38 PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION. 



which cannot well be referred to any of his natu- 

 ral orders. 



100. The same imperfection occurs in the Fragments 

 of a Natural Method, left by Linnseus, and it is re- 

 remarkable that the comparative number of such 

 doubtful Genera is very similar in both these ar- 

 rangements. 



101. The foregoing observations concerning Classi- 

 fication, are also applicable to the Generic distinc- 

 tions of plants; but in their latter application they, 

 are deduced from all, or any, of the seven parts 

 of Fructification (52), according as each may af- 

 ford the most clear and essential difference. 



102. Generic Characters are of two kinds, the natu- 

 ral and the essential. 



103. Natural Generic Characters are a concise, tech- 

 nical, but full description of the seven parts of 



, Fructification of each Genus, in their natural or- 

 der, as in sect. 52, so as to apply, as nearly as 

 possible, to every known Species. Such are con- 

 tained in the Genera Plantarum of Linnaeus. 



104. Essential Generic Characters consist of the 

 striking and essential differences, between one 

 Genus and another, in any one or more of those 

 seven parts, with respect to insertion, structure, 

 division, or any other permanent mark ; such parts 

 being disposed in each, according to their relative 

 importance, for such discrimination, in the Natu- 

 ral Order to which the Genus in question belongs. 

 Characters of this kind are given in the Sy sterna 



