58 PUNCTUATION OF 



literal, and unambiguous. They are not allowed to be 

 expressed in the comparative degree, though some- 

 times admitted, of late, in the superlative. They must 

 be positive, not negative ; devoid of obscure compa- 

 risons ; contain no adjective but what follows its sub- 

 stantive; no article, connecting particle, or paren- 

 thesis. 



Linnaeus has adopted an arbitrary mode of punctu- 

 ation in Specific Characters, in which the usual power 

 of the different signs is reversed. He uses a Comma 

 (, ) to separate the different parts of the plant which 

 come into the Specific Character. This is most fre- 

 quently wanted, as between the Stem and Leaves and 

 Infloresence, if they all happen to occur. A Semi- 

 colon ( ; ) separates two descriptions of the same or- 

 gan, as Radical Leaves from the rest. A Colon (:) 

 is introducedbetween the several parts or divisions of 

 any one organ, as the segments, margin, or veins of a 

 Leaf. A period ( . ) of course, as usual, closes the 

 sentence. The intention of this method seems to be, 

 to lead the mind to a longer pause, in proportion as 

 the parts under consideration are most nearly related. 

 To practise it quite correctly requires more attention 

 than is usually bestowed ; and even Linnaeus, or his 

 printer, makes frequent, though not very serious mis- 

 takes. The following examples are correct : — 



Biscutella siliculis giafrris,foliis lanceolatis serratis. 



Dentaria foliis inferioribus pinnatis ; summis sim- 

 plicibus. 



