ACTON GARDENERS’ SOCIETY. 
Ill 
to the intense action of light, such as vast plains of snow, or masses of 
glittering limestone: whence it is inferred, that the colour of the red 
snow is attributable to the action of light, modified in some mysterious 
manner by the nature of the body on which it strikes; in confirmation of 
which hypothesis, it is remarked, that, when Lepraria kermesina is 
found under the stems of trees, stones, or in the crevices of rocks, where 
light can scarcely gain admittance, its colour gradually passes from red 
to green. 
These simple plants, some of which constitute the so-called red 
snow and hail, and rain, and dew, and others which consist of one 
or several cellules, distinct or coadnate, give way to more advanced 
and regular structures in the Confermnos. or Boneworts; and these 
again to the higher grades immediately contingent, known familiarly 
as sea-weeds, lavers, or kelp-ware.— Bur. Bot. 
The above is extracted from the first lecture on botany, delivered at 
the King’s College by the late Professor Burnett, and, with the rest of 
the course, recently published. As a teacher of the science of botany, 
the late Professor adopted that of synthesis. (( Such a demonstration 
begins with the simplest plants ; with those which have the fewest and 
simplest parts; with vegetables consisting sometimes of only a single 
organ, and thence gradually proceeds to develope their combinations in 
the more complex structures, as each additional organ is added or 
involved; until at length the most elaborate organisms, which, 
considered by themselves, would seem intricate and obscure, are ren¬ 
dered clear and intelligible, from many of their intimate component 
parts having been previously examined in detail, and in their distinct 
and independent states.” 
Other teachers pursue an opposite course, beginning with the 
highest, and ending with the lowest grades of vegetation. By this 
plan, it is said, a knowledge of the science, or at least of plants, is 
sooner attained ; because the first being more gross, and consequently 
more perceptible and tangible, are easier comprehended and stored in 
memory, than by studying, in the first place, mere atoms of vegetation 
which are wholly microscopic. There is something like plausible 
reasoning in this, but it is no better reasoning than is used bv those 
who assert that a language may be learned without the drudgery of 
studying the rules of grammar: or, that a person may be an able 
botanist, without knowing one iota of either vegetable organography 
or physiology. 
Acton Gardeners’ Society, established on the 1st of October , 
1832.—The objects of this Society are to improve its members in the 
scientific knowledge of gardening, by forming a library of useful books 
to be circulated among the members; by meetings at stated inter- 
