208 THROUGH GLADE AND MEAD. 
the science were humble enough, and its progress was 
slow. A few names stand out prominently in its history, 
white on a dark background, until the Renaissance gave 
an impulse to the development of all branches of learn- 
ing. The first botanists were herbalists; whatever was 
scientific in the art of medicine was centred in the study 
of herbs; the remedies of the ancient physicians were 
of vegetable origin. The mineral and chemical reme- 
dies are of a late date; drugs were at first dried herbs. 
While the beginnings of this science are interesting to 
the student, the names of Theophrastus and Dioscorides, 
Pliny, Galen and Apuleius cannot be forgotten. 
But the Columbus of botany was Linnzus. He 
supplied the first necessary condition of all durable 
progress, by establishing a sound nomenclature; he 
thoroughly revised the principles of classification and 
established genera and species upon a more scientific 
basis. The invention of the microscope has led to the 
development of certain parts of the subject much as the 
mariner’s compass contributed to the extension of geo- 
graphical knowledge. Enthusiastic and devoted students 
have not ceased in their efforts to widen our knowledge 
of the plant-life of the broad earth, and thus to con- 
tribute to the happiness of mankind. 
Perhaps no botanists deserve more honorable no- 
tice in connection with the flora of our own country 
than the two Frenchmen, André Michaux and his son, 
