168 CLASSIFICATION. 



one species of a genus may be regarded as a type or example 

 of the others ; we may easily refer species which we have not 

 studied to their proper genus, by a knowledge of any one spe- 

 cies of that genus. Some genera appear to be distinctly 

 marked by nature ; the various species of the rose, form a 

 beautiful genus which is known to all, although every one 

 might not be able to describe it to others, in such a manner as 

 to be understood ; it is chiefly distinguished by its urn-shaped 

 and fringed calyx. 



The Generic names of plants 'are derived from various cir- 

 cumstances ; in some cases from a peculiarity of form or colour 

 of the corolla or some property of the plant, and some are 

 named from distinguished persons. 



Thus Iris, (flag,) is named from Iris the rain bow, on ac- 

 count of its various shades of colour. 



Digitalis, (fox-glove,^ named from digitus, a finger, on ac- 

 count of the shape of its corolla, like the finger of a glove. 

 Convallaria, (lily of the valley,) named from a Latin word 

 convallis, signifying valley. 



Teucrium (germander,) named in honour of Teucer, a Trojan 

 prince, who is said to have discovered this plant. The Eng- 

 lish name, germander, is supposed to have originated from the 

 word Scamander, the name of a river of ancient Troy. 



The name of the great Linnaeus is commemorated in a 

 beautiful and modest flower, called the Linnaa borealis.* 



Specific names are generally adjectives ; generic names are 

 nouns. The specific name sometimes indicates the number of 

 leaves, as ORCIIJS bifolia, (bifolia, signifies two leaves,) or the 

 colour of the corolla ; as VIOLA, tri-colour, (three coloured 

 violet,) or the form of the root ; SOLANUM tuberosum ; (with a 

 tuberous root ;) specific names are also derived from the names 

 of persons ; thus a species of Origanum is named tournefortiiy 

 after its discoverer Tournefort. 



Metliod of Jussieu. 



The natural method consists in bringing together such plants 

 as seem by nature to be constituted one family, resembling 

 each other in general appearances and medicinal qualities ; as 

 lilies, herbs, trees, mosses and ferns. Some of these natural 



Borealis signifying northern, has reference to the situation of the country 

 which gave birth to Linnaeus. The Linnsea borealis is not uncommon in New 

 England, and has been found on an Island, in the Hudson, near Troy. 



A knowledge of one species in a genus enables us to recognize all other 

 species of the same genus Derivations of generic names Generic names 

 Iris Digitalis Teucrium Lmnaa borealis Specific names Natural meth- 

 od. 



