INTRODUCTORY. 219 



the genus, and the second that of the species. Thus, for instance, 

 the greater Plantain, Plantago major, and the Ribwort, Plantago 

 lanceolata, are two species of the genus Plantago. Since in early 

 times the same plants were often described under different names, 

 and as different plants were often designated by the same name, it 

 is necessary in systematic works, in order to avoid confusion, to 

 append to the name of the plant the name of the botanist who is 

 the authority for it. Thus Plantago lanceolata L., indicates that 

 Linnaeus gave the plant this name, and at the same time that the 

 plant meant is the one which Linnaeus described and to which he 

 gave the name. Again, the Spruce Fir is called Picea excelsa 

 Link, while the same plant was placed by Linnaeus in the genus 

 Pinus under the name Pinus Abies L., and by De Candolle in the 

 genus Abies (Don) as Abies excelsa DC.; hence these names are 

 synonymous : but Pinus Abies Duroi, or Abies excelsa Link, is an- 

 other plant altogether, the Silver Fir (Abies peclinata DC). 



The method by which each plant has its place assigned to it in 

 the natural system is exhibited in the two following examples 

 I. Plantago major; II. Agaricus muscarius : 



I. Group : Phanerogamia. 



Division : Angiospermas. 

 Class: Dicotyledones. 

 Sub-class : Gamopetalae. 

 Series : Hypogynae. 

 Cohort : Lamiales. 



Order: Plantaginacese. 

 Genus : Plantago. 

 Species : major. 



II. Group : Thallophyta. 



Class : Fungi. 



Sub-class : Basidiomycetes. 

 Series : Autobasidiomycetes. 

 Order : Hymenomycetes. 

 Family : Agaricinae. 

 Genus : Agaricus. 



Sub-genus: Amanita. 

 Species : muscarius. 



