for the advance of Botany. 115 



their botanical and horticultural gardens. But if sucli great inte- 

 rest is felt in the mere cultivation of line flowers and handsome fruit; 

 if the mere gratification of the eye or of the palate can stimulate so 

 many to the laudable exertions which are made in support of these 

 societies, with their costly medals, and numerous prizes and extra 

 prizes, how much deeper interest would they feel if they would once 

 consent to add somewhat of a more intellectual character to their 

 scheme, and contrive to occupy their thoughts with the engaging 

 pursuits of scientific botany, or attempt a few of those important 

 experiments which might be turned to account in establishing the 

 leading principles of vegetable physiology. To those who have 

 never paid any attention to speculations of this kind, but have been 

 hitherto satisfied with merely admiring the forms and colours of the 

 splendidly beautiful flowers which result from high culture and suc- 

 cessful art, there often appears a degree of mystery or difficulty hang- 

 ing over such researches which deters them from attempting any- 

 thing partaking of a really scientific character. It is undoubtedly true 

 that something like an intellectual exertion is required to master 

 the first principles of this science, and to become acquainted with 

 the technical nomenclature necessarily established for the purpose 

 of facilitating our advance. But what is this when compared with 

 the higher stretch of thought requisite to master the rudiments of 

 abstract science. To obtain a knowledge of a science of observation, 

 like botany, we need make very little more exertion at first than is 

 required for adapting a chosen set of terms to certain appearances 

 of which the eye takes cognizance, and when this has been attain- 

 ed, all the rest is very much like reading a book after we have learnt 

 to spell, where every line and every page affords a fresh fund of in- 

 tellectual enjoyment. It is on these grounds that we would parti- 

 cularly recommend every horticulturist or other person any way oc- 

 cupied in the cultivation of plants, to increase his stock of intellec- 

 tual enjoyment by conducting his pursuits in connection with scien- 

 tific inquiry. 



Great advances have been made within the last half century in 

 various departments of this science, in the classification of plants 

 upon sounder principles than those which had so long been predo- 

 minant ; in obtaining more accurate details of their anatomical struc- 

 ture, owing to the greatly improved condition of the microscope ; in 

 the more perfect analyses which organic chemistry has furnished of 

 the immensely numerous products of vegetation ; and lastly, in cer- 

 tain generalities relating to the geographic distribution of plants. 

 But still we are very far removed from perfection, either as relates 



