INTRODUCTION. 
3 
nature : It is in the Violet , and in the Sun-Flower. The Clafs was 
ingenioufly devifed, and this mark anfwers its purpofe ; for by obferving 
this tube of Chives in the Violet, the ftudent is taught to look for it in 
the Syngenefious Clafs ; and by the fubfequent diftindtions of Orders 
and Genera in that excellent writer, he will foon find to what genus and 
what name it belongs. 
A man who had never feen a Violet, would thus plainly and eafily 
be led to know the Plant ; but he muft be a poor philofopher if he 
would reft contented with that knowledge ; he muft entertain very li- 
mited, and very humble notions of fcience, if he would call this know- 
ledge, Botany. ’Tis true that fo far only artificial fyftems carry him : 
they have taught him to know the Plant with certainty j but he will 
eafily perceive it has another place in nature : its general form does 
not agree with that of the Sun-Flower ; nor will he be led to expedt in 
it the fame Virtues. 
Perhaps it will be thought the Violet is placed with lefs violence to 
nature here in our artificial method j but it was not to court that praife 
the Plant is mentioned. There may be a thoufand artificial methods 
devifed, and though that will be certainly beft, which, with equal 
diftindtnefs, comes the neareft nature, yet none of them are to be valued 
for more than they intend, nor preferved longer than they are wanted. 
They give the knowledge of individuals, and upon that, all other 
knowledge muft be founded ; therefore there cannot be too much care 
or labour employed in forming them ; but when they have ferved their 
purpofe, let them be rejected. Though particular knowledge is ufe- 
ful, it is general knowledge that is great : and when the ftrudture fhall 
be raifed,. let no one wonder we throw down the fcaffold. 
Accept favourably, candid reader, fo much on this great fubjedl 
of a natural method here : we would have you entertain a juft as well 
as great idea' of this fcience; and by always having this fuperior light 
in view, you will perceive it more and more difclofe itfelf upon you ; 
you will advance in one as you purfue the other. The Clafs of Ag- 
gregates, whofe rank in this our artificial fyftem, is very near the real 
place the Plants will have in nature, affords a very plain and ufeful in- 
ftance ; 
