234 CLASSIFICATION. 



" Independently of all general method of classification, 

 whether natural or artificial, plants, as well as animals, 

 are distinguished into Genera, Species and Varieties. 



By Species are understood so many individuals, or, 

 among the generality of animals, so many pairs, a9 are 

 presumed to have been formed at the creation, and 

 have been perpetuated ever since ; for though some 

 animals appear to have been exterminated, we have no 

 reason t® suspect any new species has been produced ; 

 neither have we cause to suppose any species of plant 

 has been lost, nor any new one permanently established, 

 since their first formation notwithstanding the specula- 

 tions of some philosophers. We frequently indeed see 

 new Varieties, by which word is understood a varia- 

 tion in an established species ; but such are imperfect- 

 ly, or for a limited time, if at all, perpetuated in the 

 offspring. 



A Genus comprehends one or more species, so es- 

 sentially different in formation, nature, and often many 

 adventitious qualities, from other plants, as to constitute 

 a distinct family or kind, no less permanent, and found- 

 ed in the immutable laws of the creation, than the dif- 

 ferent species of such a genus. 



Thus the various species of Rose compose a beauti- 

 ful genus, known to every one who ever looked at a 

 plant, merely by a certain combination of ideas, but es- 

 sentially distinguished by clear and decisive characters. 

 The species of Ms form also a numerous genus, and the 

 Willows another ; while the interesting Linncea is too 

 singular and distinct to be associated with any known 

 plant besides and constitutes a genus by itself. 



The first great and successful attempt to define the 

 genera of plants was made by Tournefort, and in this 

 his transcendant merit will ever be conspicuous, though 



