vi INTRODUCTION. 
Having thus endeavoured to give some idea of the nature of the arrangement adopted 
in the following pages, it now only remains for us to point out the nature of those characters 
on which the distinctions of ORDERS, GENERA, and srecIEs depend. The orders or families 
are founded on the same principles as the genera, being merely genera of a more com- 
prehensive nature, as a genus is a group of species having a close relationship or affinity to 
each other, but whose characters are of a less important nature, than the order itself. When 
the genera of a particular order are numerous, they have been grouped into sub-orders or 
tribes, whose characters are of less importance than those of the orders, but greater 
than those of the genera ; the characters on which all these are founded, are usually 
derived from the fruit, flowers, and seed, and the appearance of the leaves, whether stipulate 
or exstipulate, alternate, or opposite ; but species differ from each other in the shape, nature, 
or position of the leaves, petals, bracteas, &c., and in the situation and disposition of the 
flowers. Genera, whereof the species are numerous, have been separated into sections and 
divisions, which may be termed sub-genera, being distinguished by characters of a lesser 
importance. Varieties are either minor distinctions depending upon soil, situation, habita- 
tion, culture, or colour of the flowers, but when they possess features of a more permanent 
nature they have been termed sub-species. Hybrids are plants arising from the commixture 
of two species, and which by impregnation partake of the nature and properties of both 
parents. 
We shall conclude these introductory observations with an outline of the Linnean 
artificial method, a knowledge of which may be of advantage to some readers of the system, 
as the Linneean class and order are given at the beginning of each generic character in the 
body of the work : and with instructions for the management of hothouse plants, &c. 
INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTIFICIAL SYSTEM OF LINNAEUS. 
CLASSES. Class IV. TETRANDRIA (from rerpac, four). Stamens 
FIRST GRAND DIVISION. l four. Example Galium. 
Class V. PENTANDRIA (from mevre, five). Stamens 
five. Example Solanum. 
Class VI. HEXANDRIA (Ë, six). Stamens six. Ex- 
§ 1. Flowers hermaphrodite. ample Narcissus. 
Class VII. HeEPranpRt (from rra, seven). Stamens 
seven. Example Æsculus. 
PLANTS with conspicuous flowers, that is to say, having 
the parts of fructification evident. 
* Stamens not united. 
Class I. MONANDRIA (from povoc, one, and avnp av- Class VIII. OCTANDRIA (from oxtw, eight). Stamens 
cpoc, a male). Stamen one. Example Canna. eight. Example Erica and Fuchsia. 
Class II. DIANDRIA (from dé, twice). Stamens two. Class IX. ENNEANDRIA (from evvea, nine). Stamens 
Example Veronica. nine. Example Rheum. 
Class HI. TRIANDRIA (from rpee, three). Stamens Class X. DECANDRIA (from Seka, fen). Stamens ten. 
three. Example Crocus and Valeriana. Example Rhododendron and Baptisia. 
