for the advance of Botany. 115 
their botanical and horticultural gardens. But if such great inte- 
rest is felt in the mere cultivation of fine flowers and handsome fruit; 
if the mere gratification of the eye or of the palate can stimulate so 
many to the laudable exertions which are made in support of these 
societies, with their costly medals, and numerous prizes and extra 
prizes, how much deeper interest would they feel if they would once 
consent to add somewhat of a more intellectual character to their 
scheme, and contrive to occupy their thoughts with the engaging 
pursuits of scientific botany, or attempt a few of those important 
experiments which might be turned to account in establishing the 
leading principles of vegetable physiology. To those who have 
never paid any attention to speculations of this kind, but have been 
hitherto satisfied with merely admiring the forms and colours of the 
splendidly beautiful flowers which result from high culture and suc- 
cessful art, there often appears a degree of mystery or difficulty hang- 
ing over such researches which deters them from attempting any- 
thing partaking of a really scientific character. It is undoubtedly true 
that something like an intellectual exertion is required to master 
the first principles of this science, and to become acquainted with 
the technical nomenclature necessarily established for the purpose 
of facilitating our advance. But what is this when compared with 
the higher stretch of thought requisite to master the rudiments of 
abstract science. To obtain a knowledge of a science of observation, 
like botany, we need make very little more exertion at first than is 
required for adapting a chosen set of terms to certain appearances 
of which the eye takes cognizance, and when this has been attain- 
ed, all the rest is very much like reading a book after we have learnt 
to spell, where every line and every page affords a fresh fund of in- 
tellectual enjoyment. It is on these grounds that we would parti- 
cularly recommend every horticulturist or other person any way oc- 
cupied in the cultivation of plants, to increase his stock of intellec- 
tual enjoyment by conducting his pursuits in connection with scien- 
tific inquiry. 
Great advances have been made within the last half century in 
various departments of this science, in the classification of plants 
upon sounder principles than those which had so long been predo- 
minant ; in obtaining more accurate details of their anatomical struc- 
ture, owing to the greatly improved condition of the microscope ; in 
the more perfect analyses which organic chemistry has furnished of 
the immensely numerous products of vegetation ; and lastly, in cer- 
tain generalities relating to the geographic distribution of plants. 
But still we are very far removed from perfection, either as relates 
