mTRODUCTIGN. 
11 
Ghemistiy, "by forming compounds of previously existing ele- 
ments, have, in some degree, superseded their use. Although 
the science of medicine has received much additional light 
from Chemistry, it may in modern days have occupied the at- 
tention of medical men too exclusively ; inducing them tu toil 
in their laboratories to form those combinations which natur* 
has done more perfectly in the plants which they pass un- 
heeded ; for, in reality, the medicinal productions of the animal 
and mineral kingdoms bear but a small proportion to those ol 
the vegetable. When our forefathers came to this country, 
they found the natives in possession of much medical knowl- 
edge of plants. Having no remedies prepared by scientific 
skill, the Indicms were led, by necessity, to the use of those 
which nature offered them ; and, by experience and observa- 
tion, they had arrived at many valuable conclusions as to the 
qualities of plants. Their mode of life, leading them to pene- 
trate the shades of the forest, and to climb the mountain preci- 
pices, naturally associated them much with the vegetable 
world. The Indian woman, the patient sharer in these excur- 
sions, was led to look for such plants as she might use for tlie 
diseases of her family. Each new and cm-ious plant, though 
not viewed by her with the eye of a botanist, was regarded 
with scrutinizing attention ; the color, taste, and smell were 
carefully remarked, as indications of its properties. But the 
discoveries and observations of the Indians have perished with 
themselves ; having had no system for the classification or de^ 
scription of plants, nor any written language by which such a 
system might have been conveyed to others, no other vestige 
remains than uncertain tradition, of their knowledge of the 
medicinal qualities of plants. 
5. The study of nature, in all her forms, is highly interesting 
and useful. But the hemenly hodies are far distant from us ; — 
and were they within our reach, are too mighty for us to 
grasp ; our feeble minds are overwhelmed in the contemplation 
of their immensity. Animals^ though affording the most strik 
ing marks of designing wisdom, cannot be dissected and ex- 
amined without painful emotions. The vegetable world ofters a 
boundless field of inquiry, which may be explored with tlie 
most pure and delightful emotions. Here, the Almighty mani 
fests himself to us, with less of that dazzling sublimity which 
it is almost painful to behold in His more magnificent crea- 
tions ; and it would seem that, accommodating the vegetable 
world to our capacities of observation, He had especially de- 
signed it for our study and amusement, as well as om' sus- 
tenance and comfort. 
Experience of the Indians with respect to plants —5. Study of nature — Various departr*^Bts. 
