A COUNTRY NATURALIST. 159 



able compilation, accurate for the time, and 

 wholly the author's work. The Synopsis was 

 published in 1744 " by John Gooding, on the 

 Side," Newcastle-on-Tyne. Although Wilson's 

 book was in "Mr. Eay's Method," the author 

 might, in common fairness, have suppressed 

 Ray's name ; and it may be remarked that in 

 Wilson's work there is exceedingly little of 

 the " best modern authors " and very much of 

 himself. 



This publication was a strong and original 

 work — a very monument of acute observation 

 and the genius of hard work. Viewed in the 

 light of modern science, it contains many blun- 

 ders ; it was published a hundred and fifty 

 years ago, and in this respect is past criticism. 

 The author set out with a well-defined plan, 

 and executed it admirably. His first great 

 object was " to instruct beginners in the 

 knowledge of British plants." Other than 

 works on " Herbalism," which only constituted 

 valuable volumes to burn, botanical works for 

 the most part were written in Latin. Conse- 

 quently these were closed books to those who 

 were only able to read in the " mother tongue." 

 Essentially one of the people, and having him- 



