74 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



ninghami after the discoverer ; Cunninghamii after the 

 first describer ; Lambertiana in honour of. When named 

 in honour of a lady, the termination is (2, as Walkerse. 

 Many are also derived from native vernacular names of 

 unknown meaning. 



When the flower and fruit of two or more naturally 

 allied species agree in number and position of the diff'e- 

 rent parts, they are said to belong to the same genus, to 

 which a special name is given : thus, the apple, pear, and 

 quince are distinct species of the genus called Pyrus ; 

 cherry, plum, and apricot, of Primus ; gooseberry, red 

 and black currant, of Bibes ; onion, leek, and garlic, of 

 Allium; orange, white, and tiger lily, of Lilium, Mains 

 being the specific name of the apple, it is therefore 

 called Pyrus Malus ; pear, Pyrus communis ; plum, 

 Prunus domestica ; black currant, Ribes nigrum ; and 

 the white lily, Lilium candidum, &c. 



These are sufi&cient examples to show the use of 

 generic and specific names, as invented by Linnseus. 



Of generic names, the greater number are a compound 

 of two Greek words, such as Ch7ysanthemum — chrysos, 

 gold; anthemon, a flower — golden flower. Others are 

 derived from the names of persons, with the addition of 

 a Latin termination, as Banksia, in honour of Sir Joseph 

 Banks. The remainder are from various sources, as 

 local aboriginal names and Heathen mythology; many 

 ^ of doubtful and unknown origin and unmeaning applica- 

 tion have been given by the most learned botanists, 

 which in course of time become familiar, the names being 

 pronounced without any idea of their derivation or 

 meaning. 



The number of species in each genus varies greatly. 

 A genus in fact, has no definite limit in nature, and 



