AND GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD "GEN, I, 12, NEW EDITION ' BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO MRS. LINCOLN'S LECTURES ON BOTANY, FOB THE USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THE YOUNGER PUPILS OF HIGHER SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. BY MRS. LINCOLN PHELPS, AUTHOR OP " LINCOLN'S BOTANY," " PHELPS'S PHILOSOPHY," " CHEMISTRY," " FTHESIDI FRIEND," "IDA NORMAN," "HOURS WITH MY PUPILS," E'iC. TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTIETH THOUSAND. STEREOTYPE EDITION, PHILADELPHIA: CLAXTON,REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 819 & 821 MARKET STREET. 1873. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by J. B. LIPP1NCOTT & CO., In the Cltrk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. CONTENTS. P.-.ge Explanatory of the Frontispiece, ---.-- 5 Preface, ..........7 Introduction, ---.---..-8 CHAPTER I. Advantages of the study of Botany, 9 CHAPTER II. Division of the Sciences Different parts of the flower Importance of Botanical arrangement, - - 12 CHAPTER III. Practical Botany commenced by the analysis of the Pink Method of preparing an Herbarium Botanical excursions The study of Nature the duty and privilege of intellectual minds, ......... 18 CHAPTER IV. Introduction to Practical Botany continued- Latin and Greek Numerals Classes of Linnaeus, 23 CHAPTER V. Orders of Linnaeus Synopsis of Classes and Orders, ........... 28 CHAPTER VI. Best Method of learning Technical terms Organized and Inorgan ized beings The Root, 32 CHAPTER VII. Different kinds of Stems, .... 39 CHAPTER VIII. Of Buds, ....... 44 CHAPTER IX. Of Leaves, ....... 47 CHAPTER X. Leaves Appendages, ..... 58 CHAPTER XI. Different parts of the flower The Calyx, G3 CHAPTER XII. Corolla Nectary, ..... 68 CHAPTER XIII. Stamens and Pistils, .... 74 CHAPTER XIV. Inflorescence Receptacle Fruit Lin- naeus' Classification of pericarps, - - - - - 79 CHAPTER XV. The Seed, ....... 91 CHAPTER XVI. Germination of the Seed, ... 97 CHAPTER XVII. General Principles of Classification Na- tural Families of Plants, ..... - 103 CHAPTER XVIII. Natural Families, .... 107 CHAPTER XIX. Natural Families Labiate Plants, - - 112 CHAPTER XX. Class 1st Class 2d, ..... 118 CHAPTER XXL Class 3d- Class 4th, .... 123 CHAPTER XXII. Class 5th Class 6th, - 128 CHAPTER XXIII. Class 7th Class 8th Class 9th- Class 10th Class llth Class 12th, Exercises in Practical Botany, - - - - - - -143 Description of the Genera of Plants, --- 145 Description of Plants, - - - - - - - 162 Vocabulary, -.-.....-. J85 Language of Flowers, ........ U3 Oil COMMON NAMES OF PLANTS DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK. Pan Page Pa*i Adders' tongue, or Dog- Geranium, horse shoe, 176 Peony, ITS tooth violet, Anemone, 169 162 oak-leaf, stork-bill, 176 169 Penny- royal. Plumb, 171 ITS Apple, 178 crow-foot, 170 Potato, 181 Artichoke, 168 beefsteak, 180 Poplar, 177 Arrow-head, 179 Golden -rod, Poppy, ITS Arbutus, 169 Gooseberry, 178 Poke weed, 171 Asparagus, 164 Ground-ivy, 170 Pink, Bean, 176 Guelder rose, 183 carnation, 169 common pole. 176 Harebell, 165 Prince's pine, 167 bush, so. weeks, 176 Hemlock, 176 Pumpkin, 168 Beard-tongue, 176 Hemp, 166 Radish, 178 Boil-tlower, 165 Heal all, 177 Raspberry, 17? Elite, 165 Hop, 171 Red- top grass, 162 Blue-eyed grass, 181 Hound 1 s-tongue, 168 Rose, 178 Blood root, 180 Honey suckle, 173 Ribbon- grass, 176 Bind weed, 167 Horse-chestnut, 162 Kye, 180 Bittersweet, fahc 181 Hydrangea, 172 Samphire, Sage 180 166 ' 180 Borage, ,170 165 ndian corn, 184 Sassafras-tree, 182 173 Bouncing- bet 180 ndian pipe, 175 Saffron, 168 Box -wood, 168 ris, 172 Satin-flower, 174 Button bush, 167 Jtcobea lily, 162 Scabish, 175 Buttercup, 178 Jasmine, 172 Scull cap, 180 Broom-corn, Cat-tail, 181 183 Laurel, Larkspur, 172 169 Sedge, Snow-ball, 166 183 Catch-fly, 180 Lavender, 173 Snow-drop, 170 Catalpa, 166 Lady's slipper, 168 Snap dragon, 163 Cassia, 166 Lettuce, 172 Shad bush, 163 Castor-oil plant, 179 Locust-tree, 179 Spear-mirit, 174 Cayenne pepper, Catnep, 166 175 Love-lies-bleeding, Low anemone, 162 163 Spider-wort, Speed -well, 183 Cardinal flower, 173 Life-everlasting, 171 Sweet-briar, ITf Carrot, 169 Lily, blackberry, 172 Sweet-fern, 167 Cabbage, 165 red, 173 Sweet-pea, 173 Chestnut, 166 white, 173 Star-flower, let China-aster, 165 orange, 173 Strawberry, 165 Cherry, 178 Lilac, 181 wild, 170 Chamomile, 163 Liver-leaf, 171 St. John's wort, 172 Clover 182 Linchnidia, 176 Sun flower, 171 Cockle, 162 Loosestrife, 174 Sweet vernal-grass, 163 Columbine, 163 Lupine, 174 Sweet-william, 169 Crown imperial, 170 Mallows, 174 Stock-july-flower, 167 Cucumber, 168 Mallows, low, 174 Tamer, 185 Currant, 179 Marsh-mallow*!, 162 Thistle, 166 Daisy, 165 Matrimony vine, 174 Thyme, 182 ox-eyed, 167 May- weed, 163 Thorn-apple, 169 Dandelion, 173 Mandrake. 177 Thorn-bush, 168 Dill, 163 Mare's-taii, 171 Tirnot by grass, ITS Dog weed, Dogwood, Dwarf flower-de-luce, 168 168 172 Marigold, Meadow-grass, Milkweed, 181 177 164 Touch-me-not, Tulip, Turnip, 172 183 165 Elder, 180 Mock-orange, 176 Virpin's-bower 167 Enchanter's nightshade, Fennel. 167 163 Mountain-mint, Morning-glory, 174 1F8 Violet, Wall-flower, 184 167 Fever-few, 167 Mulberry, 175 Wake-robin, 164 Five-finger, 177 Mullein, 183 false, I8'2 Flowering wintergreen, Flowering almond, Flax, 177 162 173 Mustard, Nasturtion, Oak, 181 183 178 Watermelon Weepinff-willow, Whortleberry, 180 183 Foxglove, 170 Oats, 165 Wheat, IMS Four o'clock, Fringe tree. 174 167 Orchard-grass, Orchis, 169 175 Wild columbine, Wild geranium, 163 170 Prineed-gentian, 170 Pansy, 184 Wild tobacco, 173 Garden-columbine, 163 Peach, 162 Wild cherry. 17* Geranium, 170 Pea, 177 Wild senna, 1G8 bloody, 170 Pear, 178 Wind flower, It? - mourning, 175 Pepper, 166 Winter green. in " sweet scented. 173 Pepper mint 174 EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. PLANTS were made on the third day of the Creation. At the command of God, grass appeared upon the earth, the shrub and the tree, each yielding fruit, after its kind, ichose seed was con- tained within itself, for the reproduction of the same while the earth should exist. The plai^ represents the appearance of the earth at this exact period ; darkness had been separated from light ; the waters, gathered together, had left the land dry and solid for the sup- port of vegetation. The sun had not yet been created ; no ani- mal existed ; no eye but that of God then beheld the earth. We see represented the darkness still retreating from the light, as in the morning twilight. We must imagine the solemn silence which brooded over the broad earth : no hum of insect, song of bird, or lowing of animal was heard, for it was not until the fourth day (or period of time) that the sun was created ; and not until the fifth day, that the earth became animated with living things, which had voices, and could move. The plants had only vegeta- ble life; they were made for the use of the animal creation, and to adorn the face of the earth. The Creator beholding His work at this stage, " saw that it was good." The plate exhibits vege- tation in different forms, grass and rushes by the margin of the waters. In the centre of the foreground of the picture, is a small plant with broad leaves ; it is called the side-saddle plant.* Back of this is the papaw treef of the Tropics, with its rich clusters of * Sarracenia purpurea. See Plate III. Lincoln's Botany. f Carica papaya. See Plate IV. Lincoln's Botany. 1* (5) 6 EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. fruits. On the left is a strange-looking tree, resembling a gigan- tic fern ; this is the sago tree.* Further in the background we see the well-known oak, with its spreading branches ; and far off on the horizon appears the outline of the banyan tree (see page 14). Coming back to the foreground of the picture, we see a little to the left of the centre a huge stalk of Indian corn, with its full ears of ripened fruit; its barren, staminate-nowers are conspicuous as a feathery crown at the summit of the stem ; (see page 159, ZEA) yet, though they have no fruit, they are essential in the vegetable economy to the production of the fruit from the pistillate flowers below, now changed into the golden corn, every thread of silk having been a long pistil to which the germ or in- fant seed was attached.! * Cycas circinalis. See Plate VII. Lincoln's Botany. | See Lincoln's Botany, Natural Order, Graminacese, f age 293. PREFACE J. B, LIPPINCOTT & CO.'S NEW EDITION OF MRS. LINCOLN PHELPS'S "BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS." EUTAW PLACE, BALTIMORE, MD., July 15th, 1863. THE author has seen with regret that the study of Botany ib Primary Schools, and Juvenile Classes in Seminaries and Insti- tutes, has of late become less popular than formerly. She would urge that when made interesting, as it may be, this study i? pleasing to the pupil, and useful in its effects on the mind, lead ing to the love of flowers, to healthful exercise in collecting them, and by the beautiful analytical process of classification, teaching a practical logic. But it is useless to attempt to interest Beginners in Botany by presenting to them the abstruse principles of physiology, and wearisome research into the various supposed, but doubtful al- liances among the vegetable tribes. Under the attractive name of the " Natural System," learned Botanists have brought to- gether most unnatural combinations and unsystematic arrange- ments. Let Beginners be satisfied with simple steps at first: may there be found among such some future Linnaeus, who will gather up the disjointed fragments of the Natural System into one har- monious organization ! Better that the young should know something of plants, even though they should not become learned Botanists, than that this great portion of God's works should be to them as one vast sealed book. Our senses may enjoy the odour and the sight of flowers they may appeal to our emotions as festal or funeral append- ages, but God made plants for us to study, as well as to enjoy and love. (7) INTRODUCTION. THE STUDY OF PLANTS. GOD made plants for the study of man, as well as for utility and beauty. The seed, ever true to its nature, always brings forth the plant after its own kind ; it is therefore the essential organ : on its structure is founded what is called the "Natural System" in Botany, the outline of which we will briefly state: Take an acorn, (the seed of the oak), and then remove the outer coat or skin. The seed will voluntarily divide into two parts (called cotyledons, see page 93) ; nestled in a little cavity at one extremity of the seed is the germ, or embryo plant this is a miniature oak tree. Now examine a kernel of Indian corn ; you will not find it composed of two distinct lobes or cotyledons like the acorn. The germ is seen at what is called the eye of the seed.* We perceive in the beginning of the life of plants a great dif- ference between plants of different kinds ; this can be readily observed by placing seeds upon moistened cotton in a glass ves- sel, and watching from day to day the gradual development of the germ. In the difference in the manner of their growth is founded the great division of plants in the Natural System. In the full-grown oak, which has proceeded from the seed with two cotyledons, and in the Indian corn with one cotyledon, there are the following remarkable differences : First The oak has a branching stem. The corn has a sim- ple stem. Second The oak has grown by the increase of tissues from the outside of the stem, and the wood is hardest towards the centre. The corn has grown from the inside, pushing outwardly, and is hardest at the outside. Third The leaves of the oak are net-veined. The leaves of the corn are straight-veined. We shall now leave the pupil to begin the study of Botany, in which he will be led, gradually, to an understanding of the won- derful organization of the vegetable kingdom, and the different modes of classifying plants. * Refer to page 91 for an explanation of the seed and the germin- ating process. (3) CHAPTER I. Advantages of the Study of Botany.* 1. You are now about to commence a study which was for- merly thought too difficult for children, but which is, ill reality, much easier than many to which they usually attend. 2. In Grammar, you can have no assistance from maps or pictures, every thing in this science depends on the powers of the understanding; and it affords no pleasant objects to delight the eye. But Grammar is a very useful study, and should be pursued while you are young; and other studies, especially the one you are about to commence, will help you to understand it. 3. Geography is easier than Grammar, because you may have maps or pictures of countries before you, and the eye impresses on the mind the relative situation of places, the direction of mountains, the course of rivers, &c. but if, instead of maps, you could have the countries themselves before you, to examine with your eyes and hands, if you could see the people who live in them standing before you, how much deeper would be your impressions of Geography ! 4. You are now to study Botany ; here the objects about which you are to learn, will be placed before you, to see, to touch, and to smell. Thus three of your senses will be called upon to aid the memory and understanding ; and as flowers are objects of much beauty and interest, your imagination also maybe grati- fied. 5. Your emotions, too, will be warmed by the thought of His love and kindness who causeth the earth to bring forth, not only * NOTE. It is important, for the teacher to ask the pupils to give the heads of the chapters, either at the commencement or close of the lesson. 1. What is said of the study you are about to commence'* 3, What is said of the study of Grammar 7 3. What renders Geography an easier study than Grammar 1 4. Are the objects about which you study in Botany manifested to the senses ? 5. What effect has the contemplation of flowers upon the emotions ? 10 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. * -^rass for the beasts of the field, and food for the use of man,' hut a rich succession of curious and lovely blossoms for our ad miration and enjoyment. 6. In Botany you study things which God has made. When examining plants, with all their wonderful varieties, and observ ing the wise provision which is made for their growth, and th& perfection of the seed, with the mutual relations of the various parts to each other, you must remember to give the praise to Him whose infinite mind directs and watches over the growth of th.<i most humble plant, at the same time that he upholds the vast worlds which he has created, and which every moment need his sustaining care. Every motion we make, every breath we draw, and every pulsation of our hearts, show that this same care is over us too ; for without it, we could no more live, than we could have created ourselves. 7. Before attempting any new thing, we should always under- stand the reasons for so doing. I will now tell you why your pa- rents and instructors wish you to learn something about Botany. 1st. It is a delightful study : it presents you with sweet and pleasant objects, the contemplation of which is calculated to render your tempers mild and amiable. It will always furnish .ou with an agreeable amusement, which is not only innocent, ut of a nature to refine and improve your minds. 8. 2d. If you live in a city, your friends may have house- plants or gardens, and you may sometimes go to public gardens, where the most wonderful plants of all countries are collected, will it not be pleasant, when you meet with flowers, to be able to find, by examining a book, what are their true names, their characters and habits, and their medicinal qualities ? 