126 
SYSTEM OF LINNJEUS. 
lies, is not wholly free from this confusion, it is much more so than 
any other, which has been invented. 
Although we do not now receive the method of Tournefort for 
practical uses, a knowledge of it may extend your views of botanical 
science. When we accustom ourselves to take but one view of a 
subject, we are in danger of acquiring a contracted mode of thought. 
We are not to suppose that the system of Linnaeus is perfect; but 
may well imagine that men of science will arise, who shall discover 
principles now hidden, and look back upon what they will call the 
very imperfect state of our sciences. We should rejoice that the 
human race is thus destined to a degree of improvement beyond our 
highest powers of calculation. “ What should we think of a savage,” 
says an elegant writer,* “if, in the pride of his ignorance, he was to 
conceive his own thoughts and feelings to- be the noblest of which 
the human intellect is capable ? And perhaps even the mind of a 
Newton, is but the mind of such a savage, compared to what man is 
hereafter to become.” 
The system! of Linnaeus has, in its principal features, been laid 
before you.J This system not only includes within it all known 
plants, but is founded on such principles as must comprehend with¬ 
in it whatever plants may yet be discovered. Its author believed 
that no plant was destitute of stamens and pistils ; but at the same 
time, that there were species in which these organs were so small, 
so obscure, of such a singular formation, as to render it difficult, and 
sometimes impossible, to be certain of their existence, except by the 
principle of analogy. Therefore, he made the two grand divisions 
of plants Y Phenogamous, such as have stamens, and pistils visible, and 
Cryptogamous , stamens and pistils invisible.§■ 
You must not forget, that species, genus, order, and class,, are 
mere abstract terms, denoting certain distinctions which would 
equally have existed, although we had never observed them, or given 
them names. 
An Individual is an organized being, complete in its parts, dis¬ 
tinct and separate from all other beings. An oak, a rose, and a 
moss, are each of them individuals of the vegetable kingdom. 
A Species includes such individuals as agree in certain circum¬ 
stances of the roots, stems, leaves, and inflorescence. We have no 
reason ta suppose that any new species, either of animals or vegeta¬ 
bles, have been produced since the creation. We sometimes see 
varieties ip plants made by cultivation ; the stamens and pistils, from 
excess of nourishment, expanding.into petals. Varieties are also oc¬ 
casioned by strewing the pollen from one species, upon the stigma 
of another ; but such plants do not produce perfect seed, and there¬ 
fore cannot reproduce themselves. Colour, taste, and size, are not 
considered as marks of specific difference. 
* Dr. Thomas Brown. 
t System, differs from method in having bat <>ne single primitive character, and in 
founding its principal divisions upon the consideration of only one single organ or 
principle. Linnaeus founded his system upon the consideration of the stamens, as 
more or less, numerous, upon their proportion, connexion, and their absence. Newton 
founded his system of Natural Philosophy upon attraction . The vital, principle is the 
foundation of all systems of Physiology. Method is not confined to the consideration 
of one character; it employs all such as are conspicuous and invariable. 
t See Part I, page 24. 
§ Mirbel believes there are some plants absolutely destitute of stamens and pistils; 
these he calls agamous. 
Advantages of taking different views of a subject—Human mind destined to pro¬ 
gressive improvement—What is the difference between system and method ? See note 
—What is said of the system of Linnaeus—The terms species, genus, &c.—What is an 
Individual ?—What is a species ? 
