An introduction to botany. Containing an explanation of the theory of that science, and an interpretation of its technical terms. Extracted from the works of Dr. Linnaeus [and translated by S.F. Gray, Snr.], and calculated to assist such as may be desirous of studying that author's method and improvements : with twelve copper-plates, and two explanatory tables. To which is added an appendix; containing upwards of two thousand English names of plants referred to their proper titles in the Linnæan system / By James Lee, Nurseryman. At the Vineyards, at Hammersmith.

  • Lee, James, 1715-1795.
Date:
1760
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introduction to botany. Containing an explanation of the theory of that science, and an interpretation of its technical terms. Extracted from the works of Dr. Linnaeus [and translated by S.F. Gray, Snr.], and calculated to assist such as may be desirous of studying that author's method and improvements : with twelve copper-plates, and two explanatory tables. To which is added an appendix; containing upwards of two thousand English names of plants referred to their proper titles in the Linnæan system / By James Lee, Nurseryman. At the Vineyards, at Hammersmith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    P'R E F A C E, not founded on any Knowledge of the Anatomy of Flowers, either in thofe Trees, or any others. In this dark State the Dobtrine of the Sexes of Vegetables remained, not only through all the Ages of Antiquity, but almoft till the End of the laft Century, the Moderns feeing no more of this Doblrine than the Ancients had done before them ; and hence we have to this very Hour in Ufe the faife Diftinbiions of male and female Spe¬ cies of Cornus, P^eony, Ciftus, and many others, which have all hermaphrodite Flowers,' the Diff tinbbon in thefe Cafes being grounded on nothing more than fome Difference in the Habit of the two Species with which the Sexes are no ways concerned. The Honor of having firff fuggeffed the true fexual Diftinblions in Plants appears to be due to our own Countryman, Sir Thomas Millington; from whofe Flints Doblor Grew, as the Debtor himfelf acknowledges, was led to the Obfervations he has given on this Subjebb, in his Anatomy of Plants * *. After this, Camerarius, Moreland, Ge- offroi, Vaillant, Blair, JuJfieu and Bradley', pur- fued their Enquiries and Experiments fo far as to remove all Doubt concerning thele Difcoveries; and lafily, Doctor Linnaus founded thereon the * Publifhed in the Year 1682. The Doctor exprefles himfelf thus :—44 In Difcourfe hereof with our learned 44 Savilian Profeifor, Sir Thomas Millington, he told me, 44 he conceived that the Attire doth ferve as the Male, for *4 the Generation of the Seed. I immediately replied, *x that I was of the fame Opinion, and gave him fome Reafons for it, and anfwered fome Objebtions which 44 might oppofe them, Anat. of Plants, p. 171. Syftem