2Br. Jlanassd) Cutler. 
2 3 
This fhows, perhaps, that Dr. Cutler appreciated (for the 
Italics in the juft-quoted paffage are his own) that adum- 
bration of a natural fyftem which was afforded or fuggefted 
by the artificial; and his inftances — the Graminecz, the 
Borraginacece, the UmbellifercB, the Labiate?, the Criiciferce, 
the Malvacece, the Compojitce, &c; though thefe are cited 
under the divifions, not of the natural, but of the fexual 
fyftem — are ftill more to the point. There are other 
obfervations of intereft; and the fuggeftion is made, that 
perfons mould collecl: the plants of their diftrifts, and fend 
them from time to time to the Academy. 
Dr. Cutler was thus, poffibly, the firft to fuggeft a bo- 
tanical chair in our colleges, and a general herbarium to 
illuftrate the Flora of New England; and perhaps it was 
this laft which led him to propofe a ftill more important 
undertaking. " It has long been my intention, 1 " he fays in 
a letter to Prof. Swartz, of Upfal, dated 15th October, 
1802, "to publifh a botanical work, comprifing the plants 
of the northern and eaftern States; and [I] have been 
collecting materials for that purpofe. But numerous avo- 
cations, and a variety of other engagements, has occa- 
fioned delay. It is, however, ftill my intention, if my 
health permits, to do it. But, at this time, far lefs than in 
years paft, there is very little encouragement given here to 
publications of this kind." 1 
About three hundred and feventy plants are indicated in 
the publifhed " Account " of Dr. Cutler. It was not to be 
1 Mss. Cutler, penes me. 
