Chemical Plant Taxonomy

It is difficult to give an adequate account of the methods of classical plant taxonomy in a limited space without neglecting certain fields which might legitimately be included under this title. Nor would it be particularly useful to dwell either on the factual historical background, which is in any case richly documented in botanical libraries, or on the details of the traditional taxonomist's procedure, which might be tedious and would certainly be difficult to illustrate. This chapter is therefore mainly concerned with the general practice of plant taxonomy, and with the historical background in so far as it is essential to explain that practice. Since, however, it is not possible to understand the methods of taxonomy without reference to principles or to the philosophical and general scientific background, I have thought it necessary to include such topics where appropriate.