BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE. 433 



family names such as Fungi, Lichenes, Algae, may be used for 

 names of groups above the rank of family. 



2. Orders are designated preferably by the name of one of their 

 principal families, with the ending -ales, e.g., Polygonales from 

 Polygonaceae. Suborders are designated in a similar manner, 

 with the ending -ineae, e.g., Malvineae from Malvaceae. But other 

 terminations may be retained for these names, provided that they 

 do not lead to confusion or error. 



3. The names of families are designated by the name of one of 

 their genera or ancient generic names with the ending -aceae, e.g., 

 Rosaceae from Rosa, etc. The following names, owing to long 

 usage, are an exception to the rule : Palmae, Gramineae, Cruciferae, 

 Leguminosae, Guttiferae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, and Compositae. 



4. The names of genera should be substantives (or adjectives 

 used as substantives) in the singular number and written with a 

 capital letter, which may be compared with our own family names. 

 These names may be taken from any source whatever and may 

 even be composed in an absolutely arbitrary manner, as Rosa, 

 Convolvulus, Liquidambar, Impatiens, and Manihot. 



5. The names of all species, even those that singly constitute 

 a genus, are designated by the name of the genus to which they be- 

 long, followed by a name (or epithet) termed specific, usually of 

 the nature of an adjective (forming a combination of two names, a 

 binomial, or binary name). The specific name should, in general, 

 give some indication of the appearance, the characters, the origin, 

 the history, or the properties of the species. If taken from the 

 name of a person, it usually recalls the name of the one who discov- 

 ered or described it, or was in some way concerned with it. Specific 

 names begin with a small letter, except those which are taken f rom 

 names of persons or those which are taken from generic names. 



The student should endeavor to fix in mind the general prin- 

 ciples concerning botanical nomenclature and should devote special 

 attention to the generic and specific names and the rules which 

 govern their formation. In addition he should familiarize himself 

 with the meaning of the names, as this will enable him to memorize 

 and spell them correctly. The following is a partial list of some of 

 the principal generic and specific names, giving as far as possible 

 the origin of the names and their significance : 

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