9. 3d. There are a great many other things too, which Bota- ny will teach you, such as the offices performed by the root t stem, leaves, and other organs of the plant, especially by the different parts of the flower, to which is assigned the care ol forming and ripening the seed. 10. 4th. If you live in the country, every mountain-glen, every .neadow, the banks of every little brook, and the waysides, wiiJ show you the different families of plants, which appear, one af- ter another, from April till October. And many a beautiful lossom will lift up its little head in your rural walks as if to 6. Whose works do we examine in the study of Botany J 7. What advantages are first mentioned as connected with the studf of Botany 1 8. What advantages o.' the study are mentioned secondly 1 9. What thirdly? JO WhatfourtLlvt E Ch. 1.1 ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY. 11 ask rour notice. If you know nothing of Botany, you may in- deed love to look at pretty flowers, and to pull them to pieces , but in this there is little amusement and no instruction. It is when your reason is brought into action in order to examine how these wonderful pieces of work are put together, and to trace their various properties and relations, that the notice of flowers Becomes important as a means of improvement. 11. 5th. The study of Botany will teach you to be systematic in othei things: you will find that men of science have so ar- ranged plants, that all, even dandelions, daisies, and thistles, have their exact places in the system of classification. It is this exactness of arrangement which makes us able, amidst so vast a multitude of plants, to find the description of each one. II all the articles in a house were thrown together without order, you would be troubled to find a needle, a pair of scissors, a booR, or an article of dress. But by means of system, a person who possesses a hundred thousand articles, may arrange them so that any one can be found at any moment. 12. As a house is divided into apartments, so in Botany the vegetable kingdom is divided into classes ; as each apartment contains sideboards, bureaus, closets, &c., for disposing of dif- ferent articles, so each class in Botany contains orders in which are arranged the individual plants. There are also subdivisions of orders in Botany, which may be considered as corresponding to the different drawers of bureaus, and shelves of closets, so that a Botanist is seldom obliged to look over a whole order be- fore he finds the particular plant which he seeks for. Now some children are very careless with respect to the arrangement of the clothes, books, and other articles, with which their kind friends provide them : it appears to me, that when they see how beautiful is the systematic arrangement of plants in Botany, they will at once resolve that every thing which belongs to them, or that they have the care of, shall be arranged according to some rule, so that they may always find what they want, without being obliged to make a long search for it. I could spend a great deal of time in telling you of the advantages of a knowledge of Botany ; but it is better that you should proceed directly to the study, and then your own minds will suggest to you many reasons why it is to be classed among the most useful snd interesting oranches of science. I will however mention Ojie farther recommendation of this study. 11. What fifthly 1 1*2. How do the divisions of a house correspond to the division* IB Botanv 7 12 BOTANY FOR BEOINNEKS. [Oh. Tl 13. 6th. I leads us to love and reverence God. Flowers are presents which our heavenly Father gives us. It is there fore proper that we should examine and study them. We see that He who made them must be wiser and more powerful than the greatest of men for what man could make the least plant ? We can imitate flowers in wax and various other ways, but who an give them life ? None can the Jfe of plant or insect give Save God alone . 14. Flowers may be considered as tokens of God's love to ds ; " If God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, will he not much rathe 1 clothe us ?" He Scorns not the least of all His works ; much less Man, made in His image, destined t' exist, When e'en yon brilliant worlds shall cease to be Then how sftould man, rejoicing in his God, Delight in His perfections, shadow'd forth In ev'ry little flow'r and blade of grass ! Each op'ning bud, and care perfected seed, Is as a page where we may read of God. CHAPTER II. Division of the Sciences. Different parts of flowers. 1m portance of Botanical arrangement. 15. WE are now about to commence our new study. There are many sciences to be learned by those who wish to be wise , but yet all things which exist in the whole universe may be clashed under two heads, mind, and matter. 16. Mind or spirit cannot be seen by us, although it exists ID all rational beings, and is that within us which thinks and feels. 17. God is a spirit ; he is not like us confined to any body, or portion of matter, but as the sun's rays spread abroad over the earth, so the presence of God extends to every part of his crea 13. What advantages are mentioned sixthly as connected with the tudy of Botany 1 14. How may flowers be considered 1 15. Under what two heads may all things which exist be classed? 16. What is observed of mind or spirit 1 Ch. I.J DIFFERENT PARTS OF FLOWERS. 13 tion; we do not perceive him, because we cannot see mind, When our spirits are separated from the body, or matter, they will no doubt at once perceive that they are in the presence of God. 18. The science which treats of the Deity, and of our duties Co Him, is called TJieology.* 19. The science which treats of the Human mind, is called Philosophy of the mind, or Metaphysics.^ 20. The study of matter is sometimes called by the general term Physics ; it is divided into three general heads. 1. Natural Philosophy. 2. Chymistry. 3. Natural History. A mere definition of Natural Philosophy and Chymistry would not enable you to understand what these sciences are, hut you will soon be able to study them with pleasure and profit. 21. Natural History, or the History of Nature, is divided into, 22. 1. Zoology,% which treats of animals. 23. 2. Botany, which treats of plants. 24. 3. Mineralogy, which treats of stones, &c. This science includes Geology, which treats of rocks, the manner of their form- ation, and the various changes which have taken place on the surface of the globe, since its creation. 25. The word Botany is derived from the Greek botane, which signifies a plant. The objects of this science are the vegetable kingdom, including every thing which grows out of the earth, having root, stem, leaf, or flower. 26. There are two principal departments in Botany ; 1st, that which treats of the classes and orders of plants ; this ii called Systematic Botany. NOTE. The auention of the pupil should be directed to the notes which point out the derivation of words. * From the Greek Tkeos, God, and logos, a discourse, t From meta, beyond, and phusis, nature, t From zoe, life, and logos, a discourse. 18. What is tnat science called which treats of the Deity"? 19. What is the science which treats of the Human Mind 1 20. How is the study of Matter divided 1 21. What are the branches of Natural History 1 22. What does Zoology treat of 1 23. What does Botany treat of? 24. What does Mineralogy treat of? 25. From whence is the term Botany derived, and w-h&t a * tk 0fr Jects of the science ? 26. What is systematic Botany ? !4 BOTANY FOB BEGINNERS. [Ch 11. 27. 2d. Tliat which treats of the different parts of the plants and their uses ; this is Physiological Botany. Fig. 1. a a 28. In beginning to study Botany, it is best to examine first the parts ol a flower. 29. Here is a lily, Fig. 1 ; that part of it which ft you would call the blos- soms, is the corolla ; * .this is composed of six ftparts, each of which is [fcalled a petal. 30. There are within the corolla six thread- like organs ; these are called stamens ; examine them as they appear at Fig. 2. You see that one pa-rt, as at a, is long and slender; this is called the Jilament, fromjffora, a thread. At b is a little knob which is hollow like a box ; this is the anther. * So called from the Latin corolla, a little crown. 27. What is phy siological Botany 1 28. What is the best way of beginning the study of Botany 7 29. What are .he botanical names of the blossom of a lilv and its 30. Describe t:,e stamens and their parts, OIL II. I DIFFERENT PARTS CF FLOWERS. Fig. 2. 31. In the centre of the lily^ is the pistil ; this consists of three parts, the stigma, (see Fig. 2. /) the style, (e) and the germ, (d). 32. The end of the flower stem, where the petals of the flower are inserted, is called the receptacle; you may see it at Fig. 2. g. 33. In most flowers you will observe the corolla standing in a little green cup ; this is called the calyx* The lily has no calyx, but the rose and the pink have. 34. I have now told you ot five parts of a flower : 1. Calyx the cup ; surrounding tke corolla. 2. Corolla the blossom; the parts are called petals. 3. Stamens enclosed by the corolla; the parts are thejila ments and anther. 4. Pistil standing in the centre ; the parts are the germ style, and stigma. 5. Receptacle bearing the other pat ts of the flower. 35. Besides these, there are two other parts, which are con- sidered as belonging to the flower: viz. the pericarp and the seed. * The word calyx signifies a cup. 31. Describe the pistil and its parts. 3-2. What is the receptacle ? 33. What is the calyx 7 34. Name the five parts of a flower whic^ have been mentioned, 35. What twc other parts belong k o the flowei 1 BOTANY FOR BEGINNER** Fig. 3. fClLlL 36. The pericarp is only the germ when it becomes rpe; it is this part of the flower which contains the seed. 37. At, Fig. 3, a is a representation of the pericarp; you will perceive it is much larger than the germ at Fig. 2.f. At b the pericarp appears as if cut across, and shows three divisions, these are called cells, each of which contains two seeds in the shape of a triangle, as at bb. 38. The seed is, as you have seen, carefully packed away in little cells in the pericarp ;* this is the most important part of the flower ; and it seems as if all the other parts were chiefly intended to nourish and protect this. 39. If you add the pericarp and the seed to the five parts which you have already learned, you will then have seven parts of the flower to remember. These are called Organs of Fruc- tification, from fructuSj fruit, and facio, to maKe. 40. I shall hereafter inform you more particularly respecting * The word pericarp is derived from the Greek words, peri, around and karpos, fruit. 36. What is the pericarp 1 37. Describe Fig. 3. 38. What is the most imp irtant part of the flower ? 39. How many parts corstitute what are ca'led the organs of fructification 1 40. What is meant by ana yzlng a flower ? Oh II. 1 DIFFERENT PARTS OF FLOWERS, 17 hese organs, or members of the flower; but m st now proceed <o leach you something about analyzing plants ; The word analyze means, to separafe a thing into parts;) in" one sense, therefore, you have now, in considering the different organs 01 a flower, analyzed it: but this is only to prepare you for ano- ther kind of analysis, by means of which you will be able to tell where a plant belongs in the botanical system, and what is itg otanical or true name. 41. In the introductory chapter, I spoke of the importance of systematic arrangement ; (when you learn something of Botany, you will perceive that this science could not exist witfcut sys- tem. 42.x Formerly bocanists endeavoured to give descriptions of plants ; but naving no rules to go by, tr ey were not able to un- derstand ea^h other. If a person wished to learn about any particular plant, he might be obliged to look over a great many pages, or a whole book, before he could find it; because he kid no rule to guide him in his search. 43. When you look out a word in a dictionary, you search for the first three letters, and as the words are arranged by rule, you can find immediately what you wish. If all the words in a dictionary were thrown together without any order, how dis- couraging would be the task of looking for definitions. 44. Now it is just so with respect to describing plants ; we must be guided by some rule in their arrangement. What shall this rule be ? Suppose we should arrange the names of plants in alphabetuil order, and then give descriptions of them. But here is one great difficulty ; the names by which people who do not understand Botany call plants, are not the same in different places; persons whose gardens are very near each other, will often call the same flower by different names ; and in differen countries, the names of plants are expressed in different Ian guages ; what we call corn, is in Frencn, ble, and in Latin, ce res. Without some general system, therefore, you perceive we could not learn any thing of the plants of different countries, and could not understand each other even with respect to our own plants. 45. After a great many attempts had been made to class ,41. Is systematic arrangement necessary in Botany? 42. Why were the botanists of former "times unable to understand each other? 43. By what rule are words in a Dictionary arranged 1 44. Would the description of plants in alphabetical order, serve a* a rule for botanical arrangement 1 " 45. How did LinnaBus procose to arrange plants 1 2* 18 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. Ch. Ill plants,, Linnaeus, of Sweden, proposed to arrange them under classe* and orders, by means of the stamens and pistils. He had discovered that these organs existed in all plants ; that some had one stamen, others two, three, &c. and that it was the same with regard to the pistils, which, although the lily has but one, are numerous in the rose and some other plants In the next chapter 1 shall tell you something more of the classes- of Linnaeus, and teach you how to analyze a flower according to his system. CHAPTER III. Practical Botany commenced by the analysis of the Pink. Method of preparing an Herbarium Botanical excursions The study of nature the duty and privilege of intelligent minds. 46. Plants, as I have told you, are arranged in classes ai*' orders by their stamens and pistils. The largest division is that of classes. 47. There are twenty-one classes. 48. Each class is divided into orders. 49. A plant with one stamen belongs to the first class ; a? there are some plants here with one pistil, and others with two, there are a first and second order in the first class. 4# What is the largest division of plants 1 47. How many classes are there 1 48. How is each class divided 7 49. What circumstances would place a plant in the firss or second order of the first class CV. IL ANALYSIS OF THE PINK. Analysis of the Pink. Fig. 4. 50. You will understand this better if I give you an exam pie. You shall now analyze a flower in order to find its bota- nical arrangement and name. Here is a pink. We wish to Know in what class it is count the stamens you say ten, therefore this is in the tenth class ; the name of the class is Decandria (from delta, ten, and andria, stamens.) 51. We wish to know in what order this flower is count the pistils you say two, it then belongs to the second order of the tenth class ; the name of this is Digynia (from dis, two, and gynia, pistil.) 52. Orders are composed of families of plants called genera, which is the plural of genus. 