120 CLASSIFICATION. 



author believed that no plant was destitute of stamens and pis- 

 tils ; but he acknowledged that there were species in which these 

 organs were so small, so obscure, or of such a singular forma- 

 tion as to render it difficult and sometimes impossible to be 

 certain of their existence, except by the jprincijyle of analogy. 

 Therefore he made the two grand divisions of plants, PTienoga- 

 mous., such as have stamens and pistils visible^ and Cryptogor 

 TYhous^ stamens and pistils invisible j some later Botanists con- 

 sidering that there are plants with no organs in the least re- 

 sembling stamens and pistils have termed such Againous, 



149. Species^ gemis^ order., and class., are abstract terms de- 

 noting certain distinctions which would equally have existed, 

 although we had never observed them or given them names. An 

 Individual plant is an organized heing^ complete in its parts.^ 

 distinct and separate from all other beings. An oak, a rose, and 

 a moss, are each of them individuals of the vegetable kingdom. 

 A Species includes such individuals as agree in certain circwn- 

 stances of the roots., stems., leaves., a/nd inflorescence. We have 

 no reason to suppose that any new species either of animals or 

 vegetables have been produced since the creation. We some- 

 times see varieties in plants made by cultivation ; the stamens 

 and pistils, from excess of nourishment, and contrary to the 

 normal process, expanding into petals. Varieties are also occa- 

 sioned by strewing the pollen from one species upon the stigma 

 of another ; but such plants do not produce perfect seeds, and 

 therefore cannot reproduce themselves. Color, taste, and size, 

 are not considered as marks of specific diiference. 



150. A Genus comprehends one or more species grouped to- 

 gether on account of some resemblance in situation, proportion, 

 and connection of the organs which constitute the flower. Any 

 one species of a genus may be regarded as a type or example of 

 the others ; we may easily refer species which we have not 

 studied to their proper genus by a knowledge of any one spe- 

 cies of that genus. Some genera appear to be distinctly marked 

 by nature ; tlie various species of the rose form a beautiful genus. 



a. The generic names of plants are derived from various circumstances ; in some 

 cases from a peculiarity m the form or color of the corolla, or some property of the 



Elant ; and some are named from distinguished persons. Thus, Iris is named from 

 ris the rainbow, on account of its various shades of color. Digitalis is named 

 from digitus, a finger, on account of the shape of its corolla, like the finger 

 of a glove. Convallaria (lily of the valley) is named from a Latin word, con- 

 vallis, signifying, in the valley. The name of the great Linnseus is commemorated 

 in a beautiful little flower, called the Linncea borealis.* Specific names are adjec- 



* Borealis, sifrnifying northern, has reference to the situation of the country which gave birth to 

 Linnaeus. The Linniea borealis is not uncommon in New England, and has been found on Green 

 Island, in the Hudson, near Troy. 



149. The terms species, genns, &c. — An individual— A species. — 150. What is a genus 1 — A knowl- 

 edge of one species enables us to recognize all other species of the same genus — a. Derivations of ge- 

 neric names — Specific names. 



