GENUS AND SPECIES. 49 



This second name is called the specific name, 

 because it is the one which specifies or marks a 

 plant from differing plants of the same family. 



All plants which are thus alike are called by one 

 specific name and belong to the same species. So 

 the plants in a natural order are arranged in divisions, 

 each of which is called a genus ; and the plants in a 

 genus are arranged in divisions, each of which is 

 called a species. 



Our old friends the buttercups are a large family, 

 and they will give us good examples of their different 

 species. Let us go into the grassfield, and look for 

 the tall buttercup, with smooth round stems and 

 spreading calyx the common meadow buttercup. 

 Now, can we find one with the leaves of the calyx 

 turned back against the stem and with its flower 

 stalks furrowed ? Loosen the earth round it, and get 

 it up by the root, and see how it is swollen at the 

 bottom of the stem. This is another species or 

 member of the genus, and it is called the bulbous 

 buttercup. (Fig. 2.) By the roadside, by walls, 

 in shady places, we shall find still another specimen. 

 Its stalks are furrowed, but its calyx is spreading, and 

 it has runners, which creep along the ground and 

 throw out roots. This is called the creeping butter- 

 cup. Every plant, then, has a first name to tell its 

 family or genus, and a second name to tell the 

 members of the family from one another. 