53. We must, as a third step in our analysis, learn to what genus this flower belongs ; for this purpose it is necessary that you turn to that part of your book called " Description of the Genera of Plants ;"* look for Class 10, Order 2. Now instead of looking a whole book through, you have only to examine the genera which you find under this order, and to compare your flower with each description until you find one which answers to it. * To find this, see the " Table of Contents." 50. How can you find in v/hat class the pink is placed 1 51. How can you know in what order the pink is 1 52. Of what are the orders of plants composed? 53. iVhat is a third step in the analysis of the pinK? Fie. f 20 BOTANY FOH BEGINNERS. [ Ch. ,Ti 54. The first genus mention- ed is, u HYE;RANGEA ?> this is said to have a "calyx 5 tooth- td, superior," examine thy calyx of the pink (Fig. 5, a;) this is five toothed, or has five notches around the top of it, but it is not superior, that is, the calyx does not stand above the germ. Your flower is not therefore of the genus Hydran- gea, because it does not fully agree with the description. 55. SAXIFRAGA. "Calyx 5 parted, half superior ;" althojgh the first part of this description agrees with your flower, die last part does not correspond with it. 56. SApaNARiA. " Calyx inferior" (under the germj " \ leafed" (all of one piece ;) " tubular," (long and hollow like a tube,) "5 toothed;" so far this description applies to your (low- er. But the next circumstance, " calyx without scales" is dif- ferent from what you see in the pink, (See Fig. 5. &.*) 57. "DIANTHUS. Calyx inferior, cylindrical" (long and roundish ;) " 1 leafed, with 4 or 8 scales at the base ; petals 5," (See Fig. 4. a) " with claws," (the petals long and slender at the lower part;) "capsule" cylindrical, I celled (t?ja capsule is a kind of pericarp ;) " dehiscent" this means gapirg, as you see at Fig. 5. c, which represents the capsule or set A vessel oi the pink as it appears when ripe, the valves or pieces which compose it, open of themselves as if for liberating the seeds. At d the capsule appears as if cut horizontally, showing the seeds all contained in one cell. Fig. 4 at c shows the capsule as it appears when the pink is in blossom, at which time it is called the germ. As this flower agrees in every particular with the last mentioned description, you may be certain you have now found its genus ; the pink then belongs to the genus DIANTHUS. t * This represents the scales of the calyx of the pink. 54. Why does not this flower belong to the genus Hydrangea'* 55. Why is it not of the genus Saxifraga ? 56. Why is it not Saponaria 1 57 Why is tho pink of the genus Dianthu: ? CJl. II1.J HERBARIUM. *1 58. You have a fourth step to go in the analysis of this flow- er ; for each genus is composed of several sorts or species of plants. It is necessary to know to what species of the genus Dianthus this flower belongs. 59. Look in the latter part of your book for the " Description of species of plants."* Here you find the genera arranged in alphabetical order, each genus being followed by a description of its species. If you have a natural flower with its leaves, you can now compare it with the specific descriptions. 60. " Armeria, flowers aggregate ;" this means clustered together on one stalk; but pinks do not grow in this manner therefore the plant is not of this species. 61. li Barbatus, flowers fascicled," (bundled together;) it cannot be this species, because the flowers are noi fascicled. 62. " Caryophyllus, flowers solitary, scales of the calyx sub-rhomboid ;" (sub-rhomboid means somewhat diamond shaped,) " very short, petals crenate" (scolloped on the edge,) beardless, (without hair or down.) The pink is in all respects answerable to this description. It is also added, that the leaves are " linear," which means long and narrow ; " subulate" sig nifies pointed at the end like a shoe-maker's awl ; channelled^ signifies having a groove or channel running through the leaf. 63. You have now learned the class and order of the pink, with the genus and species to which it belongs. The botani- cal name of the pink is, DIANTHUS caryophyllus. It belongs to, Class 10. DECANDRIA. Order 2. DIGYNIA. 64. Having analyzed a flower, you must now take one of tne same kind, and lay it between sheets of paper to dry, having a weight placed over to press it. Every person who would be- come a Botanist, shouiJ preserve specimens of all the plants he meets with. A book of such specimens is called an herb- arium. 65. There are few parents who would not delight to see a handsome herbarium made by their child. There is no dim- See " Table of Contents." 58 What is the fourth step in the analysis of a flower 1 59. Where are you to look to find the species! 60. Why is not the pink of the species armeria? 61. Why is it not of the species btirbatus ? 62. Why is it not of the species caryophyllus ? 63. What have you now learned respecting the pink 7 64 What is an herbarium 1 {&. Describe the process of preparing plants for an herbarium. 22 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. ( Ch. Ill cu!t> in your affording your parents this gratification. All tnat you need in pressing plants, is some sheets of paper, (newspa- pers will answer, they are better than more firm and stiff paper) a board, and a stone or some other weight to press the ptant. Borne leaves and flowers of the plant should be carefully spread out upon one sheet of paper, and half a dozen other sheets placed over them ; the board with the weight should then be laid upon the upper sheet of paper. The plants at. first, ought to be taken out and placed between dry sheets of paper as often as once or twice a day. Some will dry in a few days, others require more time. 66. When you have as many as fifty specimens prepared, you can then arrange them in a blank book, fastening upon the first page of each leaf one or more flowers, either with glue or by means of cutting through the paper and raising loops, un- der which the stems may be placed. By the sides of the plant should be written the class, order, genus, and species, and al- so the place where found, that is, whether in dry or wet ground, lew or mountainous, &c., and also at what season of the year. Such herbariums would do children much credit if prepared to be exhibited at public examinations of their school. 67. Young botanists, as well as those who are older, may derive great pleasure in making excursions into the fields, and upon the hills and mountains, for the purpose of collecting plants. Thus they learn to love every blossom which springs up under their feet ; their hearts beat with pleasure when they meet with some little strange flower, which exhibits new traits in the character of the vegetable race. Every murmuring brook shows its banks clad with flowery treasures; the forests and groves exhibit another, but not less beautiful assemblage o* plants ; and the mountain, the valley, and the sea coast, have all their own peculiar vegetable productions. 68. Did the great Being who created such a profusion oi these beautiful and curious objects, and who also gave to chil- dren eyes to see, hearts to love, and understandings to study them, intend they should pass them by with neglect? No, my dear children, it is your duty, as it should be your pleasure, to search into the wonders of created nature, to exercise vour mental faculties, and to animate your pious feelings in thinking much upon the works of God. 66. How should dried plants be arranged in a book? 67. What is said of making botanical excursions 1 68. What is said of paying attention tc the works of God 1 Jh. IV.] INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL BOTANY CONTINUED. 25 CHAPTER IV. Introduction to Practical Botany continued Latin and Greek Numerals Classes of Linnccus. 69. You have been taught to analyze one flower ; while f ou were doing this, did not many thoughts seem of themselves to come into your minds ? You examined a lily ; you found it had six stamens, and one pistil, and it is very likely you thought that if the pink was in the tenth class and second orde* because it had ten stamens and two pistils, the lily must be in the sixth class and first order it is so. 70. Now when you learn one fact it will bring many new thoughts to your mind ; and this furnishes great encourage- ment for you to study ; since you not only gain the knowledge which is the immediate object of your search, but are enrich- ing your minds with many connected ideas which follow in its train. 71. You will, perhaps, now think that all flowers are classea by the number of stamens, but this is not correct, for as some have more than a hundred stamens, such an arrangement would be making quite too many classes ; and besides, it is found that such plants as have more than ten, often vary in the num- ber of stamens, so that only the first ten classes depend on this circumstance. 72. Linnaeus discovered that the stamens of some plants grew upon the calyx, and others upon the receptacle ; the rose is of the former kind, and the poppy of the latter. 73. Take off the petals of a rose and you will perceive the stamens to be inserted upon the calyx ; for this reason it is of the llth class ; and because it has many pistils is in the 13th order. 74. The name of the genus is Rosa. In this genus are many species ; as Rosa muscosa, or the moss rose, which has upon its calyx and stems a collection of hairs resembling moss Rosa alba, the white rose, distinguished not only by the white- uess of its petals, but by peculiar circumstances of the leaves and stems. 69. After learning the classification of the pink, what should von ufer respecting the class and order of the lily 1 70. What should encourage you to learn? 71. Are all flowers classed by the number of stamens 1 72. Are the stamens of all plants placed in the same position 1 73. Why is the rose in the llth class, 13th order? ~4. What is observed of the different species in the genus 24 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS [ Ch. IV 75. The apple blossom appears like a little wild rose, it be iongs to the same class and order as the rose, but is of a differ ent genus. 76. If you examine a poppy, you will find numerous sta- mens growing upon the receptacle or top of the flower stem , this is therefore of the 12th class. It has but one pistil, and is therefore in the 1st order. 77. Having made you acquainted with some of the prince oles in Systematic Botany, and taught you how to proceed in -he Analysis of flowers, I shall now give you to learn the Latin ind Greek numerals, which, added to certain other words, :ompose the names of the Classes and Orders. It is not in Botany alone that a knowledge of these numerals will be useful to you ; many of our most common words are compounded with them ; for example, uniform is from units, ?ne, and forma, form, octagon, is from octo, eight, and gonia^ uigle, &c. NUMERALS. 78. Latin. Numbers. Greek. Unus, I. Monos, single. Bis, 2. Dis, twice. Tres, 3. Treis. Quatuor, 4. Tettares. Quirique, , 5. Pente. Sex, 6. Hex. Septem, 7. Hepta. Octo, 8. Okto. Novem, 9. Ennea. Decem, 10. Deka Undecem, 11. Endeka. Duodecem, 12. Dodeka. Tredecem, 13. Dekatreis. Q,uatuordecem, 14. Dekatet tares. Quindecem, 15. Dekapente. Sexdecem, 10. Dekaex. Septemdecem, 17. Dekaepta. Octodecem, 13. Dekaokto. Novemdecem, 19. Dekaennea. Viginti, 20. Eikosi. Multus, Many. Polus. 1b. What is said of the apple blc^som? f6. Why is the poppy in the 12th i.asSj 1st 77. Is it in Botany alore that a mfrals is useful 3 rder1 > of Greek and Lati f!h. IV.] CLASSES OF PLANT3. CLASSES OP PI ANTS. 79. These are founded upon distinctions observed in the & FAMENS. 80. All known plants are divided into twenty-one classes. 81. The hrst twelve classes are named by prefixing Greek > imerals to ANDRIA, which signifies stamen. 32. The first ten classes depend on the number of stamens- CLASSES. 83. Number of Stamens. Names. 1. MON-ANDRIA, 2. Dl-ANDRIA, 3. T-RI-ANDRIA. 4. TETR-ANDRIA 5. PENT- ANDRIA, 6. HEX-ANDRIA, 7. HEPT-ANDRIA, 8. OCT-ANDRIA, 9. ENNE-ANDRIA, 10. DEC-ANDRIA, Fig. 6. Definitions. One Stamen. Two Stamens. Tfiree Stamens, Four Stamens. Five Stamens. Si& Stamens. Seven Stamens. Fight Stamens. Nine Stamens. Ten Stamens. NOTE. The pupil should be required to give the derivation of th< names of the classes ; as " Monandria, from Monos, one, and Anaria, si amen,' 1 &c. 78. Repeat the numerals. 79. On what are the classes founded 1 80. How many classes are there? 81. How are the first twelve classes named 1 82. What classes depend on the number of stamens 1 S3. Repeat the names of the first twelve classes. 26 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. 84. fll. ICOS-ANDRIA,* (Eikosi.) Number and I 20 ] 12 POLY-ANDRIA, (Polus.) many. I LCh. IV Over ten slamens inserted on the Calyx. Over ten Stamens inserted on the Recepta cle. Fig. 7. . 85. The two following classes are named by prefixing Green numerals to DYNAMIA, which signifies power or length. Number C and relative < 13. DI-DYNAMIA, length. ( Number ( and relative < length. ( 14. TETRA-DY- NAMIA, (Having four stamens ; two < of which are longer or more ( powerful than the other two. ( Having six stamens ; four < of which, are longer or more ( powerful than the other two. Fig. 8. 86. The two following classes are named by prefixing Greek numerals to the word ADELP.HIA, which signifies brother- kood. ( Stamens united by their 15. MON-ADELPHIA. < filaments in one set or ( brotherhood. * The name of this class does not now designate its character, siuce Uie number of stamens is often more or less than twenty. 84. What are the two classes which depend on the number and po- sition of the stamens ? 85. What fvo classes depend on the number and relative length of stamens 7 8H. "W hat two classes have their stamens united by their laments 1 CLASSES OF PLANTS. 16. DI-ADELPHIA, Two brother hoods. The next class is named by prefixing SYN. signifying together, to GENESIA, which signifies , growing up. wt*Z 97. 17. flowers compound. Fig. 9. 88. The next class is named by an abbreviation of the word GYNIA, which signifies pistil, prefixed to ANDJUA, showing thai the stamen and pistil are united. ' 18. GYN-ANDR.A, *** Bowing out of the Position. 89. The two following classes are named by pre fixing numerals to CECIA, which signifies a house. ( Stamens and Pistils on se- 19. MON-CECIA, < parate corollas upon the ( same plant or in one house. c Stamens and Pistils in sepa- 90. Position. ^ 20. DI-CECIA, J rate corollas upon different ( plants or in tuo houses. Fig. 10. sition. ) 20. '. 91. The name of the last class is a compound of two Grefc words, CRYPTOS, and GAMIA, signifying a concealed union. 87. What class has the stamens united by their anthers 1 88. What class has the stamens growing out of the pistill 89. Describe the class Monoecia. 90. Describe the class Dicecia. 91. Describe the class. Cryptogams. 23 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. |_Ch. IV r c Stamens and Pistils invisibly Naiu/ai. J 21 CRYPTO-GAMIA. ? or too small to be seen by tht * ( ( naked eye. Fig. 11. Lichens. Mushrooms. Perns. Mosses. 92. All plants are either Phenogamous^ with stamens and pistils visible, or Cryptogamous, with stamens and pisti' . in- visible ; the first twenty classes are of the former, the tw ,nty- first class of the latter kind. 93. You have now been taught the classes into which j lants are divided It is important that these should be well u ider- stood, and that as early as possible, you collect some plaj ts of each class. CHAPTER V. Orders of Linnaus Synopsis of Classes and Orders. 94. THE classes are divided into Orders. Each class usu- ally contains several orders ; you will best learn to distinguish them by practice in analyzing plants, though it is proper you should learn their names, and the circumstances on which they are founded. ORDERS OF PLANTS. 