8 NOMENCLATURE. 



an already well known form, to every insignificant aj^pendagc 

 or part of an organ. Much circumspection is necessary, not 

 to mistake the happy middle course. 



11. 



The properties of forms are expressed by adjectives or 

 participles. These have a different meaning according to 

 their different terminations. 



1. Adjectives in atiis designate the presence of a certain 

 organ : radkatus, that which has a root ; Jbliatus, which has 

 a leaf. But this rule must not be understood as universal ; 

 because lanceolaius, ovatus, and many others, signify only a 

 resemblance. 



2. Those which end in osus express an abundance of par- 

 ticular organs ; ncrvosus^Jbliosus, cicatricosus. 



3. Adjectives in hnis and aceus denote the nature of the 

 organ. Thus, Jhltaceus means having the nature of a leaf: 

 radicinus denotes that w^hich has the consistence of a root. 

 A corolla calyeina is one which partakes of the nature of a 

 calyx. But there are many exceptions also to this mode of 

 expression, however much a general agreement is to be 

 wished. 



4. When an organ is wanting, we put the Greek u priva- 

 tive before a Greek word, or the e before a Latin w^ord ; 

 (aphyllus, apetalifs, enervis, exstipulatus, eglandulosus). 

 Sdme hybrid expressions, however, have crept in, which we 

 must endure : for instance, aven'ms ; and also acauUs, where 

 the better term would be acavlus. In some instances, suh- 

 nidlus is placed immediately after mdlus : Margo mdlus, 

 subnullus. We often express the absence of certain organs 

 or foniis, although in an indefinite manner, by nudus or sim- 

 plex : thus, the Corolla is said to be nitdus; when it has no 

 calyx; the branches, nudi^ when they have no leaves: the 

 stalk, simj)lex, when it is destitute of branches. Finally, it 

 is usual, when an organ is wanting, to designate positively 

 the opposite property : thus, we say iiiermis, and muticus, in 

 opposition to spinosus, aculeatiiSy arisiattts, and cuspidahcs. 



