■■om *?■>?&■''. 
■^■■i 
22 
diseased individuals would surely never be taken by 
the botanist for characteristic examples of the species. 
Indeed it is highly probable, that every species of 
plant, in its natural region, has a determined colour, 
or suite of colours. Hence colours may be used as a 
most interesting character, particularly in those sys- 
tems of botany which are termed Natural. 
" This character may also be advantageously used 
in giving correct ideas of the changes of colour which 
plants experience by cultivation, or when removed 
from their natural soil and climate. Interesting co- 
loured maps might be constructed, to shew the gene- 
ral changes in the colour of the vegetable world from 
the equator towards the poles ; and the difference of 
colours in vegetables in the two hemispheres, and in 
the Old and New World. 
" In the Animal Kingdom, the number of colours 
is very great. They often form the most striking 
feature in the external appearance of the species; 
and hence have been considered by systematics as 
affording discriminating characters of much value. 
The agriculturist, engaged in the breeding of ani- 
mals, often witnesses striking changes in their co- 
lours, and these varieties of colour, either alone, or 
