Method, 315 
call Jyjlem, in the writings of the antients ; 
by whom are pre-eminently fignified, Theo- 
PHRASTUs, DioscoRiDES, and Pliny. 
Their knowledge of vegetables was con- 
fiiied to a few that w^re ufed in medicine^ 
and in the arts and conveniences of life ^ and 
in treating on them, their fubjects are placed 
in great and inordinate divifions, without 
the fmalleft approach to what is now meant 
by clajjification. 
Theophrastus treats his fubjed, in 
general, philofophically. In his book T)e 
Caujis Plantarum,'" he confiders the propa- 
gation, culture, qualities, and ufes of Plants 
in general ; but defcribes very few. In his 
Hijioria Plant arum in which are de- 
fcribed, or enumerated, about 500 fpecies, 
he begins with the organization, the gene- 
ration, and propagation of Vegetables, He 
then treats largely, in his third and fourth 
books, on Trees. In thQ fifths on Timber, 
and the choice of the befl. In the Jixth^ 
on Shrubs, thorny Plants, P.ofes, and other 
ornaments of gardens. In t\\Q /event h^ on 
pleraceous Plants, an^ wild Plants. In the 
ftghthy copioufly on Grain of all kinds, 
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