86 METHOD TO FIND OUT 



The method to take tojind out an unknown plant. 



Observation. As the most important distinctions are founded 

 on the flower, the only proper time for examining a plant is when 

 it is in flower. 



When a botanist lias obtained a plant in flower, he 

 determines, in the first place, by inspecting the flower, 

 to what class it belongs, and to what order in that 

 class. He next refers to some practical work, such as 

 Dr. Bigelow's " Plants of Boston," Eaton's "Man- 

 ual," or Pursh's " Flora," in which the plant is pre- 

 sumed to be described, and turns to the class and or- 

 der pointed out by the flower. Next reads over the 

 generic characters in that order, carefully observing 

 the particulars of the fructification mentioned, until 

 one is found which applies. This gives him the gen- 

 eric or family name which is prefixed to the character. 

 Lastly he turns to the specific characters of the genus, 

 reads them over, and observes the particulars men- 

 tioned until he finds the one which applies. To this is 

 prefixed the specific name. Thus he discovers the tech- 

 nical name of the individual ; which was the object. 

 This is generally accompanied with the synonims, one 

 or more English names, and references to figures. 



By means of the name he is enabed to refer to what- 

 ever may have been written concerning it. And also 

 to refer to its place in the Natural Orders, and thus 

 see to what other genera it is allied. 



To be convinced of the great utility of an artificial system in con- 

 ducting 1 to the knowledge of plants, let us suppose the number of 

 known species of plants to be twelve thousand, and the number of 

 classes in a certain known method, to be twenty-four. A plant is 

 presented to me which I have never seen. 1 immediately look for 

 the general character, which serves to distinguish each of the 

 twenty- four classes. This being found, and consequently the 

 class of the plant being determined, 1 have no longer to look for 

 my plant among twelve thousand, but, on a supposition that each 

 class contains an equal number, among live hundred only the 

 twenty-fourth part of the number just supposed. I next look for 

 the character of the order, the second division, which being like- 

 wise found, will reduce the number to about an hundred. The 

 character of the genus, which I next explore, will reduce the 

 number still further, to twenty, for instance^that of the species 

 determines the plant in question. 



