number of them, which frequent the vicinity of human habitations, this arrangement of Providence, by making ungrateful what is dangerous, has furnished almost the only safeguard from harm, to the inexperienced and unwary. These remarks have been offered on account of an impression which many persons entertain, that collateral evidences of the characters of plants are worthless and undeserving of attention. Even if the community were composed exclusively of physicians, such an opinion could not be wholly correct. Every one may be called on to form hasty decisions on subjects where his experience is deficient, and where an acquaintance with auxiliary facts might lead him to a correct issue. It is not only curious and instructive to perceive the harmonies of nature, but to every inquirer among her works it must be practically useful. It can no where be more useful, or more deserving of study, than in a new country, where the face of nature presents an ungathered harvest, and where every clue to useful discovery derives importance from its influence and tendency. |