VII HISTORY OF THE. 
SCIENCE. 
Sb. 
Borany, asa branch of Natural History, has only 
lately attained that degree of perfection in which we 
see it now. Though the scientific knowledge of the 
ancients deserves great praise, yet they were very 
‘little acquainted with Natural History. A botanist 
at that time scarcely deserved the name. The whole 
knowledge of plants consisted in a few very unde- 
termined names, merely preserved by tradition. 
However, as,man soon after began to feel the ne- 
cessity and the utility of a better knowledge of na- 
ture, more attention was paid to this point. Tspe- 
cially great care was taken to fix proper appellations 
to the different parts of organization, and to direct 
the attention even of those that were not studying . 
the science, to this important branch of natural 
science. After the art of printing, so favourable 
for science, was invented, figures of plants began to 
be engraved. These first drawings of plants were 
only cut in wood. Plants which have a striking dif. 
2 ference 
