lfi(V..
XIV i n t r o d u c t io n .
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Fuc’oid e® ; the hitter over the Ulvaceac, aiul these last again
over the D ic ty o te^ :. He estimated the numher o f species
known to hotanists (including the articulated Algce) to he
1600, which is certainly considerably exaggerated. The total
amount o f species supposed to exist was conjectured hy t te
same author to he at least five or six thousand. I f this he an
approximation to the truth, we cannot he said to he well acquainted
with a fifth part o f the subaqueous vegetation ol the
globe. . ,.
Enlargement o f mind, and juster views of physical as wel
as o f mwa l subjects, is one o f the many blessed effects ol
Christiaiiitv. God, who created all things, pronounced them,
as they proceeded from his hands, to he “ very good.” We
arc taught to consider external nature as composed o f an innumerable
assemblage o f created beings, animate and inanimate,
all dependent one upon the other, a,nd forming one
grand and heautiful whole, no part o f which is deficient, none
Lperfluous. Individuals do unquestionably exist, who, in the
pride o f their philosophy, pronounce Botany to he a frivolous
pursuit— or a profitless science, whose chief feature is a lexicon
o f barbarous terms—or a pretty lady-like amusement.
Others, again, are ready to confess, that it may he very proper
for a medical man to study it professionally, hut look down with
contempt upon that mind whicli can devote its energies (as
they sarcastically express it) to pulling asunder the petals o f
a rose, or counting the stamens o f a l i ly ; and w ere we to look
to nothing farther, it must be confessed they would have
much reason on their side. Such individuals who regard the
vegetable kingdom itself, or at least certain parts o f it, as beneath
investigation, have authorities on their side. Tlie Romans,
when they wished to pronounce any thing utterly
worthless, said it was alga projecta vilior. H o r a c e could see
nothing in the alga inidilis, and would probably have sincerely
pitied the man who attempted to study the economy
o f that which he had denominated useless. It is gratifying
to perceive how rapidly all such prejudices are fading away.
Dr J o h n so n observes, that, “ he that enlarges his curiosity
after tlie works of Nature, demonstrably multiplies the inlets
to happiness.” Sir H um ph r e y D avy, too, inspired with the
same feeling, remarks, “ Many of the sciences are evidently
pursued and considered as proper objects of study for all refined
minds, merely on account of the intellectual pleasure they
afford; merely because they enlarge our views of Nature, and
enable us to think more correctly with regard to the beings
and objects surrounding us.” Botany is now becoming a
favourite study and an elegant recreation, without meeting
with more than an occasional sneer from the class above
mentioned, or a faint ejaculation from the matron of the old
school, who remembers to have been told in her early days,
that young ladies, a t least, were more profitably employed
in adding to the family receipt-book, and confining their natural
history to indescribable performances In cross-stitch.
The more we extend our researches into the vegetable
kingdom, the more will every susceptible mind he excited to
proceed. We shall find the most delicate and elaborate processes
ill ceaseless progression on the mountains and in the
valleys—the meadows and the recesses of our woods, all subje
c t to immutable laws. We shall find colours unrivalled,
odours inimitable, and forms exhaustless in variety and grace,
daily developed in the grand laboratory of Nature, demanding
only to he seen to extort our unqualified admiration, and
leading us irresistibly to contemplate the glory of that Almighty
Being from whom so many wonders emanate; and,
“ who, not content
With every food of life to nourish man.
Hath made all nature beauty to his eye
And music to his ear.”
“ Not a llowfer
Hut shews some touch in freckle, streak, or stain.
Of his unrivalled pencil. He inspires
Tlieir balmy odours, and imparts their liues.
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes.
In grains as countless as the sea-side sands.
The forms, with which he sprinkles all the earth.
Happy who walks with Him ! Whom what he finds