114 NOMENCLATURE. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



§1. NOMENCLATURE. 



340. The names of the Ordas are Latin adjectives, (feminine, pUiral, to agree 

 with j)lant(E, plants, understood,) usually derived from the name of the most 

 prominent, or leading genus, in each, by changing or prolonging the tennination 

 into acecB, as Rosacecz, the rose tribe, Papaveraccce, the poppy tribe, from Kosa and 

 Papaver. 



a. Earlier names, however, derived from some leading character in the Order, 

 and with various terminations, are still retained. Thus, Compositce, with com- 

 pound flowers ; Labiates, with labiate flowers. 



341. Gaicnc names are Latin substantives, arbitrarily formed, often from some 

 medicinal virtue, either supposed or real, or from some obvious character of the 

 genus ; sometimes from the native counti7 of the plants, Or from the name of 

 some distinguished botanist, or patron of botany, to whom the genus is thus said 

 to be dedicated. Also the ancient classic names, either Latin or Greek, are often 

 retained. Examples of all these modes of construction will be hereafter seen. 



342. Specific names are Latin adjectives, singular number, and agreeing in gen- 

 der with the name of the genus to which they belong. They are mostly founded 

 upon some distinctive character of the species; as Gerardia glaiica, glaucous- 

 stemmed Gerardia; G. jmrpitrca, purple-flowered Gerardia; G. tenuifoUa, slender- 

 leaved Gerardia. Frequently the species is named after some other genus, which, 

 in some respect, it resembles ; as Gerardia quercifolia, oak-leaved Gerardia. G. 

 ihlphini/olia, larkspur-leaved Gerardia. 



313. Species, like genera, arc also sometimes named in commemoration of dis- 

 tinguished persons. The rules given by Lindlcy, for the construction of such 

 names, are, 1st, If the person is the discoverer, the specific name is a substantive 

 in the genitive case, singular number; as. Lobelia Kalmii, Kalm's Lobelia; Pin-^s 

 Frastri, Eraser's pine. 2d, If the name is merely conferred in honor of the per- 

 son to whom it is dedicated, it is an adjective ending in nus, na, mm; as Erica 

 Linmana, Linnajus's heath ; Rosa Lawrenciam, Miss La^vTcncc's rose. In these 

 cases, and in all others where the specific name is derived from proper names, or 

 where it is substantive, as it often is, it should begin with a capital letter. 



§2. BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. 



344. The application of the niles of Systematic Botany to the 

 natural plant, in order to ascertain its affinities, place, name, &c. 

 iS called botaiiical anahjds. 



345. In order to be in a proper state for this kind of examina- 

 tion plants should be in full blossom, and fresh, that is, not with- 



