124 CHARACTERS USED IN CLASSIFICATION. 



or ai'tificial. Essential Character j that which forms a peculiar 

 character of one genus, and distinguishes it from all other genera. 

 Natural CharaGter ^ this is difficult to define, though under- 

 stood by all : it is the general aspect and appearance of the 

 plant, which enables all persons to make some kind of arrange- 

 ment of plants in their own minds, although they would find it 

 difficult to explain their reasons for this classification to others. 



It will appear from this definition of natural characters, that in some respects 

 the so-called Natural method is in reality artificial, since it depends upon charac- 

 ters which can only be learned and understood by the aid of science ; and we must 

 admit that the genera which compose some of its orders are often as unlike in 

 habit and in properties as are those which compose the classes of Linnseus. 



It is by their natural characters that persons who have no knowledge of the 

 science of zoology or the classification of animals are enabled to distinguish fero- 

 cious beasts from domestic and gentle animals : they see a sheep or cow without 

 any terror, although that individual one they may never have seen before ; for 

 nature teaches them to consider that as resembling other sheep and cows, which 

 are inoff"ensive. This natural character teaches savages to distinguish among the 

 many plants of the forest those which might subserve their wants, and those which 

 would be injurious. Even the lower grades of animals have this faculty of select- 

 ing, by natural characters, nutritious substances and avoiding noxious ones ; thus 

 we see the apparently unconscious brutes luxuriating in the rich pastures prepared 

 for them by a benevolent Creator, cautiously passing by the poisonous weed, as if 

 directed by an instinct given them by this Almighty Benefactor. 



157. A 7iatural family^ or order, is composed of several genera 

 of plants which have some common marks of resemblance ; and 

 its name is usually founded upon this general character ; as 

 Laliate and Crucifoivn^ which are derived from the form of the 

 corollas ; JJtnbellate and Coryinhiferous^ from the inflorescence ; 

 Leguminous^ from the nature of the fruit. In many cases, the 

 family takes its name from a conspicuous genus belonging to 

 it ; as the Eosacem^ or rose-like plants ; Pajpaveraceoe^ or poppy 

 tribe, from Papaver^ the poppy. Natural orders resemble arti- 

 ficial orders in being composed of genera^ but the principles on 

 which these are brought together differ widely in the two 

 cases. Many families of plants possess a marked resemblance 

 in form and qualities, and appear evidently as distinct tribes. 

 If the w^hole of the vegetable kingdom could thus be distrib- 

 uted into natural groups, the study of Botany would be much 

 simplified ; but it has already been remarked, that there are 

 many plants which cannot without a forced arrangement be 

 thus grouped. 



• The artificial system may be compared to a dictionary ; — though by its use we 

 do not at first find the name for which we seek, and then learn its definition, as 

 we do in dictionaries of terms ; but we first learn some of the characters of a plant, 

 and with these as our guide, we proceed to find the name. Having ascertained 

 the botanical name, we can easily find to what natural group or order a plant be- 



Natural method not simple— Savages distinguish plants by natural characters.— 157. Of what is a 

 natural family composed ? — How named 1 — In what respect do natural families resemble artificial 

 cvrders 1 — How do they differ? — Artificial system compared to a dictionary. 



