形容词“性的（sexual）”起初只有非常有限的用法，决没有超出某一种类的分类用法的含义之外。直到18世纪，这个词语才扩展了它的含义，并开始也指生殖的一个过程。这一改变部分地归功于科学进步的结果。例如，1735年瑞典植物学家卡尔·冯·林奈（Carl von Linné）设计出了一套他所称的植物性征分类法（methodus sexualis），即植物的一套属种分类方法或系统，按照各类植物的生殖结构的特征和数目把它们按序列分类。这套分类方法（现今已经废止）给当时大多数学者甚至许多外行留下了深刻的印象。不过，当时仍然有一些颇为特殊的反对派存在。林奈的分类系统遭到一些宗教领袖的猛烈攻击，他们发表正式的文件指出这套分类系统考虑让一只雌蕊与数只雄蕊在同一朵花内同居。这显然是下流的，并且是对上帝的诽谤；因为上帝不可能创造如此堕落的生灵。因此，他们呼吁生物教师不要向学生提及林奈的植物分类法。

雌蕊(pistil )     雄蕊(stamen)

Introduction - What is sexual behavior?

History of the Term 2

The adjective "sexual" originally had only a very limited use and never implied anything more than a category of some kind. It was not until the 18th century that the word broadened its meaning and began to refer also to the process of reproduction. This was, in part, a consequence of scientific progress. For example, in 1735, the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné devised what he called a methodus sexualis, i.e., a sexual classification method or system in which plants were listed according to the character and number of their reproductive structures. This method (which is now obsolete) greatly impressed most scholars and even many laymen at the time. However, there was also some rather peculiar opposition. Linné's system was violently attacked by certain religious leaders who noted that it allowed for the cohabitation of one female pistil with several male stamens in one and the same flower. This was clearly indecent and a defamation of God who could not possibly have created such depravity. Biology teachers were therefore implored not to mention it to their young students.