95. The orders of the first twelve classes are founded upon the number of PISTILS. \ 92. What general name is given to the first twenty classes, and what are the plants of the twenty-first class called 1 93. What have you now been taught ? 14. How can you best learn to distinguish the differed orders IB ach clas^ 7 ^5. On what are the orders of the first twelve classes founded 1 CLASSES AND ORDERS. Names. 97. f 1. MONO-GYNIA, 2. Dl-GYNIA, 3. TRI-GYNIA, Orders 4. T ETRA-GYNIA, found ift 5. PENTA -GYNIA, the first <| 6. HEXA- GYNIA, twelve 7. HEPTA-GYNIA, classes I 8. OCTO-GYNIA, Q ENNEA-GYNIA, 10. DECA-GYNIA, Oh. V.| 96. Tne orders are named by prefixing Greek numerals tc the word GYNIA, signifying pistil. ORDERS. No. of pistils. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. this order seldom found 7. this still more unusual 8. very rare. 9. very rare. 10. . 13. POLY-GYNIA, over ten pistils. The classes vary as to the number of orders which they con- tain. 98. The orders of the 13th class, Didynamia. are but two. 1. GYMNOHPERMIA. From GYMNO, signifying naked, and SPERMIA, signifying " seed, implying that the seeds are not enclosed. From ANGEION, signifying bag or sack, added to SPERMIA, implying that the seeds are enclosed. 99. The orders of the 14th class, Tetradynamia, are two both distinguished by the form of the fruit. 1. SILICULOSA- Fruit, a silicula, or roundish pod. 2. SILIQUOSA. Fruit, a siliqua, or long pod. 100. The orders of the 15th and 16th classes, are founded on the number of stamens, that is, on the characters of the first twelve classes, and they have the same names ; as Monan- dria, &c. 101. The 17tb class, Syngenesia. has its five orders distin- guished by different circumstances of the florets, as: J. EQUALIS. Stamens and pistils equal^ or in proportion; that is, each floret has a stamen, a pistil, and one seed. Such florets are called perfect. 96. How are these orders named 1 97. Repeat the names of the orders. 98. What are the orders of the 13th class! 99. What are the orders of the 14th class? 100. In what classes are the orders founded upon the nuinb* r of sta- men si 101. What are the orders of the seventeenth class 1 3* seeds usually four, lying in the valyx. 2. ANGIOSPEKMIA. seeds numerous in a capsule. 30 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [ Ch. V 2. SCPERFLUA. Florets of the disk perfect, those of the ray, containing only pistils, which without stamens are sitr perfluous. 3. FRUSTRANEA. Florets of the disk perfect, of the ray neu- tral, or without the stamen or pistil ; therefore frustra- ted, or useless. 4. NEC ESS ARIA. Florets of the disk staminate, of the ray pis- tillate ; the latter being necessary to the perfection oi the fruit. 5. SEGREGATA. Florets separated from each other by par- tial calyxes, or each floret having a perianth. 102. The orders of the 18th, 19th, and 20th classes, like those of the 15th and 16th, depend on the number of stamens. 103. The orders of the 21st class, Cryptogamia, constitute sil natural families. 1. FILICES, includes all Ferns, having the fruit on the leaves, 2. Musci, Mosses. 3. HEPATIC^, Liverworts, or succulent mosses. 4. ALG^K, Sea-weeds, and frog spittle. 5. LICHENS, Lichens, found growing on the barks of old trees, old wood, &c. 6. FUNGI, Mushrooms, mould, blight, &c. 104. No confusion is produced in taking the character of some classes, for orders in others ; for example : if you have a flower with ten stamens, united by their filaments into one set, you know by the definition of the classes that it belongs to the class Monadelphia, you can then, because it has ten stamens, place it in the order Decandria of the same class. Having explained the principles on which the artificial classes and orders are founded, we will now place them before you, in a synoptical or general view. 105. "SYNOPSIS OF THE CLASSES AND ORDERS OF LINNAEUS."* CLASSES. . ORDERS. 1. MONANDRIA, 1 stamen, ^j Number of styles, if styles arc 2. DIANDRIA, 2. I wanting, number of sessile stigmas. 3. TRIANDRIA, 3. > Monogynia, 1. style, or one sessile 4. TETRANDRIA, 4. stigma. Digynia, 2. Trigynia, 3. 5 ^ 5. PENTANDRIA, 5. J Tetragynia, 4. Pentagynia, 5. Hex * We say of Linnceus, because there are other systems of classing plants, though none so generally adopted, or so proper for the learnei, 102. On what do the orders of the three following classes depend? 103. What are the orders of the class Cryptogamia? 104. Does any confusion follow from taking the characters of som* cl issest for orders in other classes ? Ch.V.| a: f 6. I 7. HEPTANDRIA, 7. <! 8. OCTANDRJA, 8. 1 9. ENNEANDRIA, 9. p [lO. DECANDRIA, 10. CLASSES AND ORDERS. agynia, 6. gynia, 8. gynia, 10. over 10. Heptagynia, 7. Octo- Enneagynia, 9. Deea- Polygynia, any number Number relative Length. , . f 13. Number and J 11. ICOSANDRIA, over 10 stamens, en the calyx. Position. \ 12. POLYANDRIA, many stamens, not on the calyx. n DIDYNAMIA, 4 sta-") 1. Gymnospermia, seeds na- mens, 2 of them ked. longest. (2. Angiospermia, seeds in cap- 1 14. TETRADYNAMIA, 6 j sules. stamens, 4 of 1. Siliculosa, pod short. ^ them longest. J 2. Siliquosa, pod long. 15. MONADELPHIA, filaments uni- ted in 1 set. 16. DIADELPHIA, fil- aments united in 2 sets. 17. SYNGENESIA, an- thers united flowers com- pound. 18". GYNANDRIA, sta-" mens on the pis- til, distinct from corolla. 19. MONCECIA, sta- mens in flowers separate from pistils, on the same plant. 20. DICECIA, stamens Connexion if the Sta- nens by ilaments or anthers. Characters and names of pre- ceding classes. As, 1. Monan- dria, 2. Diandria, 3. Triandria, 4. Tetrandria, 5. Pentandria, 6. Hexandria. Disk and ray florets compared. 1. ^Equalis, 2. Superflua, 3. FFus- tranea, 4. Necessaria, 5. Segr^- gata. Position of the Stamens relative to the Pistils. or Cadu-^ co us. in flowers sepa- rate from pistils, on separate plants. very Characters and names of prece- ding clasvses, (as under the classes 15 and 16,) 7. Heptandria, 8. Oc- tandria, 9. Enneandria, 10. Decan- dria, 12. Polyandria, 16. Manodel- phia. wanting, or caducous. Natural families. 1. Filices, 2 3. Hepaticae, 4. Algae, 5. j Lichens, 6.' Fungi. NOTE. The teacher cannot too much insist upon a thorough know- ledge of the names and characteristics of the classes and orders. 105. You may now repeat the names of all the classes, with their o. tiers. BOTANY FOR BEGINNEf.S. [Oh. VI CHAPTER VI. Best method of learning Technical terms Organized and of inorganized Beings The Hoot. 106. WHEN you began to analyze plants, you were made ac- quainted with the first ten classes, because these are the most simple and easy to learn. But as you have now learned all the classes and orders, it is necessary that you should understand that the best method of analyzing a plant, is to begin by com- paring it with the description of the last class, and if it does not belong there, to go on to the lower classes. 107. As you proceed in your Botanical studies, you will find it necessary to look out many words in the vocabulary, which is attached to the book you are now studying. In fact, the lan- guage of Botany is new to you, and you must make use of a dictionary, as if you were studying a new language. 108. It used to be considered necessary for a pupi) in the first place to learn to repeat the hard words, or what are called the technical terms, but this was tedious and discouraging, and therefore Botany was thought to be a dry and difficult study. 109. But you can much better learn the technical terms by looking out their definitions as you have occasion to under- stand them 5 for instance, when you are examining some one plant, you find in the description of the species which belong to the genus to which you have traced it, one which is said to have leaves radical; by turning to the vocabulary, you find that this means growing from the root ;* if your plant has its leaves growing from the stalk, you will perceive that they were not radical. If the leaves were said to be serrate, by turning to the vocabulary, you find that this means having notches upon the edge, like the teeth of a saw (from serra, a saw ;) if your plant has its leaves without such notches, you would see that they were not serrate. If the term glato^ous were used, you would find it meant smooth ; if the leaves oi your plant were rough, you would see that this word would not apply to them. If another species was described as having * The root in Latin is radix, genitive radicis, from whence comes radical. 106. 'What is the best method of analyzing plants 1 107. *Vhy must you use a vocabulary in studying Botany 1 Jft Why was Botany formerly considered a dry study? lv,J. What is the best way of learning technical terms 1 Oh, VI.] BEST METHOD OF LEARNING BOTANICAL TtRMS. 33 caulme leaves, (that is, growing out of the stem) entire, or without notches, hirsute, or rough, you would perceive that this description corresponded with your plant. 110. Now you will remember the words radical and cau- line, serrate and entire, glabrous and hirsute, by learning them as you proceed in your analysis, much better than by committing them to memory with their definitions. 111. The exercise of looking out words in the vocabulary, aid at the same time examining a plant, is useful, by bringing into exercise your judgment and powers of reasoning. 112. Thus you see, my dear children, how much more agree able and profitable is the study of Botany now than formerly. Authors and teachers are labouring to make it easy and plea- sant for you to learn. Many of the thorns and briars which once hindered the young from gaining access to the garden of knowledge, have been removed by those who love and care for you. And will you not put fortfii a little power to make your own way towards this delightful region, where rich fruits of lite- rature and science will be the reward of your efforts ? 113. The analysis of plants is called Practical Botany. We commence with this, because we think you will feel an in- terest in plants when you have become acquainted with their place in the system of Linnaeus, and that you will wish to know the uses of their various organs, the manner in which they receive food, and what it is which makes them living be- ings. ] 14. These tlr/igs will now be explained to you, and with attention on your part, you will be enabled to understand many curious and interesting facts. Every kind of plant which you can find, should be carefully examined, and each part noticed. Will not this be better for your minds than idle play ? Your parents and teachers will delight to gratify your fondness for botanical walks, and will perhaps sometimes be at leisure to accompany you. 115. I have said plants are living beings. When deprived of water or air, they droop and die, as you would do without food and drink. 110. Ho v would you be likely to remember the terms radical, cain line, &c. 1 111. What effect does the analysis of plants have upon the mind? 112. What encouragements have children to endeavour to gain knowledge? 113. Why do we commence with Practical Botany 1 114. What can you learn by giving your attention to these things * 1 15 Why do plants need water and air ? 34 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. VI 116. Plants are organized beings; that is, they are compo- sed of parts which hear a mutual relation to each other ; and which are all necessary to form a perfect individual. 117. Children, you too are organized beings; there is an inti- mate connexion between every part of your bodies. From your brain, a substance similar to it extends in every direction, Iprming nerves. If you prick your finger, or hurt your toe, the feeling which follows is communicated by nerves to yourbrairi and by your brain to your mind. 118. If some organs of your body were lopped off, for instance, your hands or feet, you would not be a perfect organized being ; so <f a plant were stripped of its leaves or deprived of its root, it would be an imperfect specimen of its kind. 119. But you might break a stone into many pieces, and each one would be as perfect a specimen of its kind as the whole stone was. This is because a stone is an inorganized being ; that is, it does not consist of parts which have a mutual con- nexion and relation. 120. Plants, then, are living, organized b<^ngs ; they are fur- nished with pores, by which they imbibe o; suck their nourish- ment from surrounding bodies. 121. The principal organs of the plant are the 'Root, Stem, Leaves, and Flower. 122. The Root fixes the plant in the earth, and absorbs from it various substances necessary for its<support. 123. The Stem conducts juices from the root to the leaves and branches ; the divisions of the stem are branches ; the di- visions of these are bougfis. 124. Leaves are to vegetables what lungs are to animals ; by their means, the plant imbibes from the surrounding atmos- phere, moisture, and a substance called carbonic acid gas ; this is composed of two parts, oxygen and carbon ; the latter is re- lained by the plant, and becomes a part of its own substance, while the oxygen, after being deprived of its carbon, is throwi* back into the air. 116. Why are plants said to be organized beings 1 117. Are there other organized beings besides plants'? 118. When is an organized being imperfect 1 119. Are stones organized beings 7 120. How do plants derive nourishment from sui rounding bodies 121. What are the principal organs of the plant 1 122. What is the use of the root 1 123. What is the use of the stem ? 124. What is the use of the leaves 1 Ch. VL | ORGANS OF PLANTS. 35 125 Flower. The parts of this have already been named, we hall speak more particularly of them hereafter. 126. The root, stem, and leaves, are organs necessary for the growth of the plant. 127. The flower contains within it the seed, and the parts ne- cessary for its security and perfection. Of the Root. 128. The root is that part which grows in the earth, and sup ports the plant in an upright position. It sends nourishment to every part. Some roots grow in water, and are called aqua- tic, (from aqua, water,) some fix themselves upon other plants, and get their support from them, these are called para- sites. 129. The root gains its stock of food for the other parts of the plant by means of small tubes or fibres, which are called ra- dicles, a word that signifies little roots. Duration of Roots. 130. Roots, according to the age to which they live, are di eided into three kinds ; annual, biennial, and perennial. 131. Annual roots do not live over one year. They are rais- ed from seed every season ; this is usually sown in the spring, the plant comes up, bears its blossoms and fruit, and dies in autumn. ^ Of this kind are poppies, beans, and cucumbers. 132. Biennial roots live two years. They do not biosscm the first season; the next year they produce flowers and fruit, and the fruits die. You have probably seen cabbages carri >A into the cellar in the fall ; the heads, which are only the leaves growing close together, are used for the table. The root, with the stalk upon it, is in the spring set out in the garden. Leaves boon spring from the stalk, these are used for sallad ; by and by Howers appear, the petals of which drop off, and the germ be- comes a pod or silique containing the seed. The root then finis, and no care can restore it to life. The life of the plant ^ Do you reco lea the parts of the flower, as mentioned in Chap- S* ^ hat are the or ails necessary for the growth of tne p.am ? 127. What does the .lower contain 1 128. What are the different kinds of root? 129. What are the radicles 1 130. How are roots divided with respect to age 1 31. What are annual roots? 