154 PHYTOGRAPHY. 



the vitellus, and other parts of tlie seed. Every person, in- 

 deed, cannot institute such an examination, because it pre- 

 supposes not only the presence of the ripe fruit, but peculiar 

 practice and dexterity. But these tilings must be noticed in 

 the generic character, unless the genus is not distinguished 

 from its related genera by its structure in these parts. 



233. 



In the lower plants, where few or no organs of fructifica- 

 tion are found, we the more readily betake ourselves to other 

 parts, and borrow the character from them ; because in many 

 families the whole plant contains within itself the germs of 

 propagation. Neither in the Lichens, therefore, nor in the 

 Alga^, and least of all in the Fungi, is it objectionable that 

 we admit the structure of the whole plant into the character. 

 We are even permitted, in these cases, to admit such diffe- 

 rences into the generic character, as can only be discovered 

 by the most powerful magnifiers. 



234. 



The shorter a generic character is, it is so much the bet- 

 ter ; because it is intended to impress itself upon the memo- 

 ry. On this account the diagnostic characters are chiefly to 

 be recommended to beginners, although in them there is a re- 

 ference to related genera. It must be understood, ho'>s^ever, 

 that natural characters are excepted from this rule. 



The generic character is put in the nominative, and in it 

 we follow the order in which the parts are successively un- 

 folded. 



B. On Specific Characters. 



235. 



The Specific Character ought to be the expression of all 

 the invariable marks by which one species is distinguished 

 from all others, (142.) It is called also the Phrase. 



