on Gardening and Rural Affairs. 4S5 



9. After each genus is given, the total number of species which have been 

 described or are known to exist, by comparing which with the number de- 

 scribed in the catalogue, the number not yet introduced to Britain is at once 

 ascertained. 



All the details of preceding catalogues which seem worthy of adoption 

 are combined with the above improvements; such as the original authority 

 for each name, the duration, time of flowering, year of introduction, habit- 

 ation in the garden, reference to figures, accentuation both of generic and 

 specific names, &c. &c. 



The following observations on the above improvements, and other matters 

 connected with this catalogue, are intended to assist the young gardener in 

 generalizing on its details. 



Classification. Having determined in the spirit of the present state of bo- 

 tanical science, to give both Linnean and Jussieuean classifications, it may be 

 advisable to state the reasons which have led to the adoption of the former 

 as the principal arrangement, or that under which the species are given in 

 detail. 



Though classification is less essential in a catalogue than in a Species 

 plantarum, such as the Encyclopaedia of Plants ; yet in a catalogue like 

 ours, so rich in descriptive particulars, that it is calculated to a certain ex- 

 tent to serve the purpose of a Species plantarum, it is of great value. The 

 classification which we have adopted, both in the Encyclopaedia and here, 

 as the principal one, is the Linnean, not only as of itself, as we think, best 

 calculated for a beginner, and especially a beginner under ordinary circum- 

 stances, but as that which will be most generally useful in the present state 

 of systematic knowledge among practical men in this country. The natural 

 system of Jussieu is in itself more perfect than any other, and very probably 

 in time will supersede every other; but that time is not yet arrived, at least 

 in this country. If a beginner could begin among an extensive collection of 

 plants, we should in that case recommend the natural system as the best ; 

 because by it he would sooner acquire not only the names of plants, but a 

 knowledge of their characters and properties ; but when, as is generally the 

 case, he commences with only the ordinary garden plants, and the indige- 

 nous plants in his neighbourhood, then the artificial system is preferable, 

 because more simple and absolute in its views and details. After acquiring 

 the mode of discovering the names of plants by this system, and knowing the 

 names of 1,000 or 2,000 species of half as many genera at sight, the learner 

 may have recourse to the natural system. Its advantages to a student so far 

 advanced, or commencing in a rich botanic garden, are great over the Lin- 

 nean classification : one of the principal is, that when a plant is once men- 

 tioned to him as belonging to any particular natural order, an idea is imme- 

 diately formed of its general appearance, mode of culture, properties, and 

 uses. Nothing of this sort can be said of any of the Linnean classes or 

 orders, with one or two partial exceptions ; but, on the other hand, any 

 person who can count the stamens and pistils of a flower, can refer nearly 

 one half of the plants known to their place in the Linnean system, so as to 

 be able with ease to discover their names. This is certainly a great thing 

 for a beginner. The Linnean system has been very fitly compared to the 

 arrangement of words in alphabetical order, as in a dictionary, and the Jus- 

 sieuean to the arrangement of words according to their roots and affinities. 

 The one, as M. Bicheno has ably shown, teaches to know plants individu- 

 ally, — the other to know them in masses. Still both in the dictionary 

 and affinity system, when the name of an unknown plant is sought for, 

 much depends on the enquirer's already knowing a number of other plants. 

 Such is our opinion of the two systems, offered for the purpose of assist- 

 ing young gardeners in forming theirs. We shall on iy farther suggest to the 

 beginner, that whichever system he begins with, he will find great advantage 



