118 NOMENCLATURE. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



1. NOMENCLATURE. 



360. THE names of the Orders are Latin adjectives, (feminine, plural, to agree 

 with planta, plants, understood,) usually derived from the name of the most 

 prominent, or leading genus, in each, by changing or prolonging the termination 

 into ace#, as Rosacea, the rose tribe, Papaveracece, the poppy tribe, from Rosa and 

 Papaver. 



a. Earlier names, however, derived from some leading character in the Order, 

 and with various terminations, are still retained. Thus, Composite, with com- 

 pound flowers 5 Labiatce, with labiate flowers. 



361. Generic names are Latin substantives, arbitrarily formed, often from some 

 medicinal virtue, either supposed or real, or from some obvious character of the 

 genus ; sometimes from the native country of the plants, or from the name of 

 some distinguished botanist, or patron of botany, to whom the genus is thus said 

 to be dedicated. Also the ancient classic names, either Latin or Greek, are often 

 retained. Examples of all these modes of construction will be hereafter seen. 



362. Specific names are Latin adjectives, singular number, and agreeing in gen- 

 der with the name of the genus to which they belong. They are mostly founded 

 upon some distinctive character of the species; as Gerardia glauca, glaucous- 

 stemmed Gerardia ; G. purpurea, purple-flowered Gerardia ; G. tenuifolia, slender- 

 leaved Gerardia. Frequently the species is named after some other genus, which, 

 in some respect, it resembles ; as Gerardia quercifolia, oak-leaved Gerardia. G. 

 delphinifolia, larkspur-leaved Gerardia. 



363. Species, like genera, are also sometimes named in commemoration of dis- 

 tinguished persons. The rules given by Lindlcy, for the construction of such 

 names, are, 1st, If the person is the discoverer, the specific name is a substantive 

 in the genitive case, singular number ; as, Lobelia Kalmii, Kami's Lobelia ; Pinus 

 Fraseri, Eraser's pine. 2d, If the name is merely conferred in honor of the per- 

 son to whom it is dedicated, it is an adjective ending in nus, na, num; as Erica 

 Linneana, Linnams's heath ; jRosa Lawrenciana, Miss LaAvrence's rose. In these 

 cases, and in all others where the specific name is derived from proper names, or 

 where it is substantive, as it often is, it should begin with a capital letter. 



2. BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. 



364. The application of the rules of Systematic Botany to the 

 natural plant, in order to ascertain its affinities, place, name, &c. 

 is called botanical analysis. 



365. In order to be in a proper state for this kind of examina- 

 tion plants should be in full blossom, and fresh, that is, not with- 



