Further on to the lower end, on the west side of the garden, we arrive at the other arrangement according to the system of Linnæus; but the plants here are by no means so numerous as in the one we have just been considering, although being natives, or the produce of our own island, they cannot fail to be peculiarly interesting to the British botanist; while, on the opposite, or east side of the grounds, in a line with this collection, our senses are regaled, in a more than ordinary manner, by the delightful fragrance arising from, and the beautiful exhibition of, a most sumptuous display, or bed of roses, containing, it is said, no less than 500 in number. Beyond these, a little further to the south, the na tural classification or system adopted by Jussieu, comprehending, it is presumed, specimens of the whole of his 15 classes, and of a considerable portion of his 100 orders, all appearing in so many circular compartments, or little plots of different sizes, but all distinctly separated from each other, burst upon the view, conveying, it may be supposed, to the admiring naturalist, some idea of what he might expect to see in the cele brated jardin des plantes at Paris, where the specimens are arranged according to this method.+ transmitting their names to posterity with his own ;"|| and in those of another : "Attacked by numerous and rancorous adversaries, who cowardly and morosely addressed the prejudices of the vulgar against him, he only retorted by embellishing his portrait with a monkey teasing a bear, in allusion to their characters, and sensible of his own."§ Smith's Discourse on the Rise and Progress of Natural History. § Thornton's Memoirs of Lee. * There are, I understand, no less than 86 of the natural orders of Jussieu in this arrangement. The remaining 14, consisting of exotics that will not bear the rigour of our climate, are of course excluded. It seems to have been the object of Jussieu to combine the nature he system of this ingenious Frenchman, (although is little danger at present of its superseding that nnæus, in those places, where, in the language of . E. Smith," the names established throughout works are become current coin, nor can they Itered without great inconvenience,") is not ut its separate merits; for Sir James himself acledges," we shall find we learn more from the ts and queries of Jussieu, than from the asserof most others ;" and were it for no other purthan to escape such an embarrassment as that into Sir James himself is said to have fallen, by forg the French name, when he wished to make inquiry about the fructification of a plant, at the rated Bonnet at Geneva, it would be well for Bri h the natural and artificial systems of Linnæus in one. He like Linnæus in his natural orders, viz. first distinguishing by the structure of their seed; viz. those which had no cotyledon, he denominated the first class; those having one cotyledon, of he formed three classes; and those having more than one cotyof which he formed eleven classes, so that he had in all 15 - distinguished chiefly by the manner of the insertion of their Es and corolla. ach of these fifteen classes he comprehended so many orders, the first, 6 orders; in the second,4; in the third, 8; in the fourth, he fifth, 1; in the sixth, 6; in the seventh, 4; in the eighth, 15; inth, 4 ; in the tenth, 3; in the eleventh, 3; in the twelfth, 2; in teenth, 22; in the fourteenth, 13; and in the fifteenth, 5: makO orders in all. One of the principal merits in the system of Jussaid to be the comprehensive view it enables the botanist to the whole range of the vegetable world, including what natucall monsters in the vegetable kingdom, (i. e. double flowers ;) but has its defects, for, as has been justly observed, "the insertion stamens is more difficult to understand than the mere counting mber of them." tish botanists to make themselves acquainted with both systems before setting out upon their travels. To the south of the arrangement of Jussieu, we come to a small spot, where a range of artificial rocks may soon be expected to be clothed with their suitable inhabitants; and Sediums, and Saxifrages, and other Alpine plants, be added to the number already to be found in this grand exhibition of the beauties and varieties of the vegetable kingdom. Beyond this, is a fine sheet of water about 150 feet long by 40 broad, which has already become the reeeptacle of Water-lilies, Sagitarius, Typha, Hippuris or Mares-tail, and other aquatic or water plants, the culture of the tender species of which, we are told, "was scarcely known in Scotland before Mr Macnab introduced the practice; and in his collection, which is pretty considerable, are a number of valuable specimens, most of them new in this country."* In the neighbourhood of the sheet of water, there is a fine display of that beautifully fascinating, and long conti nuing flower, (but of recent introduction into this coun try,) the Dahlia; and, at a small distance behind the receptacle of water-plants, properly so called, we have another pond, or basin, intended for the accommodation of marshy plants, beyond which there is a plantation of willows. In short, nothing seems to be wanting, or in a train of progress, to render this garden a model of its kind. Besides what are already enumerated; for our limits permit us to do little more than enumerate them, dispersed through the garden, in different directions, we * Stark's Picture of Edinburgh, edit. 1829. a numerous collection of the various tribes of the y of shrubs. The Cerealia and Gramina, or, orns and grasses, are to be found in the places alfor them,-while trees and shrubs, arranged, as as possible, according to their natural affinities Formed into belts, as was before observed, are made rround the garden; and, (although these are yet eir infancy, which makes them form a fine conwith the venerable appearance of the Weepingthe Weeping-ash, and the Evergreen Oak, which severally been removed from the old garden,) proat a future period, to make the Botanic Garden of burgh become famous for its refreshing shades, its retreats, and its venerable walks; and a place of able resort, in that season of the year, when it must sarily be best adapted for the purposes of instrucand improvement in that amusing and engaging ce for which it has been set apart,-by the beauties ora being in their most luxuriant state, and her ers, in consequence, most amply disclosed. eantime, there is little doubt, that under the indeable care and scientific management of Mr Macnab, 1 every day become more and more interesting. In quence of which, and the laudable exertions of or Graham, to render a pleasing, but hitherto too neglected study, more popular, it is to be hoped, Edinburgh may become, at no great distance of the Upsal of Britain, and be no less famed for its nical knowledge, than it has long been as a School edicine. CHAPTER XXIX. ANIMALS. The Fresh water Polypus one of the connecting links between the Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms.-Linnæan classification of Animals —Astonishing number of-Yet all are comfortably lodged, clothed and fed.Surprising instincts of domestic animals in the choice of their food. The situations and clothing of animals well adapted for them-The former regulated according to their size-The latter, according to temperature.-Winter clothing of animals-Summer clothing-Casting of the hair.-Moulting of Birds.—Change of colour in some Animals according to temperature.-Harmony of the Universe, how preserved.-Internal structure of Animals, an evidence of their Divine origin-Motion, a distinguishing characteristic of Animals.—Organs of sense-Of respiration.—Amazing quantity of blood that passes through the heart of animals in 24 hours.-Every part, or organ, in the Animal economy necessary, and wisely placed-Natural reflection, arising from the manner in which animals are reproduced-Provision made by nature for keeping them within due limits.-Animal instincts. "Let us read The Living Page, whose every character "Vust chain of being! which from God began, No glass can reach—from infinite to thee." "And Gon made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and GoD saw that it was good."—GEN. i. 25. IN ascending from the VEGETABLE to the ANIMAL KINGDOM, One cannot help his attention being forcibly engaged by the singular construction and amazing properties of those little wonders, found at the bottom |