Principles of scientific botany, or, Botany as an inductive science / by J.M. Schleiden ; translated by Edwin Lankester.

Date:
1849
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Principles of scientific botany, or, Botany as an inductive science / by J.M. Schleiden ; translated by Edwin Lankester. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC BOTANY. INTRODUCTION. Botany, as an inductive science, comprehends the study of the laAvs and forms of the Vegetable Kingdom. As an experimental science, it takes a very low position ; and, at present, embraces but a very narrow circle of actually established facts, few indications of natural laws, and no fundamental principles and ideas by which it might be developed. This becomes very obvious when even the answer to the question, “ What is a Plant ? ” is yet a problem of Botany. Hence, it must proceed with its researches upon un- doubted plants, and extend itself cautiously and exclusively in the path of Induction. § 1. Botany is a branch of the one and entire Science of Na- ture : since this embraces the laws of Physics and Chemistry, these are indispensable branches of preliminary knowledge. Botany is also, in itself. Science; consequently the highest product of the activity of the human understanding : but this may be led into error, and follow wrong paths. If we would find truth, we must know accurately what are the laws according to which the powers of the mind work. Botany, therefere, requires a philosophical cul- ture, that is, knowledge of a theory of the intelligent Reason, founded upon an empirical Psychology; in a word, a critical Philosophy. § 2. The objects of Botany are actual existences — natural bodies. These must be examined in all possible ways; and to this many aids are necessary, for even the parts invisible to the naked eye must be investigated. 14