180 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



When describing a species, it is usual to subjoin its habitation 

 (Habitat) that is, the nature of the places in which it is usually 

 found, such as " Woods," Dry hilly places," " Elvers," &c. In 

 general systematic works the native country or province is stated ; 

 in works relating to limited districts, special localities are given for 

 rare plants. 



The following marks and abbreviations are commonly in use to 

 indicate certain other points : 



or A =an annual plant. 



or 13 = a biennial. 

 or P =a perennial. 



Sh=a shrub. 



T =a tree. 



c?, a male flower. 



5 , a female flower. 



^ , an hermaphrodite flower. 



$ 5 ) a monoecious plant. 



c? - $ ? a dioecious plant. 



The time of flowering is indicated by numbers, referring to the 

 months, as 6-8 or vi-viii= June to August, &c. (See also p. 103.) 



Many other signs are met with in Systematic works, but they are very 

 often used in different senses by different authors, so that no general ex- 

 planation of them can be given moreover the sense in which they are used 

 is generally explained by the author. 



CHAPTER II. 

 SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION. 



Sect. 1. ARTIFICIAL CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 



An arrangement of all known species of plants in a series of 

 classes, constituted upon certain fixed principles, forms what is 

 termed a System of Vegetables. 



The classification of plants by generalization, the Synthetic or 

 Natural Method, is adopted in all cases in forming the groups of 

 the lowest rank, namely Genera. These are established by the 

 combination of a number of allied species under one name, on 

 account of their affinities ; and, as we have already mentioned, 

 the same genera are used in all Classifications. 



From this point Systems diverge. The Natural Method is pur- 

 sued further on the same principles of generalization, where the 

 object is to systematize acquired knowledge, mark the agree- 

 ments and determine if possible the lineage of plants. Where, on 



