By Dr. Noehden. 



293 



of Altenburg, exhibiting a System of Pears, that is, a classi- 

 fication, under which the different sorts of that fruit are 

 arranged. It seems to be the intention of that Society, to 

 project similar systems for the other fruits. In such a task, 

 two requisites are to be considered; first, that tf making the 

 divisions and subdivisions ; and secondly, that of fixing the 

 characteristics, by which the fruits are to be discerned. 

 The latter will be the most difficult point to attain ; it will 

 require sagacity and judgment, and extensive knowledge. 

 What has been done by the Altenburg Society, appears 

 to me neither sufficiently scientific, nor comprehensive ; yet 

 credit is due to its Members, even for the imperfect at- 

 tempt, which they have made. It proves, at least, that 

 they have felt the defect which exists, and have been in- 

 clined to do justice to that faculty of the human mind, which 

 always seeks to dispose, in a certain order, the objects 

 of knowledge. Their system is designed as a copy of the 

 Linnean method, and contains Classes, Orders, Genera, 

 and Species ; also Families, as a subdivision of Species. The 

 limits of those divisions are, in my opinion, not separated 

 and defined, with adequate strictness ; but greater objec- 

 tions will perhaps be made to the characteristics which 

 have been assumed as the elements of the arrangement. 

 For instance, those derived from the colour and flavour of 

 the fruit, may, I apprehend, prove too precarious and un- 

 certain to be relied on. The core and seeds are left en- 

 tirely out of the consideration. If our Society were to 

 take this matter in hand, it might perhaps, with the parti- 

 cular advantages it possesses, not be unsuccessful in it? 

 endeavours, and to a certain degree, effect the desired 



