106 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XVIi 
445. Specific names are generally adjectives ; generic names 
are nouns. ‘The specific name sometimes indicates the num- 
ber of leaves, as orcuis. bifolia, (bifolia, signifies two leaves, ) 
or the colour of the corolla; as vioua tri-color, (three coloured 
Violet,) or the form of the root; as souanum tuberosum ; (po- 
tato with a tuberous root.) Specific names are also derived from 
the names of persons; thus a species of the genus Bidens is 
named Beckii, in honour of Dr. Beck, a botanist of the state of 
New York. 
The name Renssevzrra has lately been given to a newly 
discovered genus; this is called after Mr. Van Rensseleer, a 
distinguished patron of American science. 
Natural Method. | 
446. The natural method consists in bringing together such 
plants as seem by nature to constitute one family, resembling 
each other in general appearances and medicinal qualities; as: 
lilies, herbs, trees, mosses, and ferns. Some of these natural 
families show a similarity in form and quality, and are evident- 
ly distinct from all others. If the whole vegetable kingdom 
zould thus be distributed into natural tribes, we should need ne 
other system than that of nature. But as we proceed on this. 
plan we soon find difficulties ; for, after selecting a few fami 
lies which nature seems to have formed with striking marks ot 
resemblance, we find others, less distinctly marked, and we at 
length see a vast number of plants which cannot be referred to 
any natural families. 
447. It is by their natural characters, that persons who have 
never heard of such a science as zoology, or the classification 
of animals, are enabled to distinguish ferocious beasts from do- 
mestic and gentle animals; they see a sheep or 1. cow without 
any terror, although that individual one they may never have 
seen before; for nature teaches them to consider, that, as re- 
sembling other sheep and cows, which they know to be inof- 
fensive. 
448. This natural character teaches savages to distinguish: 
among the many plants of the forest, those which may admin 
ister to their wants,and those which would be injurious. 
445, What is said of specific names? 
446, Give some account of what is called in Botany the Natural 
Method. 
447, How do persons ignorant of the science which classes animals 
distinguish ferocious beasts from domestic animals? i 
448, Of what use is the natural character of plants to Savages ? 
