120 
CLASSIFICATION. 
author believed that no plant was destitute of stamens and pis 
tils ; but he acknowledged that there were species in which these 
organs were so small, so obscure, or of such a singular forma- 
tion as to render it difficult and sometimes impossible to be 
certain of their existence, except by the jprinci'jple of analogy. 
Therefore he made the two grand divisions of plants, Phenoga- 
mous^ such as have stamens and pistils visible^ and Cryptoga- 
mous^ stamens and pistils invisible ; some later Botanists con- 
sidering that there are plants with no organs in the least re- 
sembling stamens and pistils have termed such Agamous. 
149. Species^ genus^ order^ and dass^ are abstract tevms de- 
noting certain distinctions which would equally have existed, 
although we had never observed them or given them names. An 
Individual plant is an organized being ^ complete in its pa/rts^ 
distinct and separate from all other beings. An oak, a rose, and 
a moss, are each of them individuals of the vegetable kingdom. 
A Species includes such individuals as agree in certain circunv- 
stances of the roots^ sterns^ leaves^ anfid inflorescence. We have 
no reason to suppose that any new species either of animals or 
vegetables have been produced since the creation. We some- 
times see varieties in plants made by cultivation ; the stamens 
and pistils, from excess of nourishment, and contrary to the 
normal process, expanding into petals. Varieties are also occa- 
sioned by strewing the pollen from one species upon the stigma 
of another ; but such plants do not produce perfect seeds, and 
therefore cannot reproduce themselves. Color, taste, and size, 
are not considered as marks of specific difference. 
150. A Genus comprehends one or more species grouped to- 
gether on account of some resemblance in situation, proportion, 
and connection of the organs which constitute the flower. Any 
one species of a genus may be regarded as a type or example of 
the others ; we may easily refer S]3ecies which we have not 
studied to their proper genus by a knowledge of any one spe- 
cies of that genus. Some genera appear to be distinctly marked 
by nature ; the various species of the rose form a beautiful genus. 
a. The generic names of plants are derived from various circumstances ; in some 
cases from a peculiarity in the form or color of the corolla, or some property of the 
plant ; and some are named from distinguished persons. Thus, Iris is named from 
Iris the rainbow, on account of its various shades of color. Digitalis is named 
from digitus, a finger, on account of the shape of its corolla, like the finger 
of a glove. Convallaria (hly of the valley) is named from a Latin word, con- 
valUs, signifying, in the valley. The name of the great Linnaeus is commemorated 
in a beautiful little flower, called the Linncea borealis.* Specific names are adjec- 
* Borealis, signifying northern, has reference to the situation of the country which gave birth to 
LinniEUs. The Linntea borealis is not uncommon in New England, and has been found on Green 
island, in the Hudson, near Troy. 
149, The terms species, genus, &c. — An individual— A species. — 150. What is a genus "? — A knowl- 
edge of one species enables us to recognize all other species of the same genus — a. Derivations of ge- 
eric names — Specific names. 
