BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. 195 



503. Synonyms. Very frequently, the same species has been described 

 by different (or even by the same) authors, under different names. In such 

 cases it becomes a question, often of difficult solution, which name is to be 

 adopted. Obviously, the prior name, that is, the original one, if it can be 

 ascertained, is entitled to the most respect; and it is a rule with botanists 

 to adopt this name, unless it has been previously occupied, or be strongly 

 objectionable on some other account. All other names are synonyms. 



504. Authorities. In the flora which accompanies this work, immediately 

 after the Genus we insert the abbreviated name of the author by whom it 

 was originally published, with a comma between, thus: Trifolium, Tourn. 

 After a species the authority is inserted without a comma, as T. repens L., 

 that is to say, Trifolium repens (of) Linnaeus. In changing the generic rela- 

 tions of a species (as subsequent writers often deem necessary), it is a custom 

 for the author of the change to annex his own name, or a blank, instead of 

 the original authority. The custom is often unjust, and always liable to 

 abuse. It offers a bribe for innovations in the Q-enera, and recent works 

 abound in changes which otherwise could scarcely be accounted for. When 

 such changes become necessary, the just and proper rule (actually adopted in 

 Conchology) is the following. Let the original specific name and authority both 

 be retained, the latter in parenthesis, thus, Lychnis G-ithago (Linn.) origi- 

 nally Agrostemma G-ithago Linn. This method is often but not always used 

 in the present work. 



Authorities for our species of exotic cultivated plants, for want of space, 

 have all been here omitted. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. 



505. Botanical Analysis is the application of the 

 rules and principles of botany to the study of the 

 natural plant, in order to determine its place in the 

 system, its names, history, uses all that is on record 

 concerning it. In the flowering months, the learner 

 will constantly meet with new forms of bloom ; and 

 if he is duly interested in the science, he will not 

 fail to seize and analyze each new flower while the 

 short hour of its beauty may last. Thus in a few 

 seasons, or even in one, he may become well acquainted 

 with the flora of the vicinity where he dwells. 



506. Suppose, now, the pupil to be in possession 

 of an unknown plant in flower and fruit. The first 



