VI 
PREFACE. 
organs, such as the length, number, or position of the sta- 
mens and pistils, which is the foundation of the system of 
Linnseus : but by characters essential, and collected from 
different classes of organs, in accordance with the affinities 
which Nature herself has established. And not the least 
recommendation is, that the Families of Plants thus consti- 
tuted, comprehend individuals not only allied in their more 
obvious peculiarities, but also possessing similar properties, 
whether useful or otherwise, in Medicine, Domestic Econo- 
my, or the Arts. This System of classification is therefore 
peculiarly adapted to the arrangement of a Flora which 
is new or but imperfectly explored, the uses of the Plants 
it comprehends being comparatively unknown. The com- 
mon properties of each Family of the Natural System have 
already been in a great measure established. When we 
meet therefore with a new plant, and discover the Natural 
order to which it belongs, we are provided with a key which 
informs us of certain of its properties, and a guide in our 
further inquiries as to the different uses to which it may be 
applied. 
Great, however, as the advantages are by which the 
Natural System is recommended, still it must be allowed, 
that it is not so well adapted for the Tyro in Botany. A 
certain acquaintance with the science is previously neces- 
sary before the student can avail himself of its classification 
in detecting the place which a plant, presented to him for 
the first time, occupies in the system. It may be otherwise, 
when, after the labours of many succeeding Botanists, we 
may be enabled to see the way clearly before us, and we 
may have the path which Nature has followed, distinctly 
traced out for our guidance ; and with the same ease that 
we can point out the individuals composing the well-marked 
Families of the Leguminosae and the Melastomaceje, so 
also, the Orders which are ill-defined being remodelled with 
characters distinct and obvious, wc shall, with equal facility, 
