Numerical System of Nature qfM. E. Fries. 85 



as emerge from itself; but the depressed sphere is also capable of 

 continuation in its descent, and under this mode of development 

 the same principles and the same types are regenerated under 

 more perfect forms in the higher spheres. 



Those therefore are mistaken who assume that nature pro- 

 ceeded in a simple series to her most perfect productions. Thus, 

 for example, all parasites, both animals and plants, must necessarily 

 have been created later than their matrix (and should therefore 

 be the most perfect parts of the creation). But Fungi, which 

 are the latest in the series of vegetable development, are the most 

 simple of all in their structure. 



In Minerals, of which the most simple are at the same time the 

 most perfect, the Mathematical system may be employed, because 

 it corresponds with the Philosophical. But in higher spheres, 

 in which vitality must be considered, the laws of mathematics are 

 of no avail. 



§ 10. A system of nature which takes for the basis of its 

 arrangement the order of development of individuals is called 

 Physiological. 



But take care not to imagine that the first series of evolution 

 is a simple one. As the evolution of , the animal and vegetable 

 kingdom may be said to have proceeded with nearly equal paces, 

 so the different sections of vegetables cannot be said to have arisen 

 out of a simple series, but out of parallel or radiant series. Many 

 Algae must have been created more recently than the most per- 

 fect plants, Entozoa than the most perfect animals. Whence it 

 is to be inferred ; 1st, That nature, properly speaking, can only 

 be said to have proceeded from the most simple forms to those 

 which are more compound, in theory (de ideis); but, 2dly, to have 

 often operated in an inverse order in her forms. 



§ 11. Philosophical systems do not depend upon individual 

 productions which are subject to continual variation, but upon 

 eternal and unchangeable ideas. These always proceed from 

 the centre to the circumference, or from the most perfect pro- 

 ductions to those of a lower order. 



This is the method of my Mycological system, and it agrees 

 with the mathematical system if the order be inverted. 



A Philosophical system depends upon the laws of logic ; for the 

 laws of logic are by no means notions contrived by man, but 

 eternal and immutable, and established by Nature herself. As the 

 rotation of the heavenly bodies, discovered after the laws of ma- 

 thematics, must necessarily follow those laws ; so also no obser- 

 vation in nature can invalidate the laws of logic. For the laws 

 of logic are the laws of nature. 



It must be observed, however, that a system, although logically 

 true, may be naturally false, because it may have been deduced 

 from false principles ; but every true system cannot deviate from 

 the rules of logic. 



§ 12. A Philosophical system is superior to all others. 

 It may at first appear, perhaps, of little moment, what way we 



follow 



