CONSPECTUS OF THE NATUKAL SYSTEM. 91 



tany, or vegetable physiology, and forms not only part 

 of the legitimate study of the systematic botanist, but is 

 also independently studied by microscopic observers in 

 general, affording a high degree of intellectual pleasure, 

 not only in beholding the varied wonders and works of 

 nature in the structure of plants, but also assisting to 

 explain some obscure functions of life. It is also of 

 great practical use in detecting the frauds in adultera- 

 tions of food, woven fabrics, the qualities of timbers, and 

 the like ; as well as being of great assistance to the 

 chemist and pharmaceutist. 



By the first the student is furnished with means for 

 ascertaining the names of plants and their position in the 

 system. While the second is of importance in assisting 

 him to ascertain the virtues and economical uses of 

 plants, which we now proceed to consider. 



