238 
BOTANY IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
It was not until the latter part of the seventeenth century that anything 
like a system of botany was instituted by those pioneers of science already 
enumerated; foremost among these worthies is Nehemiah Grew, who, for 
copiousness, ingenuity, and originality of thought, stands alone, and who, 
with all his intellectual powers, continually recognizes the Almighty Being 
“ from whom, to whom, and by whom are all things.” 
In estimating any great work, we must always bear in mind the times and 
the circumstances in w hich an author was placed when he wrote,—we shall 
sometimes be surprised to find how little was known of things now found in 
elementary books of instruction; but there is greater cause for surprise, as 
well as admiration of the amount of knowledge possessed, and, also, for humi¬ 
liation that we have not made greater progress. The Materia Medica of the 
seventeenth century comprises many powerful medicines which have not 
been, nor are likely to be superseded,—camphor, cantharides, colocynth, 
belladonna, stramonium, tobacco, aconite, henbane, opium, castor oil, rhu¬ 
barb, squills, etc. Two kinds of purging-nuts, one described as that of 
Angola, the other of Barbadoes ; judging from the description and engraving, 
they probably belong to the croton family. The seeds of Ricinus Americanus 
and Nux vomica are also figured, together with the berry of coffee and its 
anatomy. 
The discrimination of gums is excellent, “ Mastick, and divers others, com¬ 
monly in our bils to Apothecaries called Gums, yet in strict speaking they 
are so many Rosins. Oylv gums, as Sagapen, Ammoniac, Opoponax, were 
originally a milky juice, while Gum Arabic, and that from the Cherry-tree, 
are nothing more than dried mucilages.” 
It is much to be regretted, with all our appliances for the impartation 
and the acquirement of botanical knowledge, as a branch of education, 
both for medical and pharmaceutical students, it should be so lightly regarded. 
How often do we hear the excuse for inefficiency thus accounted for, “Never 
studied botany much, but I’m vastly fond of chemistry ” ! A medical autho¬ 
rity hints that “too much prominence is given to botany, to the exclusion of 
more important subjects.” With all due deference, it may be said that botany 
is inclusive of other very important subjects; the vast economy of nature 
depends mainly upon the vegetable kingdom. 
To the pharmaceutical student botany offers numerous advantages. Firstly, 
a most agreeable recreation, conducive to health and enjoyment; in pursuing 
a course of botanical study, the observant as well as the reflective faculties are 
developed and improved. Secondly, the interest attaching to localities. 
Thirdly, the geology of districts, in regard to the distribution of plants. 
Fourthly, the physical geography of countries producing drugs all over the 
world. Fifthly, the physiology of plants, as revealed by the microscope. 
Sixthly, the chemical principles they contain. 
Of all these particulars does Grew discourse, concluding with a course of 
chemical experiments upon the salts of plants, in which he was assisted by a 
London apothecary, who thus vouches for his care in conducting the various 
processes minutely detailed :— 
“ I do declare that all the Lixivial Salts, mentioned in this and the fore¬ 
going Discourse except that of Firne , were faithfully prepared by me.— 
John Blackstone.” 
With such examples before him, and with such able instructors as are pro¬ 
vided by our noble institution, the student of botanical pharmacy is without 
excuse. 
Moreover, it is incumbent upon him, not merely to acquire just enough 
information as will enable him to creditably pass an examination, but to carry 
through life those lessons which are in reality the germs of knowledge and 
