 few that I can rely no more upon it than to recommend it to your 

 examination ; for I could not, after reading Linnasus's description 

 of this kind of flower, discover any other stamina than what I 

 take to be such. Since I wrote my former [letter], I examined 

 the Cypripedium; there in the hollow of the nectarium, this 

 down or fine hairs appear, and if I be not mistaken, the antherae 

 are affixed not on their summit or top, as usual, but to the sides 

 of the filaments below their summits. Two stamina seem not 

 sufficient to me to impregnate the great quantity of seed con- 

 tained in the capsule. Nature every where else seems careful to 

 make sure work, even by profusion. You, who have the advan- 

 tage of botanical gardens, may soon be satisfied whether there 

 be any real ground for my conjecture. 



I have long wished to see Dr. Linnaeus's Philosophia Botanica, 

 that is, ever since I saw the name of it mentioned, and was a 



