PUN 
tence has {nore than one finite verb ex- 
pressed or implied, and therefore consists 
of two or more simple sentences connected 
together; as, “ Virtue refines tlie affections; 
but vice debases them.” 
The comma is used to mark the pauses 
which occur in a simple sentence; the semi- 
colon and the colon divide a compound 
sentence into the members which compose 
it; and the period is placed at the end of a 
sentence to denote that it is complete, and 
unconnected with that which Ibllows. 
In a simple sentence, when two or more 
words of the same sort, or belonging to tlie 
same part of speech, occur, they are parted 
by a comma: as, “ Husband, wife, and 
children P open, generous, sincere “ to 
read, mark, learn ;” “ to live soberly, righ- 
iteously, and godly,” &c. 
Where the connection of the different 
^arts of a simple sentence is interrupted by 
•necessary adjuncts, either to the subject or 
to the verb, the separation is generally 
marked by a comma : as, “ To rouse man- 
kind, when sunk in ignorance or supersti- 
tion, and to encounter the rage of bigotry, 
armed with power, required the utmost 
vehemence of zeal, and a temper daring to 
excess.” 
The seimcolon is used for dividing a com- 
pound sentence, and hence it occurs most 
generally in cases where the comma has 
preceded, and a greater pause ,is necessary ; 
as, “ Tribrdation worUeth patience ; and 
patience, experience ; and experience, 
hope.” “ He knew how to conciliate the 
most enterprising spirit, with the coolest 
moderation ; the most obstinate perseve- 
rance, with the easiest flexibility ; the most 
severe justice, with tire greatest lenity ; the 
greatest rigour in command, with the great- 
est affability of deportment; the highest ca- 
pacity and inciinatiou for science, with the 
most shining talents for action.” In each 
of these examples the first clause forms a 
complete sentence, and what is expressed 
in it is understood in those v/hich follow. 
The colon divides a compound sentence 
into parts less connected 'than those which 
are separated by a semicolon. It may be 
properly applied in the three following cases : 
1. When a member of a sentence is com- 
plete in itself, but is followed by some sup- 
plemental remark, or further illustration of 
the subject: as, “ The knowledge of nature 
is only half the task of a poet; he must be 
acquainted likewise with all the modes of 
‘Jife.” 
$. When several semicolons have pre- 
PUN 
ceded : as, “ Those who propagate evil 
reports frequently invent them ; and it is no 
breach of cliarity to suppose this to be al- 
ways the case ; because no man who spreads 
detraction would scruple to produce it: and 
he who sliould diffuse poisons in a brook 
would scarce be acquitted of a malicious 
design, though he should alledge that he re- 
ceived it of another who is doing the same 
elsewhere.” 
J. Where an example, a quotation, or a 
speech is introduced : as, “ He was often 
heard to say: ‘I have done with the 
world.’” 
The period is employed to separate sen- 
tences winch are not connected in construc- 
tion ; but it may be sometimes admitted, 
though they are joined by a copulative or 
disjunctive conjunction : as, “ In passing 
judgment upon the characters of men, we 
ought to try them by the principles and 
maxims of their own age, and not by those 
of another. For, altiiough virtne and vice 
are at all times the same, manners and cus- 
toms vary continually.” 
Besides tlie points which.mark the pauses 
in discourse, there are ofliers, which denote 
a different modulation of voice in corres- 
pondence to the sense. Tliese are, 
The interrogation point. ... ? 
The exclamation point..,.. ! 
The parenthesis ,( 
The interrogation and exclamation points 
are sufficiently explained by their names: 
they are indeterminate as to their duration, 
and may in that respect be equivalent to a 
semicolon, a colon, or a period, as the sense 
requires. They generally mark an elevation 
of the voice. 
The parenthesis is a clause introduced 
into the body of a sentence without affect- 
ing the construction. It marks a moderate 
depression of the voice, and may be mark- 
ed with every point which the fsense would 
require if the parenthetical characters were 
omitted. It ought to terminate with the 
same kind of stop wliich the member has 
that precedes it ; and to contain that stop 
within the .parenthetical marks : as, “ He 
found them asleep again ; (for their eyes 
were heavy;) neither knew they what to 
answer him.” 
iPUNICA, in botany, a genus of the Ico- 
sandria Monogynia class and order. Natu- 
ral order of Pumace®. Myrti, Jussieu. 
Essential character ; calyx five-cleft, supe- 
rior ; petals five ; pome many-celled, many, 
seeded. There are two species; viz, P, 
granatum., common pomegranate tree, and 
