BOTANY. 



299 



drical, concave, convex, smooth, rough, hairy, wooUy, spi- 

 nous, or furnished with tubular spines, by which a poison- 

 ous fluid is discharged, as in the Common Nettle ; if the 

 edges are entire, or serrated, if surrounded by a margin ; the 

 position they grow in should likewise be noticed,whether from 

 the crown of the root or from the trunk, stems, or stalks, 

 if they grow singly or in pairs, threes, &c., or in whorls; 

 their relative position one to another, if opposite, alternate, 

 or irregular; these particulars merit the closest attention, 

 as they are those which often afford the best specific charac- 

 ters ; if there be any Bracteae or floral leaves, if these difi'er 

 in form or colour from the other leaves ; the form^ 

 duration, texture, or absence of the Calix ; as also the same 

 particulars relative to the petals in the Corolla ; the number, 

 situation, and form of the Stamens, Pistils, Seed Vessel, and 

 Seed ; by attending to these, much useful information will 

 naturally accrue, and the dissemination of the particular 

 structure of the parts common to each plant, as growing in 

 its native or wild state, will tend greatly to the removal 

 of difficulties with which many exotic species are encum- 

 bered. 



The Philosophy of Botany, like that of every other branch 

 of Natural History, does not consist in forming extensive 

 collections, or in acquiring a scientific acquaintance with the 

 nomenclature of the various species; but in asce taming 

 their uses, qualities, and relations as respects other subjects, 

 and their own peculiar ccconomy and history ; it is 

 these particulars that give interest to this and every 

 pther science, and are those that a true Naturalist 

 ■^ill ever have in view ; in contemplating the varied 