13"! What aif biemrV '-'ts? 36 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. VL seems to be expended upon the blossom and fruit. The onion, beet, and carrot, are biennial plants. 133. Perennial roots live many years ; among them are the asparagus, dandelion, and grasses, and all trees and woody plants. 134, Climate and cultivation affect the duration of the rootj of vegetables. Some perennial plants become annual by trans- planting them into cold climates: the garden nasturtion, a pe- rennial shrub or woody plant of South America, has become in 3ur latitude an annual plant. Form of Roots. Pig. 12. The shape of roots is different in different kinds of plants; the most com- mon form is the 135. Branching root, which is divided into ma- ny parts, like the branch- es of a tree ; same of these branches extend deep into the earth, while others creep along its surface. Roots that have been torn up have been known to become branches covered with leaves, and branches buried in the earth have become roots, and sent out fibres or radicles.-r- The radicles are the real roots, as they imbibe, through pores, the moisture and salts which the earth affords for the nourish- ment of the plant. 136. Fibrous roots consist almost wholly of radicles. Most of the annual plants, and also the grasses, have roots ol this kind. The fibres usually grow di- rectly from the bottom of the stem ; by ob- serving them in a handful of grass, you can understand the description, better than bj any drawing. 133. What are perennial roots'? 134. What affect the duration of plant: I 135. Describe branching roots. 136. Describe fibrous roots. Oh.VI.i 37 137. Spindle roots are large at the top, and ta- pering downwards, as carrots, radishes, &c. This root has but few radicles, and is therefore not so well furnished with the means of gaining its food as some others. You could easily convince your- selves that the plant owes its food to these fibres, by taking two radishes, placing one in water until every part is covered except the radicles, and put- ting only the radicles of the other in water ; while the leaves of the former would soon droop and die, those of the latter would for some time remain fresh and green. Fig. 15. 138. Creeping roots, instead oi forcing their way downwards into the earth, extend almost horizon- tally along its surface ; they send out many fibres, anu new plants spring forth from the roots in every direction around the original one. This kind of root is very hardy ; it grows in san- dy places, and is often useful in binding the soil, by spreading and weaving its fibres together. Holland, which is much ex- posed to the washing of its numerous lakes and bays, has its Coasts bound together by such vegetable products. 137, Describe spindle roots. 138, What are creeping roots 1 FOIl BEGIN>uR4. Fig. 16. |Ch.VI. 139, Tuberous roots , are hard, solid, and fleshy; thay con- sist of knobs called tubers. Some have but one tuber, as the pu'ato, which is shown at Fig. 16, a. In the artichoke, many tubers are strung together by fibres, as at b. In a kind of plants called orchis, the root has two tub.ers, resembling the parts in- to which a bean may be divided, as at c. You will perceive that they all are furnished with radicles. The tuber is a reser- voir for the nourishment collected by the radicles. Such roots are knobbed, as in the potato} oval, as in the orchis ; abrupt, as in the plantain. 140. Granulated roots consist of little bulbs or tubers strung together by a thread-like radicle, as in Fig. 17. 139. What are tuberous roots 1 140. Wha> * re granulated roots? Cb. VII. J HOOTS*. 3y ..41. Bulbous roof 9 are fleshy, and of a bulbous or 2 obular form. They enclose a plant, and in this respect resemble seeds. A plant thus protected within a bulb, is able to bear a degree of cold that it could not otherwise sustain. We see, then, the wis- dom of Providence in so ordering things, that cold countries have more bulbous plants than warm ones. 142. Bulbous roots produce many of the most beautiful plants of our gardens; such as, tulips, lilies, snow-drops, ana nya- ci.iths. Bulbs seem in many respects to resemble buds, and in some plants, they grow like stems or branches, as, in one kind of lily. In the magical onion, the bulbs or onions grow upon the stalk in clusters of four or five; they continue to enlarge until their weight brings them to the ground, where if they are suffered to remain, they soon take root. Bulbs are solid, as in the tulip, (Fig. IS, a) scaly, as in the lily, (6) and coaled, as in the onion, (c). Fig. 18. 143. Some plants grow without roots, these are called air plants. One of this kind, suspended from the ceiling of a room, will grow and blossom for years. I CHAPTER VII. Different kinds of Stems. 144. THE stem is the body of the plant. This is hard and woody in some plants, and soft and watery in others. The oak 141. What are bulbous roots, and why are they most common in cold countries 1 142. What is farther remarked of bulbous roots ? 143. Are there any plants without roots'? 144. What is the stem'? 4G BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. VIL and rose are woody plants, the lily and pink are herbaceous. Woody plants are divided into trees which have large stems called trunks and grow to a great height, and shrubs whose stems are smaller and which never grow very high. 145. The use of the st^m is to support the branches, leaves., and flowers, and to convey to them, by means of certain tubes, such substances as the root absorbs from the earth. The stem also conveys back to the root, by means of another set of tubes, certain juices which have passed through changes in the leaves If you water a plant with coloured liquid, the stem will in time show that it has ascended into it. 146. The caulis* or proper seem, is seen in forest trees, in shrubs, and in most annual plants. The caulis is either simple, as in the white lily ; or branching, as in the geranium ; the branching, is the more common form. You have here, Fig. 19, the representation of a cau- lis ^ or proper stem, (a) , a peduncle, or fiowei stalk, (b) ; and a vetiole, or leaf stalk, (c). Plants with the real stem, or caulis, are called cauline plants. 147. Geologists, by examining rocks, and the petrifactions they contain, have found that cauline plants were not created until after such as k*~ <*,ulms or stipes. * From the Greek kaulo$, a stem. 145. What is the use of the stem 7 146. Describe the caulis or proper stem. 147. What have geologists discovered with respect to the ordT ctf creation of plants 7 Ck.VJI.1 Fig. 20 STEMS. 41 148. Culm, or straw, (Fig. 20,) is the kind ot stem which you see in grasses and rushes. The bam boo, sugarcane, and various species of reeds, have stems of the culm kind; some of them, particu- larly the bamboo, are known to attain to the height of forty feet. We can imagine something of the appearance which extensive plains of these lofty tropical reeds must present, gracefully bending to the slightest breeze, like our meadow grasses. 149. Scape. This is a stalk springing from the root, which bears the flower and fruit, but not the leaves ; as the Dandelion, the Cowslip, and the Lily of the Val- ley, (a a Fig. 21). 'Plants with scapes are sometimes called stem- less plants. 150. Peduncle, or flower stalk. This is a subdivision of the princi- pal stem ; it bears the flower and fruit, but not (he leaves. When the peduncle is divided, each sub-division is called a pedicel. 151. When there is no peduncle or flower stalk, the flowers ire said to be sessile, which means sitting down upon the main stem. 152. Petiole. Tne petiole or leaf-stalk, is a Kind of*' ai, or fulcrum, supporting the leaf; it is usually green, and appears to be a part of the leaf itself. In most cases, the leaves and flowers are supported by distinct foot stalks, but sometimes one foot-stalk supports both the leaf and flower. 148. Describe the culm. 149. What is a scape 7 150. What is a peduncle, and what is a pedicel? 151. When are flowers said to be sessile 7 152. What is the petiole ? 4* BOTANY KOR BEGINNERS. |Ch. VII. Fig. X 153. Frond. Fig. 22. This >is where the leaf appears to be a part of the stem, as in the com- mon fern, which bears its flowers and fruit upon the back and edges of the leaf. The palm leares are .called fronds. Plants with fronds and stipes are sometimes called by the general name of stiped- plants. 154. By observations of geolo gists, it is ascertained that stip- ed plants were created before cauline ones ; since petrifactions of tlie former are found in the lower formations of the earth, whiie no remains of cauline plants are ever found in them. ID this sketch of the fern, a represents the lower part of the frond, sometimes also called the stipe. Fig. 23. 155. Stipe, is the stem or leafless part of a frond, or the stalk of a fungus or mushroom. The term is also applied to the slender thread, which a in many of the compound flowers, elevates the hairy crown, with which the seeds are furnished, and connects it with the seed. Thus, in the seed of the Dandelion, which is here represented, the column (Fig. 23, a) standing on the seed (b) and elevating the down (c) is the stipe. |^ 153. Describe the frond. 154. What plants, according to the observations of geologists, were first created! J56 What is a stipe" VII. 1 STEMS. 43 156. Here is a mushroom, >r Toad- stool, with the cap, (Fig. 24, a) elevated by its stem or stipe (e). 157. Herbaceous stems usually die every year ; in some cases, when the root lives more than one year, the stem is an- nual, as in the Tulip. 158. Woody stems are composed of tough fibres, as the oak, currant-bush, &e. Plants with woody stems are generally much longer lived than herbaceous plants. 159. Pithy stems, like the elder, are in their centre composed of a soft substance, called medulla, or marrow. Some stems are solid, as the Box ; hollow, as the Onion ; and corky, as the Cork tree. 160. The stem is either simple, or divided into branches^ The divisions of the main stem are called branches ; the divi- sions of the branches are called branchlets, or boughs. 161. Branches sometimes grow without any regular order; sometimes they are opposite ; sometimes alternate ; and some- times, as in certain species of the pine, they form a series of rings around the trunk. Some branches are erect, as in the pop- lar ; others are pendant, as in the willow ; some, as in the oak, form nearly a right angle with the trunk. 162. A remarkable phenomenon is described by travellers as being exhibited by the stems of the Banyan tree of India, called the Ficus Indicus; these stems throw out fibres, which de- scend and take root in the earth. In process of time, the stems become large trees ; and thus from one primitive root, is formed a little forest. The tree is called by various names; as the In- dian-God-tree, the arched-Fig-tree, &c. The Hindoos plant it near their temples, and in many cases the tree itself serves them for a temple. Milton speaks of this tree as the one from which Adam and Eve obtained leaves to form themselves garments; he says: 156. What is the stem of the mushroom called ? 157. What are herbaceous stems composed of? 158. JVhat are woody stems 1 159. Wha: other kinds of stems are there? 160. What are branches and boughs? 161. What are the different appearances presented by branchesl What is said of the Banyan tree? BCTANY FOR BEGINNERS. ' '** VII " It was not the fig-tree renowned for fruit/' " Such as at this day to Indians known In Malabar or Decan, spreads her arras, Branching so broad and long, that in the ground] The bended twigs take loot, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade High over-arched, and echoing walks between. You have here a picture of this wonderful tree, which is aid to have given shelter to an army of several thousand me a Fig 25. Ficus Indicus, or Banyan tree. CHAPTER VIII. Buds. 163. Most leaves and flowers proceed from scaly coverings called buds. The scales cover each other closely ; the outer ones being dry and hard, the inner moist and covered with down : they are also furnished with a kind of resin, which prevents the embryo or future plant from being injured by too much mois- ture. Buds have been known to lie for years in water without injury to the infant plant, or branch, within. 164. The sap is the great fountain of vegetable life ; by it? agency, new bud? are yearly formed to replace the leaves and dowers destroyed by the severity of winter. 165. The bud is usually a cone-like protuberance formed b> 163. What do most leaves and flowers proceed from 1 164. By what agency are new buds formed? XG5 Where does me bud usually make its appearance 7 Ch Vin.l BUDS. 45 the swelling of the germ : and as for tnis purpose tne agancy of an additional quantity of sap is needed, we see the bud ap pearmg at the axils of leaves, or the extremities of branches and stems, where there is an accumulation of this fluid. If you plant a slip of Geranium, you will observe that it either spiouts from the axil of a leat, or from knots in the stem which answer the same purpose as the leaf, by slightly interrupting the cir- culation of juices, and thus affording an accumulation of sap necessary for the production of a new shoot. 166. Herbs and shrubs have buds, which usually gi rw and unfold themselves in the same season, and are destitute oi scales ; while the buds of trees are not perfected in less than two seasons, and in some cases they require years for their fuil development. 167. You have, no doubt, observed in the spring, the rapid growth of the leaves and branches of trees ; and perhaps, have also noticed, that as summer advances, the progress of vegeta- tion seems almost to cease, and that new leaves and branches do not come forth as before ; but you may not have known, thai instead of resting in her operations, nature is now busy in pro- viding for the next year; that she is turning the vital energies of the plants to the formation of buds. Those little embryo plants, so nicely wrapped up in downy scales as to be able to bear ihe coldness of the winter, in the ensuing spring will come forth from their snug retreats, and taking the places of the leaves which had withered in autumn, will delight us with new ver- dure and beauty. 168. You may here see a representation of two Fig. 26. scaly buds: one of which appears as if cut vertical- ly, in order to show the germ or embryo, which is enfolded by the scales. 169. The term bud, in common language, ex- tends to the rudiments of all plants, whether with scales or without, which originate upon other living plants. Buds with scaly coverings are chiefly con- fined to the trees of cold countries. In the northern part of the United States, there are few trees which i?an endure the cold weather, without this security. In Swe- den, it is said there is but one shrub* destitute or scaly buds * A species of Rkamnus, which grows under trees in marshy forests. 166. Do herbs and shrubs have buds 1 167. At what period of the year are. buds formed 1 168. What does Fig. 26 represent 7 169. In what countries are the trees mostly furnished with scalv bdsl 46 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. VIII. and this from the peculiarity of its situation, is always protect- ed from the inclemencies of the weather. 170. That there is, in reality, a difference in the nature ol vegetables as well as of animals, is very apparent ; an orange tree will not form scales to protect its buds from cold ; neithei can the most delicate tropical animal resist the rigours of a polar climate. 