384 SIGNS. [BOOK in. 



Class III. OF TERMS OF QUALIFICATION. 



Terms of qualification are generally syllables prefixed to words of known 

 signification, the value of which is altered by such addition. These syllables are 

 often Latin prepositions. 



1. Ob, prefixed to a word, indicates inversion : thus, o&ovate means inversely 

 ovate ; o&cordate, inversely cordate ; o&conical, inversely conical ; and so 

 on. Hence it is evident that this prefix cannot be properly applied to any 

 terms except such as indicate that one end of a body is wider than the 

 other ; for, if both ends are alike, there can be no apparent inversion : 

 therefore when the word o&lanceolate is used, as by some French writers, 

 it literally means nothing but lanceolate ; for that figure, being strictly 

 regular, cannot be altered in figure by inversion. 



2. Sub, prefixed to words, implies a slight modification, and may be Englished 



by somewhat : as, subov&te means somewhat ovate ; m&viridis, somewhat 

 green ; su&rotundus, somewhat round ; sw&purpureus, somewhat purple ; 

 and so on. The same effect is also given to a term by changing the termi- 

 nation into ascens, or escens : thus, viridescens signifies greenish ; rubescms, 

 reddish ; and so on. 



SIGNS. 



In Botany a variety of marks, or signs, are employed to express particular 

 qualities or properties of plants. The principal writers who have invented these 

 signs are, Linnaeus, Willdenow, De Candolle, Trattinnick, and London. 



* Linn., Willd., De Cand., Tratt., indicates that a good description will be 



found at the reference to which it is affixed, 

 t Linn., Wild., De Cand., Tratt., indicates that some doubt or obscurity 



relates to the subject to which it is affixed. 

 / De Cand., shows that an authentic specimen has been examined from the 



author to whose name or work it is annexed. 



?'The note of interrogation varies in its effect, according to the place in 

 which it is inserted. When found after a specific name, as Papaver 

 cambricum ? it signifies that it is uncertain whether the plant so marked 

 is that species, or some other of the genus ; if after the generic name, 

 as Papaver ? cambricum, it shows an uncertainty whether the plant so 

 marked belongs to the genus Papaver ; when found affixed to the name 

 of an author, as Papaver cambricum Linn., Smith, Lam. ?, it signifies 

 that, while there is no doubt of the plant being the same as one described 

 under that name by Linneeus and Smith, it is doubtful whether it is not 

 different from that of Lamarck. It may be remarked, that when the 

 interrogation has a general, and not a particular, application, it should 

 be placed at the commencement of the paragraph ; as ? Papaver 

 cambricum Smith, &c., not Papaver cambricum Smith ?, &c., as is the 

 usual practice. 



Linn. Willd. A tree or shrub. 

 Loudon. A deciduous tree. 

 Loudon. An evergreen tree. 

 Tratt. A true tree ; as the Oak. 



Q De Cand. An under shrub j as 



Laurustinus. 

 j& Loudon. A deciduous under- 



shrub. 



