1 70 On studying the Natural System. 



Notwithstanding this, it is a fact, that many young gardeners, 

 who have abundance of time on their hands, rest contented with 

 a partial knowledge of the artificial system of Linnaeus ; while 

 the natural arrangement of Jussieu is almost, if not entirely, 

 unknown to them. I do not wish to undervalue the Linnsean 

 system, nor have I any desire to take from it one of those many 

 laurels it has so justly won ; but it must be acknowledged, that, 

 by following it, we may acquire the names of a great number of 

 plants, and at the same time be entire strangers to their proper- 

 ties. A notion that there is so much difficulty connected with a 

 natural arrangement of plants, appears to deter many from giving 

 the subject anything like due consideration. That the classi- 

 fication of Linnaeus is more simple, and much easier understood, 

 than the natural orders, no one will deny ; but the latter are by 

 no means so difficult as to deter any from becoming acquainted 

 with them. I think, however, that the student, before he attempts 

 the study of the natural arrangement of plants, ought, if possible, 

 to make himself acquainted with vegetable physiology, as he 

 would then have a knowledge of the fundamental principles on 

 which such arrangements are founded. 



Without such knowledge, many, on the very outset, being puz- 

 zled with such words as Vasculares and Cellulares, or acotyle- 

 donous, monocotyledonous, and dicotyledonous, give up the 

 study, and can never afterwards be induced to return to it. To 

 remove some of the difficulties which discourage young botanists 

 at the commencement of their study, is certainly an object worthy 

 of some attention ; for, if it were not for the first obstacles, they 

 would prosecute the study with pleasure ; and if you, or any of 

 your correspondents, would introduce the subject in the form of a 

 few plain remarks in your Magazine, from its wide circulation, and 

 the number of young gardeners who peruse it, I have no doubt 

 it would be more useful than all the expensive volumes which 

 have been written on the subject. The most superficial observer 

 must notice the striking resemblance which certain plants bear 

 to others of a different kind ; and that they have a tendency to 

 unite and form groups, or families; but no such grouping can be 

 considered as truly natural, any farther than the true species of a 

 genus. Nature has not chosen to mark so distinctly the different 

 classes or orders of her works. In the ialices we see a connecting 

 link between the Acotyledones and Monocotyledones ; and these, 

 again, are gradually united by many other genera to the Dicoty- 

 l^dones. Even in the different orders of these divisions we 

 behold a union pervading the whole, like the diffei-ent counties 

 in a kingdom : they are not only united by one particular part, 

 but all around. In short, from the majestic tree of the forest, 

 down to the humble moss or lichen which grows upon its sur- 

 face ; throughout the whole of nature, not only in the vegetable, 



