METHOD OF AH-ALYSIS. 
23 
LECTUEE y. 
METHOD OF ANALYZING PLANTS BY A SERIES OF COMPARISONS GEN- 
ERAL REMARKS UPON PLANTS, ETC. 
22. The dissection of a plant is, properly, analysis; the meaning of the term 
being a separation : but when we speak of analyzing plants, we mean that by ex- 
amining each part of the flower, we learn the Class, Order, Genus, and Species of 
the plant. A person engaged in ascertaining the name of a plant, may be said to 
be upon a Botanical Journey ; and the plant being his Directory, if he can read 
the botanical characters impressed on it by the hand of Nature, he will, by follow- 
ing system, soon arrive at his journey's end.* 
Let us suppose, then, we have before us a plant in blossom, of whose name and 
properties we are ignorant. — The name must be first ascertained. Following the 
Linnaean System : in the first place we have two comparisons to make — Whether 
the Stamens and Pistils are visible or invisible. If the Stamens and Pistils are 
not visible, we have already arrived at the class, which is Cryptogamia. If, how- 
ever, the Stamens and Pistils are visible, we have two comparisons to make — 
Whether the flowers have stamens and pistils on the same or different corollas. 
If the Stamens and Pistils are on different flowers, we then shall find the plant 
either in the class Dioecia or Moncecia, according as the Stamens and Pistils are on 
different flowers, proceeding from the same root, or from different roots. 
But if the plant has the Stamens and Pistils both inclosed in the same corolla, 
we must next examine — Whether the Anthers are separate, or united. If we find 
Hve anthers united around the pistil, we have found the class of the plant ; it is 
Syngenesia. 
If the Anthers are separate, we must proceed to a fourth stage, and see — 
Whether the filaments are separate, or united with each other, or to the pistil. If 
the latter circumstance is ascertained, we need search no further ; the plant is in 
the class Gynandria. 
If the flower has not the filaments united to the pistil, we must ascertain if the 
filaments are united with each other ; if they are so, and in two parcels or sets, the 
flower is in the class Diadelpiiia. 
If in one parcel or set, it is in the class Monadelphia. 
But if the filaments are separate, we must next examine — Whether these are oi 
similar, or of different lengths. (Of different lengths, those only which have four 
or six stamens are to be regarded.) If we find the flower has six stamens, four 
long, and two short, we need go no further, this is the class Tetradynamia. If the 
flower has four stamens, two long, and two short, it is in the class Didynamia. 
If the flower comes under none of the foregoing heads, we must then count the 
number of stamens ; if these amount to more than ten, we must then consider their 
insertion, as, whether inserted on the calyx or corolla, or, on the receptacle. If we 
find the stamens inserted on the receptacle, the flower is in the class Polyandria ; 
but if on the calyx or corolla, it is in Icosandria. 
If our flower has less than twenty stamens, with none of the peculiarities above 
jnentioned, of connection, position, or length, we have onl^'^ to count the number oi 
stamens, in order to be certain of the class ; if there are ten stamens, it is in De- 
candria ; and so on, through the nine remaining classes. This is the true analytical 
process ; but when we put plants together to form a species, and species together 
• Thornton. 
22. Meaning of the word analysis — How used in Botany — What two comparisons to be first made in 
analyzing a plant — When the stamens and pistils are inclosed in the same corolla 1 — When the anthen 
lire separate? — If the filaments are separate 1 — If the flower has not stamens of unequal length l-« 
When is the flower in oue of the fitvl ten classes ? — DifFeieace between analysis and syntliesis. 
