THE NATURAL SYSTEM. 155 



of fructification, leaving all other natural affinities out of view. 

 It is simply an arrangement devised by Linnaeus for convenience 

 in the analysis of plants as words in a dictionary, for con- 

 venience of reference, are arranged alphabetically, without re- 

 gard to their nature. It is now generally superseded by 



504. The Natural System. This system of classification, 

 on the contrary, takes for its basis all those natural affinities and 

 resemblances of plants whereby Nature herself has distinguished 

 them into groups and families. It seizes upon every character 

 wherein plants agree or disagree, and forms her associations only 

 upon the principle of natural affinity. Hence, each member of 

 any natural group resembles the other members ; and a fair de- 

 scription of one will serve, to a certain extent, for all the rest. 



505. The species and genera are formed on this principle of 

 classification, as above stated, and are truly natural associations. 

 Individuals altogether similar cast, as it were, in the same 

 mould constitute a species. Species agreeing in nearly all re- 

 pects, and differing but in few, constitute a genus. Thence the 

 genera, associated by their remaining affinities into groups of 

 few or many, by this same method are organized into Natural 

 Orders and other departments of the System. 



Review. 492. Object and use of Systematic Botany. 493. A still higher import. 494. 

 Show the subject to be vast. 495. A wrong way to study it. 49(i. How the species are 

 limited. A short road to knowledge. 497. Give examples. Define a Species in the 

 words of 57. Define a Genus ( 29). 498. How exemplify a genus? 499. Give the third 

 step in classification. 500. How is the Order of Crucifers made up? The Conifers? 

 502. Name four sorts of intermediate groups. What is said of the Variety in 28 ? 503. 

 Two methods of classifying the genera. Define the Artificial. Its author. 504. Define 

 the Natural System. Its purpose. 505. Synopsis of the groups. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE NATURAL SYSTEM. 



506. There is indeed but one truly Natural System. Yet so c 

 long as any portion of that System remains imperfectly under- 

 stood, so far authors may be expected to hold different views, 

 and to attempt by different methods to express that true System. 

 Hut the discrepancies observed in the several " Natural Systems" 

 proposed by diuercut writers, are slight compared with the nurn- 



