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RUDIMENTS OF THE NATURAL SYSTEM OF BOTANY. 
Lord Bacon, the brilliancy of whose philosophic genius has shed its rays 
upon even our enlightened era, is reported to have destroyed the whole of 
the works on gardening with which his library was furnished, because the sub- 
jects were too superficially or dogmatically treated. Since that period, the British 
nation has been continually advancing in intelligence, and yet, at the present time, 
the demand for philosophical literature is, in this department, far from being fully 
met and satisfied. Botanical science, rather than horticultural art, — comprehen- 
sive principles in preference to individual experience, — are now, we believe, almost 
universally sought. 
In endeavouring to gratify this pleasing propensity, we have been among the 
first to abandon the old and still frequently-practised system of conducting floricul- 
tural works ; and while, in express elucidation of vegetable structure and processes, 
a greater or less number of our pages are monthly occupied, we are led to conceive 
that some simple observations on systematic arrangement, in wdiich likewise a popu- 
lar account of the organs of plants is embodied, will meet with acceptance. Few 
in the more respectable classes of society will now be found who are not in some 
way aiming to obtain a knowledge of botany. This taste — at once worthy of 
the noblest minds, and innocuous and elevating to the feeblest — is rapidly spread- 
ing. It reckons among its followers the inmates of palaces, and is not unknown 
to simple hearts in cottage shades. It establishes a communion of sentiment 
between individuals whom pecuniary circumstances would otherwise separate, and 
invariably brings in its train social and domestic order and comfort. We therefore 
hail its extension as a national blessing, the token and evidence of peace and 
refinement, and the precursor of honour and prosperity. 
To those who shrink from the effbrt to master the natural system of botany, 
on account of its extent, intricacy, and, in some parts, apparent anomaly, we 
here intend to supply a sketch of its main principles, preparatory to a more 
enlarged or particular display of the different orders. It will soon be seen that 
we do not contemplate any tedious prolixity of description, nor the employment 
of many technical terms. Whatever may have before appeared in our Magazine 
connected with this subject, there exists an absolute necessity for laying a proper 
foundation in this place, by declaring and illustrating the first great divisions 
which botanists recognise. We shall avail ourselves, in matters of detail, of the 
works of Dr. Lindley, who, in this country, may be said to have taken the lead in 
the improvement and explication of this system. 
Two prime divisions, termed classes, serve to embrace the entire vegetable 
world. These are designated by botanists Vasculares and Cellulares. Fas- 
VOL. VI. NO. LXVIII. A A 
