26 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
The number 62 points to Papaveracese among the natural fam- 
ilies of Jussieu, Pavaveracece. You cannot at present exactly 
understand what is meant by natural families, but when you 
have become familiar with the analysis, and different parts of 
plants, with their uses, we will give an explanation of them, and 
of the principles by which they are arranged. 
In the commencement of a new science, it is not to be ex- 
pected that every idea, or principle of arrangement will seem 
perfectly clear, as they may often relate to other principles not 
yet explained. In architecture, we know it would be impossible 
to form a clear idea of the use or beauty of a particular part of 
an edifice, until it was considered in its relation to the whole. 
The beginner in any branch of scientific knowledge, is not like 
one travelling a straight road, where every step is so much 
ground actually gained ; but the views which he takes are like 
the faint sketches of a painter, which gradually brighten and 
grow more definite as he advances. 
The idea which was formerly entertained, that students must 
learn perfectly every thing as they proceed, appears to be found- 
ed upon a wrong view both of the nature of the mind, and of 
the sciences. If to repeat words were the only object in learn- 
ing, the rule might be a good one ; but words are only valuable 
as instruments of conveying knowledge to the mind ; and if, 
occasionally, after careful attention to the subject, something in 
your lessons may appear obscure, you need not attribute the 
difficulty to the dulness of your own faculties ; it may arise 
from want of clearness in an author’s style, or the subject may 
be connected with something which is to follow ; therefore, you 
should patiently proceed, with the hope and expectation that 
difficulties will gradually disappear. 
We shall not at present give any more examples of analyzing 
plants. With even the little practice you have now had, you 
can analyze flowers of any of the thirteen first classes ; but it 
is necessary for you to know before proceeding farther, that the 
two circumstances of the number and insertion of the stamens, 
are not all that you are to take into consideration, in the ar- 
rangement of the classes ; this was not sooner observed, that 
your minds might not be confused at first with too many new 
ideas. 
You are now prepared to comprehend the general features of 
the Linnaean system, and to study the whole of the classes and 
orders in a connected view. Before proceeding to this, it seems 
necessary that you should have some knowledge of Greek 
Remarks respecting" the commencement of a new study — 
