i6 
CHAPTER I. 
gradual progrefs of reformation throughout 
the fcience in general. 
A lift of the Anglo-Saxon names wOuld 
be recoverable^ in a great degree, by recur- 
ring to the old herbals, to Skinner's Lexi- 
con, and other authorities of that kind. It 
would, I am perfuaded, be more extenfive 
than a fuperficial view might fuggeft, and 
would do credit to our Saxon anceftors. 
I cannot help remarking, that many mif- 
takes have probably arifen from the neglcd: 
of our firft reformers of Botany in England^ 
after they had formed fcientific names, in 
not preferving alfo the old and provincial 
terms ; and that, on the whole, this ne-* 
glefb has retarded the progrefs of knowledge 
on this fubjed:. 
CHAP, 
