CLASS CRYPTO GAMA. 
251 
rather to show you, that the “ ways of the Almighty are un- 
searchable, and past finding out !” 
After what has been remarked upon the difficulty of analy- 
zing the plants belonging to the Crytogamous class, you will 
not need to be discouraged, should you be baffled in your at- 
tempts to investigate them. It is well for mankind that there 
are philosophers, whom the enthusiasm of scientific pursuits 
will lead to spend years, even a whole life, in searching into the 
fructification of a moss or mushroom ; or in examining into the 
natural history of an ant or a spider ;* as thus, discoveries are 
continually brought forward, which add to the general stock of 
knowledge. This is a kind of martyrdom in the cause of science 
to which but few seem called, by the powerful impulses of their 
own minds. Females, in particular, are not expected to enter 
into the recesses of the temple of science ; it is but of late, that 
they have been encouraged to approach even to its portals, and 
to dare to glance upon the mysteries within. 
We have now completed our general view of the vegetable 
world, according to the order in which the different tribes of 
plants have presented themselves. As we followed in the train 
of classification, we have endeavoured to notice the most con- 
spicuous, and to trace their natural relations, as well as their ar- 
tificial arrangement. 
In many cases, departing from the plan of general remarks, 
we have traced the natural history of some one genus, believing 
this method more likely to make a permanent impression, than 
merely general views. When we read the history of nations, 
tve often feel less interested in the fate of a whole people, than in 
that of some prominent individual : if the imagination is pre- 
sented with general ideas only, it has no opportunity of fixing 
itself upon any single circumstance in order to create a lively 
picture in the mind. The same remark may apply to natural 
history. When you now look back upon the view just taken 
of the vegetable world, and examine what impressions are most 
lively in your minds, you will probably find them to be respect- 
ing some particularities of individual plants. Of this tendency 
of the mind we should avail ourselves, by connecting these par- 
ticular impressions with facts which lead us to general principles. 
Very narrow indeed, would be our mental vision, were it to be 
confined to single unconnected observations, laid up indiscrimin- 
* I have been gravely assured by a naturalist of distinction, that the 
study of spiders is one of the most elegant and delightful of all pursuits. 
Enthusiasm of some naturalists — View of Classification completed — 
General ideas make little impression on the mind — Particularities of indi- 
vidual plants best remembered. 
