The book describes the innovations that enabled botany, in the Eighteenth century, to emerge as an independent science, independent from medicine and herbalism. This encompassed the development of a reliable system for plant classification and the invention of a nomenclature that could be universally applied and understood. The key that enabled Linnaeus to devise his classification system was the discovery of the sexuality of plants. The book, which is intended for the educated general reader, proceeds to illustrate how many aspects of French life were permeated by this revolution in botany between about 1760 to 1815, a botanophilia sometimes inflated into botanomania. The reader should emerge with a clearer understanding of what the Enlightenment actually was in contrast to some popular second-hand ideas today.

This volume completes a trilogy meant to be a commentary on the botanophilia that captured the literate public in 18th-century France. Enthusiastic public support for any governmental initiative likely to expand botanical knowledge was an expression of immense curiosity about the natural world beyond Europe. It amounted to a quest for universal knowledge that could benefit all mankind: useful knowledge that could improve the human condition in this life.

etween 1772 and 1799, Dominique Chaix wrote 170 letters to Dominique Villars. B None of the letters that Vtllars wrote in response have survived, and there is evidence to indicate that Chaix simply did not retain incoming letters once they had served their informative purpose. Villars, blessed with more ample facilities, kept incoming letters; and those from Chaix are now preserved in the Bibliotheque Municipale de Grenoble in three volumes under the number RI0073. A transcription of them for public use was made earlier in this century under the supervision of Georges de Manteyer [Georges-Barthelemy-Marie Pinet de Manteyer] when he was archivist of the Department of Hautes-Alpes. I am gready indebted to Mme Marie-Fran~ise Bois-Delatte, Conservateur des Fonds Dauphinoise at the Bibliotheque Municipale d'Etude et d'lnformation in Grenoble, not merely for making these letters available to me, but for her eagerness to see someone take an interest in Dauphinois botanists. I met a similar friendly interest at the Archives du Departement des Hautes-Alpes in Gap. I thank M. Pierre-Yves Playoust, Directeur des Services, and members of his archival staff for the cordial assistance in my search for materials documenting the career of the abbe Chaix. I am also obligated to the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for providing me photocopies of Villars' letters in their Allioni collection. They relate to the composition of a flora for Dauphine and are revealing of Villars' character.

The book describes the innovations that enabled botany, in the Eighteenth century, to emerge as an independent science, independent from medicine and herbalism. This encompassed the development of a reliable system for plant classification and the invention of a nomenclature that could be universally applied and understood. The key that enabled Linnaeus to devise his classification system was the discovery of the sexuality of plants. The book, which is intended for the educated general reader, proceeds to illustrate how many aspects of French life were permeated by this revolution in botany between about 1760 to 1815, a botanophilia sometimes inflated into botanomania. The reader should emerge with a clearer understanding of what the Enlightenment actually was in contrast to some popular second-hand ideas today.

This volume completes a trilogy meant to be a commentary on the botanophilia that captured the literate public in 18th-century France. Enthusiastic public support for any governmental initiative likely to expand botanical knowledge was an expression of immense curiosity about the natural world beyond Europe. It amounted to a quest for universal knowledge that could benefit all mankind: useful knowledge that could improve the human condition in this life.

Master the theory and practice of linear state-space control systems design

With a strong emphasis on practical aspects, here is a comprehensive introduction to state-space methods for the analysis and design of linear control systems, ideal for practicing engineers and researchers as well as students preparing for advanced study in systems and control theory.

Beginning with a concise introduction to state-space methods, Linear State-Space Control Systems provides readers with a solid foundation in linear systems and control theory, all grounded in the real world by examples and exercises taken from practical applications. A strength of the text is its rigorous mathematical treatment of the fundamental concepts and theoretical results, supported by a chapter-by-chapter tutorial on the use of the popular software package MATLAB and the associated Control Systems Toolbox for computer-aided control system analysis and design.

Chapters discuss: State-space fundamentals Controllability Observability Minimal Realizations Stability The design of linear state feedback control laws Observers and observer-based feedback control laws Optimal control

Highly readable and accessible, this unique combination of control theory and practical applications will bring both students (advanced undergraduates and graduate students) and practicing professionals up to speed on a field that is seeing growing importance in engineering today.

The Christmas Cookies Holiday Story Collection is a sweet treat for the soul. This anthology is a baker's dozen of both heartwarming and inspiring stories for all ages, from children and teens to adults. The timely holiday themes, including five award winning tales, capture the true spirit of the season through over a dozen different slices of life. You will experience the magic and wonder of the holiday season with stories including Snowflake, Magic Balloons, The Snowman Contest, Angel Rescue, Christmas Crystal, The Holiday Show, The Christmas Card, Lori's Silent Night, Christmas Carousel, The Christmas Duck, War Takes a Holiday, That Christmas Spirit, and Christmas Reflection. Also included is a bonus story titled The Quackers Christmas, a children's tale about a family of ducks and their unplanned Christmas Eve adventure. The Christmas Cookies Holiday Story Collection will brighten anyone's holiday season.

The Holiday Short Story Collection by Thoughts from the Pond is a set of nine heart-warming original short stories including four award winners by RL Williams. The holiday themes capture the true spirit of the holiday season through nine different slices of life. Stories include Snowflake, Angel Rescue, Magic Balloons, Lori's Silent Night, Christmas Carousel, The Christmas Duck, War Takes a Holiday, That Christmas Spirit, and The Snowman Contest. Experience the spirit of the holiday season reading this collection alone or with family and friends. Also included in this edition is a special free bonus children's story titled The Quackers Family which is great to share with children year round. The author has dedicated this book to all lost and homeless animals, past and present. The Holiday Short Story Collection makes a great gift that is truly unique.