104 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
On examining its characters, even by the very slight knowledge already 
attained, we soon perceive one prominent distinction, which the other nine genera 
do not possess, viz., in the corolla, the lower segment being much smaller, every 
way, than the other three. Now let us look down this tabular view of the 
genera,* under the second column, headed “ Corolla’ (where all the peculiar 
forms of this part of the flower are noted), and see if we find any allusion to this 
circumstance. 
Here we read, “ lowest segment smallest,” in the third genus, Veronica ; nor 
is this distinguishing characteristic observed in any other. We have before us 
therefore the genus Veronica or Speedwell, and on referring to descriptions of 
these plants, their uses, habits, &c., may be ascertained. At present we would 
recommend you to study genera only. Learn to discriminate these well, and a 
knowledge of species will easily be acquired. Dr. Withering advises the 
young student to confine himself to the examination of genera alone for a con¬ 
siderable time. 
Observation, and that alone, must be your teacher. Wearisome tasks com¬ 
mitted to memory are worse than useless. Reasoning, description, and the like, 
always suppose and refer to knowledge already acquired. You require food ere 
you can digest and assimilate for the wants and functions of the system ; in like 
manner observation, the great Book of Nature, must first furnish you with 
materials for the acquisition of our science. The eye being the principal inlet to 
knowledge, to this therefore we appeal. Knowing how to use the eyes is an 
immense advantage, and to some, probably, like the opening of a new sense. 
Those who have begun to read botanical works are doubtless aware of the great 
preliminary labour that must be gone through before any practical results can be 
obtained. Your tools have yet to be made ere you learn their use. We will try 
if we cannot borrow them ready to our hand. 
Writers on Botany generally begin where they ought to finish. For instance, 
all sorts, shapes, qualities, &c., of roots, stems, leaves, are described, useful only 
in distinguishing species. These, however, must be studied, and committed to 
memory along with whole pages of terms outlandish and ill-understood. No 
wonder the student is soon tired, and few, even of those who set out courageously, 
ever retain sufficient information to enable them to put in practice what know¬ 
ledge they have with much time and assiduity obtained. Being of no immediate 
practical utility, tedium is followed by disgust, and the study is abandoned. One 
instance, and not a solitary one—Out of an elementary botanical work of 376 
pages, professing to be the most easy and pleasant road to an acquisition of the 
* Mr. Roby intends publishing this tabular view of the British genera, with an abridgement of 
his lectures, illustrated by wood-engravings, provided he finds that sufficient encouragement is. 
likely to be afforded to the undertaking. 