171. There are cases, however, in which plants, as well as animals change their habits. The horse-chestnut, in India, its native climate, unfolds its leaves to the atmosphere, without receiving any check in their development; in a colder cli- mate, the leaves, in attempting to unfold, are checked in their progress, degenerate into scales, and form buds. x 172. Of the bud, there are three sorts ; the Jlower-bud, leaf- bud, and mixed-bud. 173. 1st. The flower-bud, is of a short round form, and con- tains the rudiments of one or several flowers folded over each other, and surrounded with scales. It is often found at the extremities of small short branches ; this is the kind of bud which is employed in grafting or inoculating. This operation is performed by cutting into the bark of another tree, and placing a bud in the aperture ; the sap of the tree flows to it, and forms around it a substance which connects the bud to itself; in this situation it shoots forth, and becomes a fruit-bearing branch. 174. 2d. The leaf-bud contains the rudiments of several leaves without flowers; it is usually longer and more pointed *han the flower-bud. 175. 3d. The mixed-bud contains both leaves and flowers. fn the peach we have examples of the first two divisions, the leaf and flower-bud being distinct ; in the lilac they are enclosed together in the same bud. 176. You have now seen the manner in which buds com- mence their existence ; and how they gradually unfold them- selves until they become, in their turn, branches covered with leaves and flowers. In considering this subject, you cannot but have been impressed with a^sense of the goodness of thai 170. Does there appear to be any difference in the nature of vege- tables! 171. Do plants ever change their habits! 17*2. How many kinds of buds are there 1 173. Describe the flower-bud. *74. Describe the leaf-bud. 175. Describe the mixed-bud. 176. What reflections arise when considering the progress of veget*- Ch. IX. | LEAVES. great Being", who watches with unceasing care over his vast creation. To observe the progress of life, whether in the v e- getable or animal kingdom, is highly interesting to an inves- tigating mind ; but here the power of man can achieve nothing ; he may plant and water, but God alone giveth the increase. 177. A bud lives ; an infant lives ; both are destined to grow and to pass through physical changes ; but the bud, although active with a principle of life, knows not its own existence ; while the infant becomes conscious of its own pow- ers and faculties, capable of loving those who have con- tributed to its well-being, and of adoring the great Author ot us existence. CHAPTER IX. Of Leaves. 78. The leaf is generally a thin, flat organ, consisting of an expansion of the fibres of the bark, connected by a substance which is called the cellular tissue; the whole is covered with a green coat or skin called the cuticle. 179. Leaves are furnished with pores for exhaling and in- haling gases; and as they present to the air a more extended surface than all other parts of the plant, they are of great utili- ty to the vegetable, by imbibing suitable nourishment, and throwing off such gases as would be useless or injurious. ISO. We have seen how the bud is formed, and by what cu- rious means the principle of vegetable life which it contains is preserved and protected through the cold and dampness of win- ter. In the spring, when the sun h^s turned his course towards the north, re-crossed the equator, and is advancing towards the tropic of Cancer,* the vegetable world in our region quickened by its stimulating warmth, begins to awaken from its dormant state; the leaf-buds expand, and soon bursting their envelopes, the green leaves come forth. * It ir here presumed that the pupil has been instructed in the appjv- rent course of the sun, as explained in the common school geographies. 177. What comparison may be made between a bud and an infant? 179 What is the leaf? 179 Row do leakes inhale and exhale gases 1 ISO When do the leaves usually appear? IS BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. IX 181. Some plants are destitute of leaves ; they are then call- ed Aphyllous, which term signifies wanting leaves. 1S'2. In determining the species of plants, the leaves are much regarded. Specific names are often given from some cir- cumstance of the leaf; for example, the HEPATICA triloba is that species of the Hepatica which has leaves with three divisions, called lobes ; the VIOLA rotundifolia is a species of violet with round leaves. 183. A knowledge of the various appearances presented by leaves, is of great importance ; in order to become acquainted with all their varieties, considerable practice in the analysis ot plants is necessary. Engravings will assist you in understand- ing definitions, but you must consult mature. There are many terms to express the varieties observable in leaves ; we shall here explain some of the most important. 1S4. 1. Seminal leaves are those which come up with the plant when it first appears above the surface of the earth ; as in irden bean: these leaves are the cotyledons, or lobes of the s->ed, which, after nourishing the young plant, decay. . 133. 2. Primordial leaves succeed the seminal ones, and reseiuble them in position, form, and size. The primordial leaf, according to the fanciful idea of a French botanist, is a sketch which nature makes before the perfection of her work. 136. 3. Characteristic leaves are found in the mature state of the plant ; or according to the idea above advanced, nature 'here perfects her design. 187. It is not always, however, that this process with regard to Change of leaves takes place ; as in many cases the proper, or characteristic leaf, is the only one which appears. 188. There are many terms to express the mode of insertion of the leaf; such as radical, growing from the root (radix,) tauiine, growing from the stem (canlis^) &c. 189. To express the position of leaves, we find the terms. te, alternate, &c. 181. Whai are plants destitute of leaves called 1 rt-2. Is the leaf noticed in determining 1 the species of plants 1 83. What is the best way of learning the varieties of leaves 1 Describe the seminal leaf. 135. Describe the primordial leaf. lef>. Describe the characteristic leaf. 187. Does this process with respect to the change of leaves always aikerlace 7 188 What are some of the terms which express the mode of inser* Don of the leaf 1 18^. What terms txpiess the position of the leaf* Ch. 1X.1 LEASES. 49 190. The form of the leaf is expressed by various terms, borrowed from the names ot different objects; as digitate) (from digitus, the finger,) &c. For the explanation of these different terms you must consult the vocabulary as often as you find those you do not understand. We will, however, il- lustrate some of the most common forms of simple leaves Fig. 27. '91. Orbicular, or the round leaf; the Nasturtio'n affords an example of this kind; (see Fig. 27. a ;) this is also peltate^ having its petiole inserted into the centre of the leal, and thus resembling a shield. 192. Rcniforni) (from the Latin ren< the kidney,) or as it is sometimes called kidne y-form ; the Ground-ivy (Glechorm) has a leaf of this kind. (See Fig. 27, b ;) It is crenate, or has a margin with scolloped divisions, ciliate, being fringed with hairs like eyelashes. 193. Cordate, (from the L'atin cor, the heart,) or heart-shaped. Fig. 27, (c,) represents a cordate leaf with an accuminated point ; that is, acute and turned to one side ; the margin is serrated; an example of this kind of leaf may be seen in one species oi the Star-llower, Aster cordifolium. Fig. 28. 190. What terms express the form of the leaf 7 191. Describe an orbicular leaf. 19-2. What is a reniform leaf] 193 What is cordate 7 50 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch.IX. 194. Ovate, obovate, oval ; these are terms derived from the Latin ovum, an egg ; suppose the figure at 28, a, to represent an egg, you observe that one end is broader than the other , now if to this broad end you add a petiole prolonging it into a rnid-rib with some lateral divisions, you have, as at b, the re presentation of an ovate leaf. If the petiole, were placed at the narrowest end, it would be an obvate leaf. An oval leaf (c) is when both the ends are of equal breadth. When the length is much greater than the breadth, the leaf is said to be elipti- cal, as at d. Fig. 29. 195. Lanceolate, this kind of leaf may be seen in the peach tree; it is represented in Fig. 29, a; this has a serrulated or slightly notched margin; at 6, may be seen the cleft stipules. ^r appendages of the leaf. 196. Linear, as the grasses and Indian corn, Fig. 29, c, re- presents a leaf of this kind ; it is sheathing, or encloses the st m by its base, as may be seen at d. 197. Deltoid, from the Greek letter delta A; this kind of lea! is represented at e. Fig. 29; the Lornbardy poplar atfords HB example of the same. 194. Describe the terras ovate, obovate, and oval. 195 Describe a lanceolate leaf. 195. What is a linear leaf 7 197. What is a deltoid leaf? i IX. j 51 198. Sagittate, (from sagitta, an arrow,) or arrow shaped leaf; this is represented at a. Fig. 30; the Sagittaria, or Ar- row-head, an aquatic plant, affords an example of this leaf. 199. Acerose, or needle shaped ; this is represented at 6, Fig, 30. Leaves of this kind are mostly clustered together, as in the pine ; they are subulate, or pointed like a shoemaker's awl ; they are rigid, or stiff, and evergreen. 200. Trees with acerose leaves, are usually natives of moun- tainous or northern regions ; any other kind of leaves would in these situations be overpowered by the weight of snow or the violence of the tempests; but these admit the snow and wind through their interstices ; their many points or edges, presented even to a gentle breeze, produce a deep, solemn murmur in the forest ; and when the storm is abroad, and the tempest high, " The loud wind through the forest wakes, With sound like ocean's roaring, wild and deep, And in yon gloomy pines strange music makes." 198. What is a sagittate leaf 1 199. What is an acerose leaf? 200. What is observed of trees with acerose leaves 1 fi2 BOTANY FOR BEGINNKRS. [Ch. IX The poet Burns, in describing such a scene, says: "this is my best season for devotion : my mind is wrapt up in a kind ot enthusiasm to Him who, in the pompous language of the He- Drew bard, l walks on the wings of the wind. 5 " 201. Lyrate, differs from pinnatifid in having its terminating segment broader and more circular. See Fig. 30, c. 202. Pinnatifid, may be seen at Fig. 30, d ; leaves of th : s form are sometimes finely divided, like the teeth of a comb; they are then said to be pectinate. 203. Palmate, or hand shaped, (Fig. 31, a;) one species of the Passion-flower affords a good example of this kind of leaf. The oblong segments like fingers, arise from a space near the petiole, which may be considered as resembling the palm of the hand. 204. Digitate* or fingered leaf, (Fig. 31, b.) differs from tho palmate leaf in having no space resembling the palm of a hand ; hut several distinct leafets arise immediately from the petiole as may be seen in the Horse-Chestnut. 205. Connate, (Fig. 31, c;) the bases of opposite leaves are united so as to appear one entire leaf. I Fig. 31. ***i ' 201. Describe a lyrate leaf. 202. What is a pinnatilid leaf? 703. What does palmate signify 1 204. What is a digitate leaf? 205. What is a connate leaf? Cli. I.X. I LEASES. 53 206. Lobed; wlren leaves are deeply indented at their mar- gins, they are said to be lobed, and according to the number of these indentures, they are said to be three lobed, four lobed, &c. Fig. 32, a, represents a three lobed leaf, as may be seen in the Hepatica triloba. 207. Sinuate, from the Latin sinus, a bay ; this term is ap- plied to leaves which have their margins indented with deep, roundish divisions, as at b, Fig. 32. Fig. 32. 20S. Emarginate, denotes a slighter indentation than sinu- ate, as at c, Fig. 32. Fig. 33. 209. Stellated, or whorled / (from Stella, a star;) this term is applied both to leaves and flowers, and relates to the manner in which they radiate from the stem, as in Fig. 33. 210. Tubular, there are many varie- ties of this kind ; the leaf of the onion h a complete tube ; the Saracenia, or side- saddle flower, has the sides of its leaf united, forming a cup which is found filled with liquid, supposed to be a secre- tion from the vessels of the plant. In some countries of the torrid zone is the 206. What does lobed signify? 207. What is simian! 208. What is emarginate 7 209. What does stellated signify 1 210. What leaves are called tubular 1 54 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. \ r tl. IX. wild pine, Tillandsia, the leaves of which are hollowed out at ihcir base, so as to be capable of containing more than a pint of liquid. A traveller says, "by making an incision into the base af this leaf, and collecting the water in our hats, we could ob- tain a sufficient supply for the relief of the most intense thirst." The fluid is not a secretion from the plant, but is deposited du- ring the rainy season. Pis. 34. 211. The Pitcher-plant, (Nepenthes distill atoria,) Fig. 34, affords a most singular tubular receptacle in an appendage to its lanceolate leaf; beyond the apex of the leaf a, the mid-rib extends in the form of a tendril ; at the extremity of this tendril is the cylindrical cup or pitcher 6, about six inches in length, and one and a half in diameter; it is furnished with a lid, c. This is usually found filled with pure water, supposed to be a secretion from the plant. Insects which creep into this cup are drowned in the liquid, except a small species of shrimp, which lives by feeding on the others. The Pitcher-plant is a native of Ceylon, where it is called monkey-cup, on account of its be- ing frequented by these animals for the purpose of quenching their thirst. Compound Leaves. 212. When several leafets grow on o-ne petiole, the whole i& termed a compound leaj] as in the Rose. Fig. 35. Ch. IX.] LEAVES. 55 213. Pinnate ; at Fig. 35, a, represents the petiole or -prin- cipal leaf stalk; from this, spring out other divisions, each bear- ing a lea/el; 6, 6, represent the stipules or appendages; the whole taken together forms one compound pinnate leaf. Tiie term pinnate is from the Latin pinna, a wing or pinion. 2J4. Binate; when two leafets only spring from the periele, as in Fig. 35, c. Fig. 36. 215. Ternate ; when three leafets arise from the petiole, j\s Fig. 36, a. 216. Bi-ternate is a second division of threes, as Fig. 36, b. U7. Tri-ternate is a third 'division of threes, as Fig. 36, c. Fig. 37 218. Decompound, is when a pinnate leaf is again dindrd. cr has its leaves twice compound, as Fig. 37, a. At 6, is a re- presentation of thrice compound leaves. 219. Leaves vary in size, from the small leaves of some ol 213. What does pinnate signify 1 214. What is binate I 215. When is a leaf said io be ternatel 2 lt>. When bi-ternate 1 217. When tri-ternatel 218. When is a leaf said to be decompound? 2li). What is remarked of leaves with ^aspect to sizel 66 BOTANY FOR BEGINIVEBB. [Oh IX. the forest trees of our climate, to the spreading palms and ba nanas of the torrid zone. As we approach the torrid zone, the leaves increase in magnitude ; we can however scarcely credit the report of travellers, who say, that the Talipot tree, in the island of Ceylon, produces leaves of such size, that twenty per sons may be sheltered by one single leaf. Although thi? ac- count may be exaggerated, there is no doubt of the fact, that the leaves of the torrid zone are of a wonderful size ; and that whole families often dwell under the branches of these trees. Here we see the care of an ever kind Providence, which, in countries parched the greater part of the year by a vertical sun, has formed such refreshing shelters. 