( "7 ) 
to fhelter fix perfons from the fun or rain ; a 
luxuriancy of vegetation of which europeans 
can form but very inadequate ideas. 
Linneus has annexed to his Genera Planta- 
rum an attempt to arrange all known ve- 
getables according to their natural affinities ; 
which, from the principle of his artificial 
method, are necelfarily feparated, and diftri- 
buted amongft the various claiTes in his fyf- 
tem. To eftablifh a natural method, or one 
founded on the numerous, permanent, and 
fenfible relations, that one plant bears to 
another, has been attempted by many emi- 
nent botanifts, and with much iuccefs in re- 
gard to many of the genera ; but, unlefs the 
fpecies could alfo be arranged in the fame 
manner, a fyftem cannot be eftablifhed upon 
thefe principles. The fuperior excellence' of 
an artificial fyftem feems now to be generally 
allowed, as more readily leading us to the 
knowledge of a plant, that we may wifh to be 
acquainted with, fo far as it's clafs and order* 
However,, Linneus was of opinion, that time 
would difcover a natural fyftem ; and that all 
plants, of what order fo ever, would be found 
to mow an affinity to fome others, to which 
they are nearly allied ; and on this principle 
1 3 he 
