PART V. 
THE I^ATURAL SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION. 
390. The great advantage of the Linnsean System consists in 
its offering the simplest and most easy method of finding the 
names of unknown plants ; but the student should not rest here. 
When we become interested in an individual, we wish to know 
rnore respecting Mm than his name; we inquire about his char- 
aoter^ his connections^ and his habits ; — and this is what we learn 
of plants by the Natural System of Botany. 
In arranging the various genera described in this work accord- 
ing to the STatural System, we adopt, with some modifications, 
the system proposed by Jussieu, improved by De CandoUe, and 
still further perfected by Lindley. 
391. SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF THE CLASSES IN THE NATURAL SYSTEM. 
Series I. 
PHENOGAMOUS 
PLANTS. 
r Exogenous growth ; a di- 
I cotyledonous embryo. 
IEndogenoas growth ; a 
monocotyledonous em- 
L bryo. 
Series II. 
CRYPTOGAM OUS 
PLANTS. 
A distinct axis 
or stem and 
foliage. 
f Woody 
I and vas- 
cular tis- 
I sue. 
Cellular 
tissue 
only. 
No distinction of stem 
and foliage, but all con- 
founded in a thallus. 
Class I.— EXOGENS or DICOTYLEDONS. 
perica;r i ^"^-"^'"^^ ^' An«iosperms. 
Seeds naked, " 2. Gymnosperms. 
II.— ENDOGENS or MONOCOTYLE 
DONS. 
" III.— ACROGENS. 
IV.— ANOPHYTES. 
v.— THALLOPHYTES. 
GENERAL VIEW OF THE NATURAL SYSTEM. 
392. Series I. — ^Flowering or Phenogamous Plants. 
Class I. — Exogenous or Dicotyledonous Plants. 
SuB-CLAss I. — Angiospekmous, EXOGENOUS Plants. 
DIVISION I. 
PoLYPETALous, EXOGENOUS Plants. — Under this division aite 
twenty groups, consisting of ITatural Orders, from two to 
twelve in each group. The groups are founded on various cir- 
cumstances, as number of ovaries^ their coherence^ or dis- 
tinctness ; the position and number of petals and stamens ; 
^position of the embryo in the seed, whether the latter contains 
albumen or is destitute of it ; number oi floral envelopes ; calyx 
and petals persistent or caducous ; trees^ or shrubs ; flowers^ 
regula/r or i/rregular ; situation of leaves; fruit um^ited, or sep- 
