SYSTEM. 249 



The above epitome will not only inform the pupil what are 

 the properties of the several genera contained under each or 

 der, alter he has ascertained their names by the Linnsean sys- 

 tem, but will also often assist him in finding the names of un- 

 known plants. Suppose he meets with the Orontium, for ex- 

 ample, a plant whose name he does not know. Now in this 

 plant the stamens are often indistinct, and difficult to be as- 

 certained. It is arranged in class Hexandria, but its appear- 

 ance instantly associates it with Calla, Arum, and Acorus. 

 Its leaf, with parallel veins, and sheathing footstalks, and its 

 stem, without distinction of wood, pith, and bark, shows that 

 it is an Endogenous plant, like Sweet Flag and its asso- 

 ciates : and its spaclix betrays a still nearer affinity to this tribe. 

 If, then, the pupil being already acquainted with Sweet Flag, 

 Arum, &c. refer his plant to this order, and there finds Oron- 

 tium, the name of a genus he does not know, he has only to 

 find the description of this plant among the artificial genera, 

 in order to ascertain the name of his species. This is in- 

 tended merely as an illustration of many instances in which 

 the pupil may obtain the knowledge he desires by the same 

 means 



