378 



Notice of Books : 



[April 



but to erroneous associations of plants, either only remotely or not at 

 all allied, in the same groups. 



" The objects of this work may now be briefly summed up : they are, 

 first, to explain the principles of grouping plants according to their na- 

 tural affinities, and illustrating these by figures of species appertaining 

 to each group: and, secondly, to show, by adducing a variety of exam- 

 ples of the fact, that, in a great majority of instances, similarity of 

 structure, or botanical relationship, is accompanied with similarity 

 of properties ; and, Listly, to prove that these premises lead to ilie infe'r- 

 encf, that, having ascertained by careful examination and comp;irison 

 its nearest botanical relatives, the properties of which are kixnvn, 

 we are often enabled to infer the properties of an imperfectly known 

 plant. In addition to these more immediate objects, 1 have endeavour- 

 ed to render it a supplement to our Prodionms, by a running com- 

 mentary on that work, and by the description of such new species 

 as have come into my possession since its publication. To ren- 

 der the information thus embodied in these pages as easily accessible 

 as possible, I have added a very copious index, including every name 

 and noting every page where it occurs. By this means any one is 

 enabled, with little trouble, to trace a family through all the relations, 

 whether botanical, economical or medical, in which it occurs in these 

 pages." 



Introduction. — " It is laid down as an axiom by some eminent modern 

 Botanists, ' that nature only creates species, and knows nothing of a 

 natural system of Botany.' This, it is added, is entirely a human contri- 

 vance, founded on a consideration of the resemblances existing between 

 the parts, properties and qualities of plants, according to which their 

 affinities are determined, and species, having the greatest degree of 

 relationship in all these particulars, are placed next each other, in such a 

 "Way, that the qualities or intimate structure of an imperfectly known 

 plant, may be inferred from a careful consideration of the known quali- 

 ties and structure of those nearest to which its botanical characters 

 would place it, in a system constructed on these principles. Whether or 

 not this theory be just, I will not stop to enquire, for, so long as the ob- 

 ject is obtained, 1 feel quite satisfied that the method by which we at- 

 tain it, whether a mere human contrivance or the work of nature herself, 

 is so infinitely superior in its fitness for the supply of human wants, and 

 for furnishing matter for philosophical enquiry, to all the artificial ones 

 that have gone before, that there can be no hesitation as to the propri- 

 ety of its instant adoption, whatever may be the difficulties to be, in the 



