SPECIFIC NAMES. 29^5 



a plant is often commodiously expressed In its specific 

 name, as Brassica oleracea^ Papaver sommferum^ Ino- 

 carpus edulis ; so is likewise its time of flowering, as 

 Primula veris, Leucojum vemum, (sstivum and autwnna- 

 /<?, and Hellehorus hyemalis. 



When a plant has been erroneously made into a new 

 genus, the name so applied to it may be retained for a 

 specific appellation, as Lathrcea Phelypcea and Bartsia 

 Gymnandra ; which may also be practised \vhen a plant 

 has been celebrated, either in botanical, medical, or any 

 other history, by a particular name, as Origanum Dic- 



and Rosa Cherokeensie. If names of this sort have any advan- 

 tage, it is in preserving the history of a species by designating 

 its original habitat or place of growth. Thus Erigeron Carta- 

 dense has overrun the continent of Europe, and the Peach Tree, 

 jimijgdalus Persica is cultivated in most parts of the world. The 

 supposed origin of, both these, being preserved in their specific 

 meaning, will never be subject to mistake. Where we have ev- 

 idence that a plant or tree inhabited a country at a very remote 

 period, its local name becomes additionally interesting. Thus 

 the Citron or Lemon Tree, Citrus Meciica, according to the 

 Greek, botanical writers, is a native of Medea ; and from that 

 country it was brought into Italy after the time of Pliny. It is 

 the tree intended by Virgil in the lines 



" Medea fert tristes succos tardumque saporem 

 Felicis mali," Sec. 



The Weeping Willow, as it appears from the manuscripts of 

 P. CoUinson, Esq. was first introduced into England from the 

 banks of the Euphrates, some time before the year 1748 The. 

 elegant name Salix Babylonica instantly recals to the mind one of 

 the most beautiful and pathetic pieces of ancient poetry ; " By 

 the rivers of Babylon we sat down, yea we wept," Sec] 



