81 
BOTANY AS A SCIENCE. 
We propose to take a somewhat enlarged view of this subject as regards its 
usefulness and moral agency, but not by any means to enter upon the question of 
Systems. Botany, generally, does not appear to extend. Gardeners and practical 
men have little time which they can devote to abstruse subjects. Among amateurs 
there are few who can study affinities, and some persons openly declare that they 
consider the attempt as morally objectionable. Tastes and mental temperaments 
differ ; indolence is also prevalent, and where that is the case, the Cui bono ? is ever 
the appeal. The difficulties which meet the student of the so-called Natural 
System are much to be lamented ; but the truth is, we really know very little, and 
are only making approaches ; hence it is, that the science is confined to a few learned 
professors, and to those persons who are led on by genius to the pursuit of an object, 
in the attainment of which they are qualified to excel. 
The taste for Physiological Botany is a natural gift ; and this being admitted, we 
will endeavour, by reference to some worthy authorities, to repel the objections of 
those who dogmatically endeavour to mar the pleasure of others, by assuming the 
character of judges. 
The following is extracted entire and verbatim from the first edition of the 
" Natural History of Selborne," by the late Keverend and estimable Gilbert White, 
Letter XL., dated June 2, 1773, to the Hon. Daines Barrington :— 
" The standing objection to Botany has always been, that it is a pursuit that 
amuses the fancy and exercises the memory, without improving the mind or advanc- 
ing any real knowledge ; and, where the science is carried no further than a mere 
systematic classification, the charge is but too true. But the botanist that is desirous 
of wiping off this aspersion, should be by no means content with a list of names ; 
he should study plants philosophically, should investigate the laws of vegetation, 
should examine the powers and virtues of efficacious herbs, should promote their 
cultivation, and graft the gardener, the planter, and the husbandman, on the phy- 
tologist. Not that system is by any means to be thrown aside ; without system the 
field of Nature would be a pathless wilderness ; but system should be subservient 
to, not the main subject of pursuit. Vegetation is highly worthy of our attention ; 
and in itself is of the utmost consequence to mankind, and productive of many of the 
greatest comforts and elegancies of life. To plants we owe timber, bread, beer, 
honey, wine, oil, linen, cotton, &c. ; what not only strengthens our hearts and exhi- 
larates our spirits, but what secures us from inclemencies of weather and adorns our 
persons. Man, in his true state of nature, seems to be subsisted by spontaneous 
vegetation ; in middle climes, where grapes prevail, he mixes some animal food with 
the produce of the field and garden ; and it is towards the polar extremes only that, 1 
like his kindred bears and wolves, he gorges himself with flesh alone, and is 
VOL. XV. NO. CLXXII. M 
