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Technical terms are explained as we proceed; and the advantage in this kind of explanation, over that of any abstract idea, is, that it is manifested to the senses of the pupils by the object before them. If a teacher attempt to define the words reason, will, &c., or any other abstract terms, there is danger that the pupil may, from misunderstanding the language used in the explanation, obtain but a very confused and imperfect idea of the definition; and, indeed, what two authors or philosophers give to abstract terms the same definition? Though mankind do not, in the purely mental operations, exhibit an entire uniformity, yet, in their external senses, they seldom disagree. A flower which appears to one person to be composed of six petals, with corolla bell-form, and of a yellow colour, is seen to be so by another. Pupils who find it difficult to understand their other studies, (which in early youth are often too abstract,) are usually delighted with this method of analyzing plants; they feel that they understand the whole process by which they have brought out the result, and perhaps, for the first time, enjoy the pleasure of clear ideas upon a scientific subject.

It is necessary, before the meeting of the class, to have a suitable number of plants collected, so that all may have specimens. In examining the pupils as they proceed in their study, each one, besides reciting a lesson, should be required to give an analysis of one or more plants; sometimes the whole class having similar flowers; sometimes giving to each pupil permission to bring any plant she chooses. This, also, at public examinations, is a satisfactory method of testing their knowledge of the subject. With respect to those portions of the work to which their attention should most particularly be paid, it must be left to the judgment of the teacher. Whatever relates to modes of classification, and makes part of a system, should be noted; many remarks, illustrations, and quotations, are designed merely for reading, without being considered as important matter for recitation.

The analysis at the bottom of each page, is designed rather to suggest the leading subjects, han as a form of questions; for every experienced teacher must perceive the importance of varying his mode of questioning.

CONTENTS

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LECTURE XLVIII.-Comparison between Animals and Plants.-Conclusion.............. 243

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GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR PRONOUNCING THE NAMES OF PLANTS.

BOTANICAL names of plants are formed according to the analogies of the ancient languages, chiefly the Latin. Some of the most common terminations of names of Genera and Species, are in a, um, us, and is; for example, the generig names GERARDIA, TRIFOLIUM, PRUNUS, and IRIS; and the specific names, virginicum, candidum, blandus, and officinalis. A great proportion of botanical names terminate in a, in which case the word has the sound of a in father, as Rosa, Viola, &c.

The letter e at the end of a word is always sounded; for example, Anemone, pronounced anem"o-ne.

The e is long before s, when it ends a word, as Bicornes, pronounced Bicor

nees.

In words that end in ides, the i is long, as in Hesperides.

The vowels ae and oe, are often used as diphthongs, and then have the sound of e, as Hepatica, pronounced Hepat'ice, and Di-æcia, pronounced Di-e-cia.

Cand g, as in English, are soft before e, i, and y, and hard before a, o, and u. The soft sound of c is like s, the hard sound like k. The soft sound of g, is like j, the hard sound like g, in the word gave; thus Alga is pronounced Alje. Musci is pronounced Musci.

The letters ch are hard like k, as in Orchis, pronounced Or'-kis.

Accent and Quantity.

The marks over the Generic and Specific names, in the Description of Genera and Species, have reference not only to the syllable which is to be accented, but to the quantity of the vowel in the accented syllable, as either long or short.

Those syllables over which the single mark is placed, have the vowel pronounced long, as in Fra-ga'-ria; those over which the double mark is placed, have the vowel short, as in He-pat''i-ca; in the latter case, the stress of voice is thrown upon the consonant; the two marks may, therefore, be considered as indicating that the consonant, as well as the vowel, is accented.

Words of two syllables always have the accent on the first; if the syllable end with a vowel, it is long, as in Cro'-cus; if it end with a consonant, it is short, as in Cac"-tus.

Figures, and other Characters.

The figures at the right hand of the name of the Genus, in the Description of Species, refer to the Class and Order of the Plant in the Artificial System; the word following the figures, and included in a parenthesis, designates the natural order of the plant. (For the characteristics of these orders, see Appendix, from page 27 to 32.)

The following characters denote the duration of the plant:

Annual-♂ Biennial-4 Perennial-h Woody.

Colour of Corollas.

r. red, p. purple, g. green, b. blue, w. white, y. yellow. The union of any two or more of these characters, denotes that the different colours are united. Ex. stands for exotic.

S. stands for south, referring to a region south of the Middle States.

Time of Flowering.

Mar. March, Ap. April, M. May, J. June, Ju. July, Au. August, S. September, Oc. October, Nov. November.

Localities.

Can. Canada, N. E. New England, Car. Carolina, Height, i. and in. incher, f. and ft. feet.

INTRODUCTION.

LECTURE I.

IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEM.-ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED FROM THE STUDY OF BOTANY.

THE universe consists of matter and mind. By the faculties of mind with which God has endowed us, we are able to examine into the properties of the material objects by which we are surrounded. If we had no sciences, nature would present exactly the same phenomena as at present. The heavenly bodies would move with equal regularity, and preserve the same relative situations, although no system of Astronomy had been formed. The laws of gravity and of motion, would operate in the same manner as at present, if we had no such science as Natural Philosophy. The affinities of substances for each other were the same, before the science of Chemistry existed, as they are now. It is an important truth, and one which cannot be too much impressed upon the mind in all scientific investigations, that no systems of man can change the laws and operations of Nature; though by systems, we are enabled to gain a knowledge of these laws and relations.

The Deity has not only placed before us an almost infinite variety of objects, but has given to our minds the power of reducing them into classes, so as to form beautiful and regular systems, by which we can comprehend, under a few terms, the vast number of individual things, which would, otherwise, present to our bewildered minds a confused and indiscriminate mass. This power of the mind, so important in classification, is that of discovering resemblances. We perceive two objects, we have an idea of their resemblance, and we give a common name to both; other similar objects are then referred to the same class or receive the same name. A child sees a flower which he is told is a rose; he sees another resembling it, and nature teaches him to call that also a rose. On this operation of the mind depends the power of forming classes or of generalizing.

Some relations or resemblances are seen at the first glance; others are not discovered until after close examination and reflection; but the most perfect classification is not always founded upon the most obvious resemblances. A person ignorant of Botany, on beholding the profusion of flowers which adorn the face of nature, would discover general resemblances, and perhaps form in his mind, some order of arrangement; but the system of Botany now in use, neglecting the most conspicuous parts of the flower, is founded upon the observation of small parts of it, which a common observer might not notice.

System is necessary in every science. It not only assists in the acquisition of knowledge, but enables us to retain what is thus acquired; and, by the laws of association, to call forth what is treasured up in the storehouse of the mind. System is important not only in the grave and elevated departments of science, but is essential in the most common concerns and operations of ordinary life. In conducting any kind of business, and in the arrangement of household

By the faculties of mind we examine the properties of matter-Human science cannot alter the laws of nature-Power of the mind to form classes-Classification not always founded upon the most striking resemblances, as in Botany-Importance of system.

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