Principles of classificaiton in plants - Binomial Nomenclature

Principles of classification
We have referred above to the application by Linnaeus of the system of binomial nomenclature. This consists of giving every organism two names: a generic name and a specific name. The generic name is used to describe forms which bear a general similarity to one another, for example, the pear, the apple and the mountain ash are all placed in the same genus, Pyrus. The specific name distinguishes the members of the genus from one another, the pear being Pyrus communis; the apple, Pyrus malus; and the mountain ash, Pyrus aucuparia. Thus we see that the generic name becomes comparable with the surname in human society, while the specific name is equivalent to the Christian name.
In order to assist in appreciating the rank of various terms it is customary that all names of Families should end in -aceae and those of Orders in -ales, while Sub-orders end in -ineae. The names of Phyla should end in -phyta. Unfortunately this system has been adopted relatively recently and some of the older names do not fit properly into the scheme, so that there are many exceptions to these terminations.
As knowledge increases there is a tendency to separate and differentiate organisms in an ever-increasingly complex system. Critical work on any group generally results in splitting up the species into a larger number and as a result classification becomes more complicated. Moreover authorities often diHer as to the importance to be attached to particular features and as a result their systems of classification vary.
We are concerned here, however, with the main outlines of plant classification, and about these substantial agreement exists. The following scheme therefore is one which is generally accepted among botanists and it offers a comparatively simple arrangement of the more important groups.

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