11 
highly improved by that accuracy and observation, which are necessary to 
discriminate the various objects that pass in review before them. This im¬ 
provement may be carried to a degree, of which those who are inattentive 
to it, have no idea. The sight of Linnaeus was so penetrating, that he is said 
never to have used a glass even in his minutest inquiries. But our own 
neighbourhood affords a striking instance of an individual,* who, although 
wholly deprived of sight, has improved his other senses, his touch, his smell, 
and his taste, to such a degree, as to distinguish all the native plants of this 
country with an accuracy not attained by many of those who have the ad¬ 
vantages of sight, and which justly entitles him to rank with the first 
botanists of this kingdom. 
Independent of the propriety of the creature admiring the works of the 
beneficent Creator, and of the advantages resulting to the individual, who 
attaches himself to this study, as enlarging the understanding, and rendering 
his mind more orderly in every concern of life, and his senses more acute, 
he will find that there results also from the pursuit of botany the most heart¬ 
felt satisfaction. 
Senebier derived much of his pleasure during life, and consolation 
when in advanced age, from the study of plants. After explaining in the 
French Encyclopaedia their physiology, he concludes, “ It is thus that plants 
ever present themselves for our regards; they charm us by the beauty of 
their forms, the richness of their shades, and the pleasure they spread around 
our habitations; they alone afford delight, without leaving behind any 
inquietude. The heart overwhelmed with grief, the sight fatigued by 
exertion, find in the verdure of fields, adorned with flowers, both comfort 
and refreshment. Affecting spectacle! Thou calmest the anguish of the 
unfortunate, at the same time augmenting the happiness of those whose lot 
is prosperous! For us the rose kindly unfolds to our view her smiling 
colours. The pink at the same time flatters our sight, and our smell, 
by its agreeable emanations. A thousand other flowers, of different 
forms, every moment present themselves to our notice. Fruit-trees, after 
gratifying our sight, deposit into our hands the most delicious food. The 
waving corn and golden sheaves delight every heart. We meet with other 
kindly vegetables which can assuage our pain and cure our maladies. I 
* Mr. Gough, of Kendal. 
D 
