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(Ranunculus acris, L., Fig. 50), the Creeping Buttercup (Ranun- 

 culus repens, L., see Plate), and the Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus 

 bulbosus, L.). Without entering into other details, it may be said 

 that the two latter kinds may be distinguished from Ranunculus 

 acris by having creeping branches by which the plant spreads in 

 Ranunculus repens, and by having a globular, swollen base to 

 the stem in Ranunculus bulbosus. 



The scientific name in each case consists of two Latin words, 

 and all three kinds of Buttercup have the first name, Ranunculus , 

 in common. This may be compared to a family name or sur- 

 name. The group of closely related and similar plants to which 

 it is given is called a genus, and this name is spoken of as the 

 generic name. The second name, on the other hand, is different 

 in each case, and applies, when joined to the generic name, to one 

 particular kind of plant only ; it is the name of the kind of plant 

 or species, the specific name. Thus the scientific name not only 

 serves as a definite label for the kind of plant, but gives a clue 

 to the plants to which it is most nearly related. An example 

 will make this clearer. Among the descriptions will be found 

 one of the Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus Ficaria). The English 

 name gives no clue to the real relationship of the plant, but the 

 scientific name at once indicates that it belongs to the same genus 

 as the Buttercups. The scientific name of each plant described 

 will be given at least once, even when the English name is used 

 throughout the description. 



Any flowering plant appears, even on the most superficial 

 observation, to be composed of a number of distinct parts. So 

 obvious is this that ordinary language has names, which on the 

 whole are correctly applied, for all the principal parts. We 

 distinguish in any entire plant such as the Buttercup, when dug 

 up carefully, the roots, the shoots composed of stems bearing 

 leaves, and the flowers. It is characteristic of all living beings, 

 both animals and plants, that their bodies are differentiated into 

 distinct parts, each with its own duties to perform in the life of 

 the whole. These parts are called organs, and living beings are 

 on this account often spoken of as organisms. Just as the eye, 

 the ear, or the hand have their special duties or functions to 

 perform in seeing, hearing, and grasping, and are suitably formed 



