METHOD OF ANALYSIS. 23 



LECTUEE y. 



METHOD OF ANALYZING PLANTS BY A SERIES OF COMPARISONS GEN- 

 ERAL re:marks upon plants, etc. 



22. The di|gection of a plant is, properly, analysis; the meaning of the term 

 being a separation : but when we speak of analyzing plants, we mean that by ex- 

 amining each part of the flower, we learn the Class, Order, Genus, and Species of 

 the plant. A person engaged hi ascertaining the name of a plant, may be said to 

 be upon a Botanical Journey ; and the plant being his Directory, if he can read 

 the botanical characters impressed on it by the hand of Nature, he will, by follow- 

 ing system, soon arrive at his journey's end.* 



Let us suppose, then, we have before us a plant in blossom, of whose name and 

 properties we are ignorant. — The name must be first ascertained. Following the 

 Linnroan System : in the first place we have two comparisons to make — Whether 

 the Stamens and Pistils are visible or invisible. If the Stamens and Pistils are 

 not visible, we have already arrived at the class, which is Cryptogamia. If, how- 

 ever, the Stamens and Pistils are visible, we have two comparisons to make — 

 Whether the flowers have stamens and pistils on the same or different corollas. 

 If the Stamens and Pistils are on different flowers, we then shall find the pkmt 

 either in the class Dicecia or Monoecia, according as the Stamens and Pistils are on 

 different flowers, proceeding from the same root, or from different roots. 



But if the plant has the Stamens and Pistils both inclosed in the same corolla, 

 we must next examine — Whether the Anthers are separate, or xmited. If we find 

 iive anthers united around the pistil, we have fomid the class of the plant ; it is 

 Syngexesia. 



If the Anthers are separate, we must proceed to a fourth stage, and see — 

 Whetlier the .filaments are separate, or united -^iih. each other, or to the pistil. If 

 the latter circumstance is ascertained, we need search no further ; the plant is in 

 the class Gynaxdria. 



If the flower has not the filaments united to the pistil, we must as(fertain if the 

 filaments are united with each other ; if they are so, and in two parcels or sets, the 

 flower is in the class Diadelpiiia. 



If in one parcel or set, it is in the class Monadelphia. 

 ^ But \i the filaments are separate, we must next examine — Wliether these are oi 

 similar, or of different lengtlis. (Of different lengths, those only which have four 

 or six stamens are to be regarded.) If we find the flower has six stamens, four 

 long, and tioo short, we need go no further, this is the class Tetradynamia. If the 

 flower lias four stamens, two long, and two short, it is in tlie class Didyxamia. 



If the flower comes under none of the foregoing heads, we must then count the 

 number of stamens ; if these amount to more than ten, we must then consider tlieir 

 insertion, as, whether inserted on the calyx or corolla, or, on the receptacle. If we 

 find tlie stamens inserted on the receptacle, the flower is in the class Polyaxdria ; 

 but if on the calyx or corolla, it is in Icosandria. 



If our flower has less than twenty stamens, with none of the peculiarities above 

 mentioned, of connection, position, or length, we have only to count the nmnber of 

 stamens, in order to be certain of the class ; if there are ten stamens, it is in De- 

 CAXDRiA ; and so on, through the nine remaining classes. This is the true analytical 

 process ; but when we put plants together to form a species, and species tog-ether 



* Tliornton. ' 



22. Meaning of the word analysis— How used in Botany — What two comparisons to be first made in 

 analyzing a plant— When the stamens and pistils are inclosed in the same corolla ?— When the anthers 

 nre separate?— If the filaments are separate ?— If the flower has not stamens of unequal length 1— 

 When IS tlie flower in oae of the ftret ten d asses ?— Difference between analvsis and svatlxesia. 



