204 PROSERPINA. 



the three family ones are Latin, although the 

 central one is originally Greek also. 



I adopt this as far as possible for a law through 

 my whole plant nomenclature. 



13. Farther: the terminations of the Latin 

 family names will be, for the most part, of the 

 masculine, feminine, and neuter forms, us, a, um, 

 with these following attached conditions. 



(I.) Those terminating in 'us,' though often of 

 feminine words, as the central Arbor, will indicate 

 either real masculine strength (quercus, laurus), or 

 conditions of dominant majesty (cedrus), of stubborn- 

 ness and enduring force (Crataegus), or of peasant- 

 like commonalty and hardship (juncus) ; softened, 

 as it may sometimes happen, into gentleness and 

 beneficence (thymus). The occasional forms in 'er' 

 and ' il ' will have similar power (acer, basil). 



(11.) Names with the feminine termination 'a,' 

 if they are real names of girls, will always 

 mean flowers that are perfectly pretty and per- 

 fectly good, (Lucia, Viola, Margarita, Clarissa). 

 Names terminating in ' a ' which are not also 

 accepted names of girls, may sometimes be none 

 the less honourable, (Primula, Campanula,) but 

 for the most part will signify either plants that 

 are only good and worthy in a nursy sort of 

 way, (Salvia,) or that are good without being 



