[19] In the German State forests, the timber, when cut down, is
frequently not transported by road, but is made to slide down the
mountain-sides by timber-shoots into the streams or rivers; it is then
made up into rafts, and so floated down to its destination.
[20] Jussieu's natural system of botany may possibly be here alluded
to. The celebrated "Genera Plantarum" appeared in 1798, and Froebel was
at Jena in 1799. On the other hand, A.J.G. Batsch, Froebel's teacher,
professor at the university since 1789, had published in 1787-8 his
"Anleitung zur Kentniss und Geschichte der Pflanzen," 2 vols. We have
not seen this work. Batsch also published an "Introduction to the Study
of Natural History," which reached a second edition in 1805.
[21] In justice to Froebel and his teacher, it must be remembered that
the theory of evolution was not as yet formed, and that those who dimly
sought after some explanation of the uniformity of the vertebrate plan,
which they observed, were but all too likely to be led astray.
[22] The text (Lange, Berlin, 1862) says _meinen aeltesten Bruder_, that
is, "of my eldest brother;" but this is quite an error, whether of
Froebel or of Herr Lange we cannot at present say.
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