NECESSARY PRELIMINARY KNOWLEDGE

THE METHOD OF PLANTS

IN GENERAL.

Ornate woodcut initial letter 'D' decorated with floral and leaf motifs.A perfect definition is constructed from the nearest genus the next highest category in a hierarchy and the essential difference the specific trait that distinguishes a species from others in that genus. Yet the true essences of things are unknown to us, and consequently, their essential differences are as well. However, since the same qualities, functions, and other accidental features flow from the same essence, there can be no more certain mark of essential or generic agreement than the possession of many common attributes—that is, having many similar parts and features, or the same overall appearance, habit the general shape or architecture of a plant, and texture. Indeed, what the Logicians call a proper accident a quality that belongs to all members of a group and only that group—which they insist should be used as the "essential difference" when one is missing—is granted to very few things. It is not easy, not to say impossible, for us to investigate what those specific traits are. Therefore, I do not fear to reduce plants that have many similar parts and features, or which agree in their total habit and texture, to the same genus original: genus, even if they differ in the shape of the flower, the number of its petals, whether the seed is naked or enclosed in a vessel, the number of cells into which such a vessel is divided, or any other accidental feature.

Thus, for example, I refer Honeywort original: Cerinthen to the Rough-leaved plants original: Asperifolias; a group including modern Borages, although instead of four separate seeds it has two vessels divided into as many cells, in each of which a single seed is contained. Likewise, I count Cachrys original: Cachryn and the Sea Parsnip original: Pastinacam marinam among the Umbelliferous Herbs plants like carrots or parsley that have umbrella-like flower clusters, although their fruit appears to be a seed vessel with the seed contained inside, rather than a "naked" seed; this is contrary to the usual rule of other Umbellifers original: Umbelliferarum.

Furthermore, for the sake of memory and instruction, as a token or