( W ) 
with, the parts of fructification form obvious 
and agreeable marks of fpecific diftin&ion, 
as in fome of the hypericums, the fpecies 
are diftinguifhed by their number of ftyles ; 
and in gentiana, the form and divifion of the 
corols afford an obvious and permanent dif- 
ference, which cannot be miftaken by the 
m oft fuperficial obferver. 
But before the young ftudent can hope to 
arrive at a ready difcrimination of plants, he 
muft ftudy leaves under all their various 
forms. It is from leaves that the moft eler 
gant and natural fpecific diftinftions are 
taken. Nature delights in variety in, none 
of her works more than in that of leaves.. 
The different forts are exceedingly numerous, 
and ought to be attentively ftudied by every 
pupil in botany. In the prefent part of the 
fubject they are to be confidered only as 
marks of diftin&ion, by which the individuals 
of a genus are known from each other. 
Their ufe and formation belong to another 
part of the ftudy. They muft be taken me- 
thodically, and they will not then be found 
difficult to underftand, with the afliftance of 
the plates and botanical terms and definitions 
given at the beginning of the Syftem of 
Vegetables, 
