06 BOTANV FOR BtEINNERS. | Cil. XV 



445. Specific names are generally adjectives ; generic names 

 are nouns. The specific name sometimes indicates the num- 

 ber of leaves, as ORCHIS bifolia, (bifolia, signifies two leaves,) 

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

 Violet,) or the form of the root; as SOLANUM tuberosum : (po- 

 tato with a tuberous root.) Specific names are also derived from 

 the names of persons; thus a species of the genus Bid ens is 

 named Beckii, in honour of Dr. Beck, a botanist of tlje state ol 

 New York. 



The name RENSSELA:RIA has lately been given to a newly 

 discovered genus ; this is called after Mr. Van Rensselaeer a 

 distinguished patron of American science. 



Natural Method. 



446. The natural method consists in bringing together sucn 

 plants as seem by nature to constitute one family, resembling 

 each other in general appearances and medicinal qualities ; as 

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

 families show a similarity in form and quality, and are evident- 

 ly distinct from all others. If the whole vegetable kingdom 

 could thus be distributed into natural tribes, we should need no 

 other system than that of nature. But as we proceed on this 

 plan we soon find difficulties ; for, after selecting a few fami 

 lies which nature seems to have formed with striking marks 01 

 resemblance, we find others, less distinctly marked, and AVC at 

 length see a vast number of plants which cannot be referred to 

 any natural families. 



447. It is by their natural characters, that persons who have 

 never heard of such a science as zoology, or the classification 

 of animals, are enabled to distinguish ferocious beasts from do- 

 mestic and gentle animals; they see.a^sheep or n cow without 

 any terror, although that individual one they may never have 

 seen before ; for nature teaches them to consider, that, as re- 

 sembling other sneep and cows, which they know to be inof- 

 fensive. 



448. This natural character teaches savages to distinguish 

 among the many plants of the forest, those which may admin 

 ister to their wants, and those which would be injurious. 



445. What is said of specific names? 



446. bive some account of what is called in Botany the Natural 

 Method. 



447. Hov do persons ignorant of the science which classes aiumais, 

 extinguish 1. rocious beasts from domestic animals? 



44S. Of what use is the natural character of plants to Savasts ? 



