98 CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 



the Rose-scented, the Fish-scented, the Musk-scented, and 

 many others. With reference to localities, whence the spe- 

 cies came, there is the Siberian, the Canary, the Russian, 6fc. 

 And in honor of different persons, there are Wildenoufs, Bar- 

 ringtorfs, Watson's Geranium, &c. 



Now it is obvious that the most convenient, as well as most 

 scientific name of a species is that which is founded on some 

 invariable peculiarity belonging to the plant itself, since it 

 can then form a part of the description, and thus become one 

 of the means of distinction. For instance, the Oak-leaved, 

 or the Crowfoot-leaved Geranium may readily be distinguish- 

 ed by these parts, without further examination ; and he who 

 has ever touched a Fish-scented, or an Apple-scented Gera- 

 nium, will never be at a loss to distinguish these species, 

 though growing with hundreds of others. But when species 

 are named after their localities, or in honor of persons, their 

 names can never be employed as a means of distinction. 

 Thus, Siberian, or Watsons Geranium, expresses nothing 

 which affords us the least information concerning the appear- 

 ance or qualities of the plant. 



These remarks extend equally to the genera, the names of 

 which will often strike the pupil as extremely inappropriate 

 and improper. Thus, Linnaea, which we have stated was 

 named after Linnaeus; the father of scientific Botany, is a 

 " depressed, abject, Lapland plant, long overlooked," and if 

 known, affords nothing worthy of notice except its name. 

 What a pity that this name had not been given to some noble 

 genus, generally known, like the Calla, or to one which pre- 

 sents striking singularities of appearance, or habit, like the 

 Aloe or Cactus. On the contrary, Ambrosia, a classical 

 name, which signifies in heathen mythology, the " food of 

 the divinities," is applied to a common weed, as mean and 

 contemptible in its appearance, as it is worthless in its quali- 

 ties, so that one species has obtained the vulgar name of 

 hog-weed. Other misapplications of the same kind frequently 

 occur in the nomenclature of Botany. 



Species never change. Many species of plants produce 

 varieties; that is, some plants, from the same seed or root, 

 will differ from each other in consequence of accidental 



What is the most convenient and scientific name of a species ? Why 

 would some peculiarity of the plant form the best specific name? What 

 is said concerning the misapplication of botanical names ? 