220. Mungo Park, in his travels in Africa, remarks upon the many important uses of palm leaves ; serving as coverings to cottages, as baskets for holding fruit, and umbrellas for defence against ra n or sun. These leaves are a good substitute for pa- per, and were so used by the eastern nations. Many suppose that the scriptures of the Old Testament were originally com- mitted to palm leaves. 221 The magnitude of leaves often bears no proportion to the size of the plants to which' they belong. The Oak, and other forest trees, bear leaves, which appear y,ery diminutivo when compared with the Cabbage, or Burdock/ 222. Leaves, with respect to duration, are, **" Caducous, or such as fall before the end of summer ; Dcci- luous, falling at the commencement of winter ; this is the case with most vegetables, as far as 30 or 40 north of th* equator; Persistent, or permanent, remaining on the troi,s amidst changes of temperature, as the leaves of the Pine and Box ; Evergreen, preserving their greenness through the year, as the Fir-tree and Pine, and generally all cone-bearing and re- sinous trees; these renew their leaves annually, but the young leaves appearing before the old ones decay, the plant is always green. 223. In our climate the leaves are mostly deciduous, return ing in autumn to their original dust, and enriching the soil from which they had derived their nourishment. In the re- gions, of the torrid zone, the leaves are mostly persistent and evergreen ; they seldom fade or decay in less time than si* years ; but these same trees, removed to our climate, some 220. What is said of the uses of palm leaves 1 221. Does the size of the leaf correspond to the size of the plant"? 222. How are the leaves divided with respect to duration 1 223. What is observed of the leaves of our climate with respect to Juration and what is said of the leuves oi the *orrid zone 1 Ch. IX. | LEAVES OT times become animal plants, losing their foliage every year. The Passion-flower is a perennial evergreen in southern cli- mates, though annual in ours 224. Leaves have not that Drilliancy of colour which is seen m the corolla or blossom; but the beauty of the corolla, like most other external beauty, has only a transient existence ; while the less showy leaf remains fresh and verdant, after the flower has withered away. 225. The substance 01 leaves is so constituted as to absorh the other rays of light, and reflect the green ray ; this colour is. at' all others, best adapted to the extreme sensibility of our or- gans of sight. Thus, in evident accommodation to our sense of vision, the ordinary dress of nature is of the only colour up- on which our eyes can, for any length of time, rest without pain. 226. But although green is almost the only colour which leaves reflect, its variety of shades is almost innumerable. " No tree in all the grove but has *ts charms, Though each its hw peculiar; paler some, And of a mannish gray ; the willow such, And poplar, that with silver lines his leaf; And ash far stretching his umbrageous arm; Of deeper green the elm ; and deeper still, Lord of the woods, the long surviving oak."* The contrast between their shades, in forests, where different families of trees are grouped together, has a fine effect, when observed at such a distance, as ^o give a view of the whole, as forming one mass. CHAPTER X. Leaves. Appendages. 227. LEAVES perform a very important office, in sheltering and protecting the flowers and fruit. The fact of their inhal- ing or absorbing air, is thought to have been proved, by placing a plant under a bell glass exhausted of air, permitting the leaves only to receive the influence of air ;f the plant remained * Cowper. t Natural philosophy will inform you of the manner in whicn a glass vessel may be thus exhaustei by means of che air-pump. 224. What is observed of leaves with respect to brilliancy of colour 1 225. "What coloured ray do leaves reflect 1 2*3G. What is said of the different shades of green which maj be seen in leaves ] 227 What are some of ne offices of leaves 1 JS BOTANY FOH BEGINNERS. [Ch. X. th) tfty in this situation for a length of time ; but as soon as trie whole plant was placed under the receiver, it withered and died. 228. The upper surface of leaves is usually of a deeper green, and supposed to perform a more important part in respiratioiij than the under surface. The upper surface repels moisture, you may perceive, by examining a cabbage leaf after a showei c heavy dew, that the moisture is collected in drops, but hag n- appearance of being absorbed by the leaf. It has been found ti at the leaves of plants, laid with their upper surface upon wa- tt r, wither almost as soon as if exposed to the air, although the leaves of the same plants, placed with their under surfaces up- on water, retain their freshness for some days. 229. But few among the vegetable tribes are destitute either of leaves, or green stems, which answer as a substitute. The MonotropO) or Indian pipe, is of a pure white, and looks as if made of wax. Mushrooms are also destitute of any green herbage. It is not known in what manner the deficiency of leaves is made up to these vegetables. 230. The period in which any species of plant unfolds its leaves, is termed Frondescence. Linnaeus paid much atten- tion to this subject ; he stated as the result of his investigations, that the opening of the leaf-buds of the Birch tree, (Betula,) was the most proper time for the sowing of barley. The Indians oi our country had an opinion, that the best time for planting In- dian corn, was when the leaves of the white oak first made their appearance ; or, according to their expression, are of the size of a squirrel's ears. 231. One of the most remarkable phenomena of leaves, is their irritability, or power of contraction, upon coming in con- tact with other substances. Compound leaves possess this property in the greatest degree ; as the foieign sensitive plant, and the American sensitive plant: these, if the hand is brought near them, seem agitated as if with fear; but as they are desti- tute of intelligence, we must attribute this phenomenon to some physical cause, perhaps the warmth of the hand, which produces the contractions and dilatations of the leaves. 232. The effect of tight upon leaves is very apparent, plants being almost uniformly found to present their upper surfaces 228. In what respects do the upper and under surfaces of leave* d fieri 2*29. What plants a r e destitute of leaves? 230. What is meant by the term Fronde.scencel 231. What is said of the irritability ofleavesl 23'2 What if said of the effect oJ light upon leaves? Ch. X. | LEAVES. APPENDAGES. 59 to the side on which the greatest quantity of light is to be found. It has already been observed, that plants throw off oxy- gen gas ; but for this purpose they require the agency of light. 233. Carbonic acid gas is a necessary food of plants ; this consists of carbon and oxygen, and is decomposed by the agency of light; the carbon becomes incorporated with the vegetable, 'orming the basis of its substance, while the oxygen is exhaled r thrown off into the atmosphere. 234. Many plants close their leaves at a certain period of the Jay, and open them at another ; almost every garden contains some plants, in which this phenomenon may be observed ; it is particularly remarkable in the sensitive plant, and the tamarind tree. The folding up of leaves at particular periods, has been termed the sleep of plants; this may seem a singular term to apply to plants ; but a celebrated botanist remarks, " this folding up of the leaves may be as useful to the vegetable constitution, as real sleep is to the animal." 235. Linnaeus was led to observe the appearance of plants in the night, from the following circumstance, which occurred in raising the Lotus plant ; he found one morning some very thrifty tlowers, but at night they had disappeared; this excited his at* tendon, and he began to watch the plants through the night, in order to observe the period of their unfolding. He was thus led to investigate the appearance of other plants in the night, and to observe their different manner of sleep. He found that some folded their leaves together, some threw them back upon iheir stems, or exhibited other curious appearances. This phe- nomenon has been attributed to the absence of light. 236. The following experiment was once made by a botanist: !ie placed the sensitive plant in a dark cave at midnight, and then lighted up the cave with lamps; the leaves which were he~ fore folded up suddenly expanded, and when on the following Jay the lights were extinguished, the leaves again closed. 237. The period at which the leaves fall off is termed the Defoliation* of the plant. About the middle of Autumn, the leaves of all annual, and of many perennial plants, begin to ose their vigour, change their colour, and at length fall from heir stems. * From de, signifying to deprive of, and/0Jww, l 233. What is a necessary food of plants ? 234. What is meant by the sleep of plants 1 235. How was Linnaeus led to observe the appearance of plani* in me night? 236. What experiment was once made with the sensitive plant? 237. What is the deioiiarion of plants'? 60 fiUTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. X. 238. The " fall of the leaf" may be referred to two causes, the death of the leaf) and the vital action of the parts to which it is attached. If a whole tree is killed by lightning, or anv sudden cause, the leaves will adhere to the dead brancnes, be cause the latter have not the energy to cast them off. 239. The richness and variety of colouring exhibited about he end of autumn, by American groves and forests, is splendid beyond the power of the painter to imitate. Yellow, red, arid brown, are the most common colours of the dying leaf; but these colours vary from the brightest scarlet, and the deepest crimson, to different shades of yellow, from the deep orange *jv Jie pale straw colour. Appendages to Plants. a set hese \\ Fig. 38. 240. Plants have a set of organs called by the general name of appendages. These we shall now describe. 241. Stipules are membranous or leafy scales, usually in pairs, at, or near the base of the leaf or petiole. They are various in their forms and situations, arc found in most plants* but are sometimes wanting. In the garden violet, Viola tricolor, (Fig. 38, a, a,) the stipules are of that form called lyrate pinnatijid, while the true leaf (/) is oblong and crenate. The most natural situation of the stipules is in pairs, one on 'each side of the base of the footstal!;, as in the sweet pea ; some stipules fall oif almost as soon as the leaves are expanded, but in general, they remain as lorn* as the leaves. 242. Prickles, arise from the bark ; they are sometimes straight, sometimes hooked, and sometimes iorked. They are usually found upon the stem, as in the Rose ; but in some cases they cover the petiole, as in the Raspberry 5 in others, they are 238. To what may the fall of the leaf be referred? 23U. What is said of the appearance of American foreits in the A v tumn? 240. What organs have plan s besides those already named 1 241. Describe stipules. 242. Describe prickles. Oil. X.] APPENDAGES TO PLANTS. fli found upon the leaf or the calyx, and in some instances upon the berry j as in the Gooseberry. Pig. 39. a, 243. Thorns, seem to be a kind of short pointed stem, easily distinguished from prickles, as they grow from the woody part of the plant, while the prickle proceeds only from the bark. On stripping the bark from a rose-bush, the prickles Will come away with it. but let the same experiment be made with a thorn busli, and although the bark may be sepal ated, the thorn will still re- main projecting from the wood. 244. In this drawing (Fig. 39) you will observe the thorn (a) to remain on the stem, while the bark (b) has bee'n peeled off. In the prickle (c) the whole appears separated from the plant Thorns in some plants have been known to disappear by culti- vation. The great Linnaeus imagined that the trees wefo -di- vested of their natural ferocity and became tame. A more ra- tional opinion is given by another botanist., viz.: that thorns are in reality buds, which a more favourable f-Usiation converts into luxuriant branches. But in some cases they do nut disappeai even under circumstances favourable to vegetation. Thorns have been compared to the horns of animals. 245. Glands are roundish, minute appendages, sometimes called tumours or swellings; they contain a liquid secretion, which is supposed to give -to many plants their fragrance. They are sometimes attached to the base of the leaf, sometimes fhey occur in the substance of leaves ; as in the Lemon and Myrtle, causing them to appear dotted when held to the li^ht. They are found on the petioles of many plants, and between ilie teeth or notches of many others. 246. Stings are hair-like substances, causing pain by an acrid liquor, which is discharged upon tneir being compressed; they are hollow, slender, and pointed, as in the Nettle. 247. Scales are substances in some respects resembling the 243. What are thorns? 244. What does Fig. 39 represent! 245. What are glands'? 240. What are stints ? 847. What are scale*? Fig. 40. 42 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. ^Ch. X coarse scales of a fish; they are often green, sometimes colour- ed, and are found upon all parts of vegetables, upon the roots of bulbous plants, and upon the stems and branches of other plants. They are imbricated upon the calyxes of most of the compound flowers. You have seen in buds, how important the scales are to protect the embryo plant during the winter. Scales surround the flowers of grasses, under the name of glumes. They envelope and sustain the stamens and fruit of the pine, oak, chestnut, &t. . N 248. Tendrils, or claspers, are threadlike, or filiform appendages, by which weak stems attach themselves to other bodies for sup- port ; they usually rise from the branches, in some cases from the leaf, and rarely from I the leaf-stalk or flower-stalk. You have here the representation, Fig. 40, of a tendril. Tendrils are very important and characteris- tic appendages to many plants. In the Trumpet flower and Ivy, the tendrils serve for roots, planting themselves into the bark of trees, or in the walls of buildings. In the Cucumber and some other plants, f endril? serve both for sustenance and shade. M;niy , of the papilionaceous, or Pea blossom plants, ^have twining tendrils, which wind to the right and back again. Some plants creep by their tendrils to a very great height, even tt the tops of the loftiest trees ; and seem to cease ascending only because they can find nothing higher to climb upon. One of our most beautiful climbing plants is the CLEMA- TIS 'cfrginica, or Virgin's bower, which has flowers of a brilliant whiteness ; in autumn, its pericarps, with the long pistils remaining upon them,'Took like festoons of rich, yellowish fringe. 249. Pubescence includes all down, hairs, woolliness, or silkiness of plants. The pubescence of plants varies in differ ent soils, and with different modes of cultivation. The species in some genera of plants are distinguished by the direction o! the hairs. A microscope is sometimes necessary in determining with precision the existence and direction of the pubescence. ft has been suggested that these appendages may be given to 248. What are tendrils? 249. Wh;.t is included under the term pubescence! 'Jh.Xl.J APPENDAGES TO PLANTS. 83 p. ants for similar purposes as the fur, hair, and bristles of ani- mals, viz. : to defend them from cold and other injuries. Fig 41. 