124 
CHAUAOTERS USED IN CLASSIFICATION. 
or artificial. Essential Character ; that whicli forms a peculiar 
character of one genus, and distinguishes it Irom all other genera. 
Natural Character ; this is difficult to define, though under- 
stood by all : it is the general aspect and appearance of the 
plant, which enables all persons to make some kind of arrange- 
ment of plants in their own minds, although they would find it 
difficult to explain their reasons for this classification to others. 
It will appear from this definition of natural characters, that in some respects 
the so-called Natural method is in reality artificial, since it depends upon charac- 
ters which can only be learned and understood by the aid of science ; and we must 
admit that the genera which compose some of its orders are often as unlike in 
habit and in properties as are those which compose the classes of Linnfeus. 
It is by their natural characters that persons who have no knowledge of the 
science of zoology or the classification of animals are enabled to distinguish fero- 
cious beasts from domestic and gentle animals : they see a sheep or cow without 
any terror, although that individual one they may never have seen before ; for 
nature teaches them to consider that as resembling other sheep and cows, which 
are inoffensive. This natural character teaches savages to distinguish among the 
many plants of the forest those which might subserve their wants, and those which 
would be injurious. Even the lower grades of animals have this faculty of select- 
mg, by natural characters, nutritious substances and avoiding noxious ones ; thus 
•we see the apparently unconscious brutes luxuriating in the rich pastures prepared 
for them by a benevolent Creator, cautiously passing by the poisonous weed, as if 
directed by an instinct given them by this Almighty Benefactor. 
157. A natural family^ or order, is composed of several genera 
of plants which have some common marks of resemblance ; and 
its name is usually founded upon this general character ; as 
Labiate and Cruciform^ which are derived from the form of the 
corollas ; Umbellate and Corymbiferous^ from the inflorescence ; 
Leguminous., from the nature of the fruit. In many cases, the 
family takes its name from a conspicuous genus belonging to 
it ; as the Rosacem., or rose-like plants ; Papaveracece., or poppy 
tribe, from Papaver.^ the poppy. Natural orders resemble arti- 
ficial orders in being composed of genera., but the principles on 
which these are brought together difier widely in the two 
cases. Many families of plants possess a marked resemblance 
in form and qualities, and appear evidently as distinct tribes. 
If the whole of the vegetable kingdom could thus be distrib- 
uted into natural groups, the study of Botany would be much 
simplified ; but it has already been remarked, that there are 
many plants which cannot without a forced arrangement be 
thus grouped. 
The artificial system may be compared to a dictionary ; — though by its use we 
do not at first find the name for which we seek, and then learn its definition, as 
we do in dictionaries of terms ; but we first learn some of the characters of a plant, 
and with these as our guide, we proceed to find the name. Having ascertained 
the botanical name, we can easily find to what natural group or order a plant be- 
Natural .nethod not simple — Savages distinguish plants by natural characters. — 157. Of what is a 
natural family composed ?— How named ? — In what respect do natural families resemble St^iiicial 
orders 1 — How do they diflfer 1— Artificial system compared to a dictionary. 
