118 NOMENCLATURE. ; 
CHAPTER XVII. 
$1. NOMENCLATURE. 
360. THE names of the Orders are Latin adjectives, (feminine, plural, to agree 
with plante, plants, understood,) usually derived from the name of the most 
prominent, or leading genus, in each, by changing or prolonging the termination 
into acee, as Rosacea, the rose tribe, Papaveracee, the poppy tribe, bw ' Rosa and 
Papaver. 
a. Earlier names, however, derived from.some leading character in the Order, 
and with various terminations, are still retained. Thus, Composite, with com- 
pound flowers; Labiate, with labiate flowers. 
861. Generic 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 country 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. 
362. 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 glauca, glaucous- 
stemmed Gerardia; G. purpurea, purple-flowered Gerardia; G. tenuifolia, 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. 
delphinifolia, larkspur-leaved Gerardia. 
363. Species, like genera, are also sometimes named in commemoration of dis- 
tinguished persons. The rules given by Lindley, for the construction of such 
names, are, Ist, If the person is the discoverer, the specific name is a substantive 
in the genitive case, singular number; as, Lobelia Kalmii, Kalm’s Lobelia; Pinus 
Fraseri, Fraser’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, num; as Erica 
Linneana, Linneus’s heath; Rosa Lawrenciana, Miss Lawrence’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. 
364. The application of the rules of Systematic Botany to the 
natural plant, in order to ascertain its affinities, place, name, &c. 
is called botanical analysis. 
365. 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- 
Cia 
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