the continual use of the Linnæan system, as it would be for philologists and logicians to slight the convenience, and indeed necessity, of the alphabet, and to substitute the Chinese character in its stead. If the following pages be found to elucidate and to confirm this comparison, I wish the student to keep it ever in view.
The illustration of the Linnæan system of classification, though essential to my purpose, is however but a small part of my aim. To explain and apply to practice those beautiful principles of method, arrangement and discrimination, which render botany not merely an amusement, a motive for taking air and exercise, or an assistance to many other arts and sciences; but a school for the mental powers, an alluring incitement for the young mind to try its growing strength, and a confirmation of the most enlightened understand-
