Nomenclature. 217 



"^ans, the Rooting Bignonia. The generic and specific 

 s, taken together, constitute the proper scientific appella- 

 • n of the plant. Specific names sometimes distinguish the 

 untry which a plant inhabits, as Viola Canadensis, the 

 Canadian Violet ; or the situation where it naturally grows, as 

 y mlustris, which grows in swamps ; V. arvensis, in fields ; 

 they express some obvious character of the species, as 

 V rostrata, where the corolla has a remarkably long spur ; 

 f, tricolor ; which has tri-colored flowers ; V. rotundi/olia, with 

 rounded leaves ; V. lanceolata, with lanceolate leaves ; F. pri- 

 nuUfolia, where the leaves are compared to those of the Prim- 

 rose ; V. asarifolia, where they are likened to those of Asarum,; 

 y, pubescens, which is hairy throughout, &c. Frequently the 

 species bears the name of its discoverer or describer, when it 

 takes the genitive form, as Viola Muhlenbergii, Muhlenberg's 

 Violet, V. Nuttallii, NuttalPs Violet. When such commemo- 

 rative names are merely given in compliment to a botanist, 

 unconnected with the discovery or history of the plant, the 

 adjective form is preferred ; as Carex Torreyana, C. HooJcer- 

 iana, &c. ; but this rule is not universally followed. Specific 

 names are sometimes substantive;- as Ranunculus Flammula t 

 Hypericum Sarothra, Linaria Cymbalaria ; in which case they 

 do not necessarily accord with the genus in gender. These, 

 as well as all specific names derived from the names of persons 

 or countries, should always be written with a capital initial 

 letter. 



