METHOD OF JUSSIEU. 171 



new species discovered have been arranged according to its 

 principles of classification, and most catalogues of plants, and 

 floras,* have taken this method for their guide. 



The characters used in this system are very apparent ; and 

 as it refers to the number of parts, rather than to their forms 

 or insertion, it offers to the mind something positive, which is 

 not found either in the method of Tournefort, or that of Jussieu. 

 Between a corolla, bell form or funnel form, there are many 

 intermediate forms, which may be as much like one, as the 

 other. The insertions over the germ, or under the germ, are 

 distinct,- but between them, is the insertion around the germ, 

 which sometimes blends with one, sometimes with the other. 

 But between one or two stamens, or one or two pistils, there is 

 no intermediate step, or gradual blending of distinctions, which 

 leaves you in doubt whether the case before you belongs to the 

 one, or the other. 



The natural orders of Linnseus are 58 ; they are not found- 

 ed upon any one principle, but upon general marks of resem- 

 blance. This great man did not view his Natural Orders as 

 approaching to a perfect classification ; he modestly termed 

 them "Fragments of a natural method." As every thing left 

 by him on the subject of botany seems deserving of considera- 

 tion, his Natural Orders are preserved as a relic, which it 

 would be almost sacrilege to destroy : there is in them more of 

 simplicity than in those of Jussieu, and they may be better un- 

 derstood by the young student. 



Linnaeus, in his " Philosophy of Botany," has established 

 three kinds of characters to be used in descriptions of plants. 



1st. Factitious (or made). That which is, by agreement, 

 taken as a mark of distinction : thus the number of stamens 

 and pistils is fixed upon for distinguishing some of the classes 

 and orders. Although nature has formed these organs, the 

 arrangement of plants by their means, is an invention of man, 

 or artificial. 



2d. Essential Character. That which forms a particular 

 character of one genus, and distinguishes it from all other 

 genera. 



3d. Natural Character. This is difficult to define, though 

 it is that which is understood by all ; it is the general aspect 

 and appearance of the plant which enables all persons to 



* The term flora is often used for the title of a book describing plants. The 

 ancient heathens imagined a goddess called Flora, who, they thought, presided 

 over flowers. 



System of Linneeus offers something positive Natural orders of Linnaeus 

 Three kinds of characters to be used in descriptions of plants Factitious 

 character Essential character Natural. 



