BOTANIC A. 
3 
the genera include a great number of relative species, dis¬ 
tinguished by the specific difference of the root, the trunk, 
the branches, the leaves, &c. (yet all agreeing in the essential 
generic character) and are called by trivial names (expressive 
of the difference, or some other circumstances) added to the 
generic name. 
The essence of every vegetable, says Linnaeus, consists in 
the fructification (or mode of fruit-bearing) and the essence 
of the fructification consists in the flower and fruit; the 
essence of the flower consists in the antherse and stigma, and 
the essence of the fruit consists in the seed : Hence in his 
Sexual Theory, he necessarily makes the flower and fruit the 
foundation of his generic distinctions, and these are generally 
composed of seven parts. 
1st, The CALYX. 
2d, The COROLLA. 
3d, The STAMINA. 
4th, The PISTILLUM. 
5th, The PERICARPIUM. 
6th, The SEMINA. 
7th, The RECEPTACULUM. 
And the presence or absence, the number, figure, propor¬ 
tion and situation of the several parts, constitute the genus : 
but as there are few genera wherein all the parts of the 
generic or natural character are constant in every one of the 
species; Linnseus found it necessary to fix upon such circum¬ 
stances as are constant in both genus and species, and call 
those the essential or ruling character; as well the more 
easily to distinguish one genus from another, as to regulate 
and fix the several species and their varieties to their respective 
genera;* for which purpose, in some cases, he was obliged 
to have recourse to the nectarium .f 
* This variation renders the system incomplete (though perhaps it is the best 
hitherto formed) from the difficulty arising in adapting a plant to its proper class 
and order, as in one of the species of the Korse-chesnut fXEseulus paviaj though 
it is of the class heptandria, hath eight stamina $ and so of several others j as 
lychnis dioica, hypericum , cleome, &c. 
■f* See nectarium explained under corolla: And see the Gen. Plantarum, for a 
particular description of each genus, according to the natural character : And see 
the Systema Fegetahilium, where the genera and species are discriminated accord¬ 
ing to their essential and specific differences; under several generic and specific 
distinctions. 
