4 tees 6 6 UC TT OLN. 
there will be no diftin@tion of Series or Order, Clafs or Genus there; but every Plant will 
follow thatathich it next exceeds, in fome mark of certaintys © The two methods are, and 
mutt be, diftingt in their manner, as they are in their purpofe : hére we feek to Enow Plants ; 
there we fhall fiudy, being known, to arrange them; here we are to look for general dit- 
tinctions, there we are to obliterate them; we can only know things by diftintion ; and 
- we can only underftand them by connection. The marks of Claffes and of Genera, are ar- 
bitrary and artificial ; nature knows no difference but of Species, from Species. | Thete dil 
tinGtions are vague and temporary, but her’connections certain and eternal.’ ~~ Fs 
Two Genera differ by fome arbitrary charaéter; and it is by this diftin@tion that we know 
the Plants which belong to each : but when we know them we can place them better ; 
for we may then find natural relations eafily ; and we (hall certainly pive them the prefer - 
ence to artificial Characters. Thefe doétrines, {trange to the minds of many who are filled 
with modern fyftems, it may be needful to explain by iniftances, 
THE great Swede obferves, that in many Plants the Chives cohere fengthwit, fo as to. 
form atube ; and he makes this the character of an artificial Clafs : this Character is found 
in Plants the moft unlikein nature: It is in the Violet, and in the Sun Fhwer. The Clafs 
was ingenioufly devifed, and this mark anf{wers its purpofe ; for by obferving this tube of 
Chives in the Violet, the ftudent is taught to look for it in the Syngenefious Clafs ; and by 
the fubfequent diftintions of Orders and Genera, in that excellent writer; he will: foon find- 
to what genus and what name it belongs. | 
A MAN who had never feen a Violet, would thus plainly and eafily be led to know ‘the 
Plant; but he mutt be a poor philofopher if he would reft contented with that knowledge ; 
and he muft entertain very limited, and very humble notions of {cience, if he would cal] this 
knowledge, Botany. ’Tis true that fo far only artificial fyftems carry him: they have 
taught him to know the Plant with certainty ; but he will eafily perceive it has another — 
place in nature : its general form does not agree with that of the Sun-Flower ; nor will he 
be led to expect in it the fame Virturs. eS 3 : 
PERHAPS it will be thought the Violet is placed with lefs violence to nature, here, in our 
artificial method ; but it was not to court that praife the Plant is mentioned. There may be 
a thoufand artificial methods devifed; and though that will be certainly bett, which, with 
equal diftinétnefs, comes the neareft nature, yet none of them are to be valued for more than 
they intend, nor preferved longer than they are wanted. They give the knowledge of in- 
dividuals, and upon that, all other knowledge muft be founded 3 therefore there cannot be 
too much care or labour employed in forming them: but when they have ferved their 
purpofe, let them be rejected. Though particular knowledge is 
ledge that is great: and when the ftruéture fhall be raifed, let 
down the {caffold. ; 
uleful, it is general know- 
no one wonder we throw 
_AccEPT favourably, candid reader, fo much on this great fubje@ of a natural method 
We would have you entertain a juft as well as great idea of this fcience ; 
having this {uperior light in view, you will perceive it more and more difc] 
you; you will advance in one, as you purfue the other. The Cla of Aco 
rank in this our artificial fyftem, is very near the real place the Plants 
affords a plain and ufeful inftance ; it will encourage you perhaps, 
the connection is much more ob{cured by neceflary diftin@ions, 
and by always 
ofe itfelf upon 
Aggregates, whofe 
will have in nature, 
to purfue the track where 
CHAP, 
