38 PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION. 



which cannot well be referred to any of his natural 

 orders. 



100. The same imperfection occurs in the Fragments 

 of a Natural Method, left by Linnaeus, and it is 

 remarkable that the comparative number of such 

 doubtful Genera is very similar in both these ar- 

 rangements. 



101. The foregoing observations concerning Classifi- 

 cation, are also applicable to the Generic distinctions 

 of plants; but in their latter application they are de- 

 duced from all, or any, of the seven parts of Fructi- 

 fication (52), according as each may afford the 

 most clear and essential difference. 



102. Generic Characters are of two kinds, the natural 

 and the essential. 



103. Natural Generic Characters are a concise, tech- 

 nical, but full description of the seven parts of Fruc- 

 tification of each Genus, in their natural order, as 

 in sect. 52, so as to apply, as nearly as possible, to 

 every known Species. Such are contained in the 

 Genera Plantarum of Linnasus. 



104. Essential Generic Characters consist of the strik- 

 ing and essential differences, between one Genus 

 and another, in any one or more of those seven 

 parts, with respect to insertion, structure, division, 

 or any other permanent mark ; such parts being 

 disposed in each, according to their relative im- 

 portance, for such discrimination, in the Natural 

 Order to which the Genus in question belongs. 



