368 DUKATION. [BOOK in. 



4. An inch (pollex, undo, ; adj. pollicaris, uncialis) ; the length of the first joint 

 of the thumb. 



5. A small span (spithama, adj. spiiliamceus) ; seven inches, or the space between 



the thumb and the fore-finger separated as widely as possible. 



6. A palm (palmiis, adj. palmaris) ; three inches, or the breadth of the four 



fingers of the hand. 



7. A span (dodrans, adj. dodrantalis) ; nine inches, or the space between the 

 the thumb and the little finger separated as widely as possible. 



8. A foot (pes t adj.pedalis) ; twelve inches, or the length of a tall man's foot. 



9. A cubit (cubitusj adj. cubitalis) ; seventeen inches, or the distance between 



the elbow and the tip of the fingers. 



10. An ell {ulna, brachium; adj. ulnaris, brackialis) ; twenty -four inches, or the 



length of the arm. 



11. A toise (orgya, adj. orgyalis); six feet, or the ordinary height of man. 



12. Sesqui. This term, prefixed to the Latin name of a measure, shows that 

 such measure exceeds its due length by one half : thus, sesqidpedalis means 

 a foot and a half. 



13. f A millimetre= 1 ^o of a French line. 



14. f A centimetre=4 French lines and 



15. f A deeimetre=3 French inches, eight 



16. f A metre=3 feet, 11 lines,^ 9 ^ French ; or, 39'371 inches English. 



Obs. The last four terms are French measures, which are rarely used, and 

 for which no equivalent Latin terms are employed. 



6. Of Duration. 



The terms in ordinary use to express the absolute period of duration of a 

 plant are sufficiently precise for common purposes, but are too inaccurate to be 

 longer admitted within the pale of science. I have, therefore, adopted the 

 phraseology of De Candolle, as far as relates to words expressive of the actual 

 term of vegetable existence. 



1. Monocarpous; bearing fruit but once, and dying after fructification ; as 



Wheat. Some live but one year, and are called annuals : the term of the 

 existence of others is prolonged to two years ; these are biennials : others 

 live for many years before they flower, but die immediately afterwards ; as 

 the Agave americana. The latter have no English name. Annuals are 

 indicated by the signs or ; biennials by $ or () ; and the others 

 by. 



2. Polycarpous (better sycJtnocarpous) ; having the power of bearing fruit 

 many times without perishing. Of this there are two forms : 



A. Caulocarpous, or those whose stem endures many years, constantly 

 bearing flowers and fruits ; as trees and shrubs. The sign of these is T? . 



B. Rhizocarpous, or those whose root endures many years, but whose stems 

 perish annually ; as herbaceous plants. The sign of these is T . 



3. Hysteranthous ; when leaves appear after flowers ; as the Almond, Tussilago 



fragrans, &c. 



4. f Synanthous ; when flowers and leaves appear at the same time. 



5. f Proteranthous ; when the leaves appear before the flowers. 



6. Double-bearing (biferus) ; when any thing is produced twice in one season. 