250. TJie Bract is a leaf among or near the tiowers, different from the leaves of the plant. In this branch, (Fig. 41,) you observe the difference between the real leaves (b b) and the bract (a); the former being cordate and crenate, the latter lanceolate and entire. 251. In some plants, as in several species of the Sage, the transition from leaves to bracts is so gradual, as to render it difficult to distinguish be tween them, and a considerable part of the foliage is composed of bracts. In other plants, as the Crown impe- rial, the stem is terminated by a num- ber of large and conspicuous bracts. The appendages are sometimes mis- taken for the calyx. 252. We have now, in regular or- der, considered the first of the two classes of vegetable organs, viz.: such as tend to the support and growth of the plant, including root, stem, leaf. and appendages ; we are next to en- te upon the description of a class of organs whose chief use appears to bt that of bringing forward the fruit CHAPTER XL Different parts of the Flower. The Calyx. 253. You are no doubt pleased to have arrived at the blo som, that part of the plant which is the ornament of the ve^e labie kingdom. Flowers are delightful to every lover of na- 250. What is the bract? 251. Is it always easy to distinguish bracts from leaves ? 2;VJ. What organs of the plant have we now considered ? ?.'>H. What jart of the plant jsthe ornameut of the vegeiab <? M BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS | Ch. XI. line ; a bouquet, or even the simplest blossom, presented by a 'riend, interests the heart. How many pleasant thoughts are awakened by the fresh and perfumed incense which is offered by flowers ! their odour has been poetically termed the language *>y which they hold communion with our minds. 2f 4. Although every part of a plant offers an interesting suh- jec' .or study, the beauty of the blossom seems by association to heighten the pleasure of scientific research. Flowers are indeed lovely, but like youthful beauty, they are fading and transit. nt : they are, however, destined for a higher object than a short-lived admiration ; for to them is assigned the important office of pro- ducing and nourishing the fruit. May those also who study *his book, so improve the bloom of life, that when youth and beauty shall have faded away, their minds may exhibit thai fruit, which it is the important business of the season of yoiu*i to nurture and mature. 2o5. The parts of the flower, or the organs of fructification, ar^ the following: Calyx, Pericarp, Corolla, Seed, Stamen, Receptacle Pistil, Calyx. 256. The Calyx is frequently wanting, as in the Tulip. The Corolla is also wanting in many plants, as in most of the forest trees, which to a careless observer, may seem to produce no flower, but the presence of a stamen and pistil, is in botany considered as constituting a perfect flower. These two organs are essential to the perfection of the fruit. 257. When a flower is destitute, either of stamens or pistils, it is termed imperfect. A flower is said to be incomplete when any of the seven organs of fructification are wanting. 258. The word Calyx is derived from the Greek, and literally signifies a cup ; it is the cover of the corolla, and usually green ; when not green, it is said to be coloured. / 254. Is there any other office assigned to flowers than thae of pleasing the senses 7 255. Repeat the names of the parts of the flower. 256. What parts of the flower may be wanting, and what parts are essential 1 257. What is the difference betwp^-an imperfect and an incom- plete flower 1 25H What does the worn calvx signify, and \\Jiat is the usual roiuur of the ealvx 7 Oh. XI. J IS* THE CALYX. 65 259. The leaves or parts of the calyx are called sepaZs : some- times the calyx consists of one leaf or sepal, it is then called monoaepthu9 ; when it consists of several distinct leaves, it is called polysepalous ; when one calyx is surrounded by another, it is double; when one calyx surrounds many plants, it is common. 260. The calyx is said to be superior when it is situated on fhe summit of the germ, as in the apple ; it is inferior when situated below the germ, as in the pink. In many plants the ^alyx is neither superior nor inferior, but is situated around the germ. 261. When the calyx drops off before the flower fully ex- pands, it is called caducous ; the petals of the poppy are, at first, enclosed in a calyx of two large green sepals, but these fall off before the flower is full blown. When the calyx with- ers and drops off with the corolla, it is called deciduous. In many plants it remains until the fruit is matured ; it h then called persistent. In a pea pod, for example, the calyx jnay be seen as perfect as it was in the blossom. In an apple ar pear the dried leaves of the calyx may be seen on the tops >f the fruit ; this shows that the calyx was superior. 262. According to the divisions of Linnreus, there ar* ".even kinds of calyxes ; viz. : Perianth, Glume, Involucrum, Calyptra t Ament, Volva. Spatha y 263. Perianth. This term is derived from the two '*vrfc words peri, around, and anthos, flower. This is the only nu! calyx or cup, as the term cup does not properly apply to ni* other kinds of calyxes. A good example of the perianth C^!>'A is presented in the Rose, where it is ?/rn-form, with divisions at the top resembling small leaves. In the Pink, the periaoth is long and tubular, having the border dentate or toothed. The Hollyhock, Hibiscus, and many other plants, have a double pe- rianth. 259. What is a monosepalous calyx? polysepalous? double? Common ? x6Q. What terms express the various positions cf the cal^x with aspect to the germ ? 261. What terms eipress the differer.t degrees cf duration of the calyx ? 2G2. What are the different kinds cf calyxes ] 263. Describe the perianth, 6* CC ROTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Oh. XL 264. Inrnhicrum. This term is derived from the Latin, in ro/ro, to wrap up; this kind of calyx is usually found at the Vase of an umbel, as in the Carrot. It is said to be universal when it belongs equally to the whole of an aggregate flower and partial when it encloses one floret, which, with others, con stitutes a compound or aggregate flower. The term involucrurn is also applied to the membranous covering in the fructification of ferns. 265. Ament, or catkin, is a kind of calyx, by some classed as a mode of inflorescence ; it consists of many chaffy scales, ranged along a thread-like stalk or receptacle ; each scale pro- tects one or more of the stamens or pistils, the whole forming one aggregate flower. The Ament is common in forest trees; as in the Oak and Chestnut, and is also found in the Willow and Poplar. In some trees the staminate flowers are enclosed in an ament, and the pistillate in a perianth. 266. Spatlia signifies a sheath. It is that kind of calyx which first encloses the flower, and when it expands, bursts lengthwise, and often appears at some distance below it. The Wild-turnip, or ARUM, Iurnishes an example of this kind of ca- lyx, enclosing a kind of inflorescence called a spadix. From the peculiar appearance of the spadix, as it stands up sur- rounded by the spatha, it is sometimes called Jack in the pul- pit. (See Fig. 41, a.) The spatha is common in many ot our cultivated exotics, as in the Daffodil, where it appears brownish and withered af- ter the full expansion of the flower. You see here a re- presentation, (Fig. 41, b), of the spatha of the Arum, and of the Narcissus (c). In the Egyptian Lily, the spatha is white and perma- nent, and the stamens and pistils grow separately up- on the spadix. Palms have a spadix which is branched, and often bears a great quantity of fruit. Fig. 41. 264, What is an involucrum? 365. What is an ament 7 866. What is a Ch. XI.] THE CALYX. 6* 267. Glume is from the Latin word sluwa, a husk. This . the calyx of the grasses, and grass-like plants. In the Oat Fig. 42. ,<! Wheat it forms the chaff. In the Oat, (Fig. 42,) the flume calyx is composed of two pieces or valves; in some kinds of grain, of but one, in others, of more than two valve-?. To the glume belongs the awn or beard. The corolla of grasse? is husky, like tke calyx, and is sometimes considered as a part of it. 268. Calyptra. This term is derived from the Greek, and signifies a vail. It is the cap, or hood, of pistillate mosses, re sembling in form and position the extinguisher of a candle. 269. Fo/<i, or curtain, the ring or wrapper of the Fungus, or Mushroom plants. It first encloses the head of the Fungus, afterwards bursts and contracts, remaining on the stems or at the root. (See Fig. 23.) 270. The calyx is of use in protecting the other parts of the fiower, before tney expand, and afterwards supporting them, by keeping all in their proper position. Pinks having petals with long and slender feet, which would* drop or break without sup- port, have a calyx. Tulips having firm petals, and each one resting upon a broad strong basis, are able to support tliem- wlves, and they have no calyx. ^ 267. What is the glume 1 ?G8. What is the calypatral 269. What is the volva 1 St,d}. Of what use. is the caJyx7 68 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. FCh.XIL / CHAPTER XII Corolla. Nectary. 271. THE term corolla, or corol, is derived from the Latin, ?0ro'/a, a little crown or chaplet. As the calyx is formed by a continuation of the fibres of the outer bark, the corolla is a cun rinuation of the cellular integument, or inner coat of the same. The texture of the corolla is delicate, soft, watery, and coloured. The cuticle, or outward covering, of the corolla is of an extreme- ly fine texture. The rich and variegated colours of flowers, are owing to the delicate organization of the corolla; and to this cause, its transient duration may also be attributed. 272. The corolla exhibits every variety of colour, except ' black ; florists sometimes present us with what they term black roses, and we see some other flowers which approach this colou), yet none are perfectly black ; the darkest being but a very deep shade of purple. Corollas are white, yellow, blue, violet, &c.; in some, different colours are delicately shaded and blended ; in others, they meet abruptly, without any intermediate tint. 27o. The corolla, before blossoming, is folded in the calyx, as the leaves are within the scales of the leaf-bud, and the whole is then called the flower-bud. 274. In most cases, the calyx and corolla are so distinctly marked, that it is perfectly easy to distinguish them. The colour usually constitutes a very striking mark of difference ;. the calyx being ordinarily green, and the corolla of a more lively hue. but the colour is not always a criterion. In some cases, the calyx is beautifully coloured. 275. Each simple part, of which the corolla is composed, is called a petal. A flower with petals is said to be petalou# ; without petals, apetalous. -The petals are definite, when theii number is not more than twenty ; indefinite when they exceed that number. 276. If the corolla is formed of one single piece, or petal, i* is monopetalous ; if of more than one, it is puiivetalous. You 271. What is the corolla? 272. What is observed of the various colours of the corolla 7 273. Where is the corolla before blossoming? 274. How are the calyx and corolla distinguished 275. Wl-at is said of the divisions of the corolla, and the term* which express them 1 * S" 7 ^. What is meant by the terms monopetalous and poiypetalousl Oh. XH.J . TE COROLLA. 69 may sometimes find a difficulty in determining whether thr co- rolla is in one piece or more; tor monopetaious flowers often have deep divisions, extending almost to the base of the corolla; but i corolla mu^t be divided at the base, or be in separate pieces, n order to he considered as poiypelalous. It is a good rule to consider the parts into which a corolla naturally falls, as so many petals 277. Munopetalous coroUas (see Fig. 44, ) consists of the tube, throat, and limb. The tube, is the lower part, having more or less the form of a tunnel. The throat is the entrance Into the tube; it is either open, or closed by scales or hairs. The Unit* is the upper border of the -corolla. Fig. 43. 278. Pvlypetalous corollas consist of several petals. Each petal consists ot two parts, the lamina and claw. 279. The lamina, (Fig. 43, a) is the upper and usually thinner part of the pt- tal ; its margin is sometimes entire, of without di visions, as in the Rose ; some- times notched, or crenate^as in the Pink. The lamina corresponds to the limb of monopetalous corollas. 280. The claw (Fig. 43, b.) is theiower part of the petal, and inserted upon f he receptacle ; it is sometimes very short as in the Rose; in the Pink, as seen at Fi. 43, it is long and slender. The claw is analogous to the tube of monopetalous corollas. 281. The corolla is superior when it is i*isertd above the germ ; inferior, when below. It is regular when each divi- Fion corresponds to ihe other. The Rose and Pink have regulai corollas. When die parts do not correspond with each, other, a corolla -is irregular , as in the Pea and Violet. Different forms of Monopetalous Corollas. Monopetalous corollas may, according to their forms, be di- vided as folio w-s; 277. Wbutare the parts of a monopeta!ous corolla? 278. What are the parts of a polypeialous corolla? 279. What is the lamina 1 2HO. What is the claw 1 981. What is meant by the terras inferior and superior, ai irfggujar, wbo applied to ih-ecor&lla t 70 Fig. 44. BOTANY FOR BEGINNEP- [Ufa. Jill 282. Bell-form, nere tho tube is noi rery distinct, as the corolla gradually spreads from the base ; as in the blue- bell, hare-bell, &c. At Fig. 44, is the representation, of a bell-form corolla ; it is monopetalous ; the limb (a) is five parted; calyx (b) five parted; eorclla superior, or above the gerni. 283. Funnel-form having a tubular base, a ad a border opening in the form of a funnel, as the morn- ing-glory. (Fig. 45.) Fig. 46. 284. Wheel-form having a short bordt fc without ary tube, or with a very short one (Fig. 46.) 282. Describe the bell-form corolla. 283. Describe the funnel-form corolla. 284. What is meant bv wheel-foria i THE COROLl-4. 71 285. Labiate, (from labia, lips,) consists of two parts, resembling the lips of a horse, or other animal. Labiate corollas are said to be personate* having the throat closed, or ring-entj with the throat open. You have here a labiate corolla of the ringent kind. (Fig 47.) Different forms of Polypetalous Corollas. Fig. 48. 286. Cruciform (from crux, a cross) con- sisting of four petals of equal size, spread-out \in the form of a cross as the Radish, Cab- L-bage, &u. (Fig. 48.) 287. CaryoJiyUous, having five single p<v tuis, each terminating in a long claw, enclosed IP. a tubular calyx, as the Pink, (Fig. 49.) Prom personnx, a mask. ^ * t From ringer, to grin or gape. \f 285. What is a labiate :orolla, and what is meant personate and ringent 1 :2%. Describe the cruciform corolla, 287. Describe the caryopl ylious corolla, frn 72 110*4*7 [Ch. XII 288. Liliaceous, a coiolla with six petals, spreading from the ba^se, so as to exhibit a bell-form appearance, as in 1,1* Tulip and Lily. 289. Rosaceous, & corolla formed of roundish spreading petals* without elaws, or with very short ones, as the Rose and" Apple. . 50. 5><JO. Papilionaceous, a ttuvvur with a banner, two wings, and a keel ; the name is derived from t he- word papilio, a butterfly, on ac- count of a supposed resemblance to this insect, as in the Pea bios \sorn, (Fig. 50.) ' 291. When a corolla is of no determinate form, it is said to bf anomalous. Odour of Flowers. 292. The odour of flowers has its origin in the volatile oils, elaborated by the corolla. 293. Temperature renders the odours of flowers more or less sensible; if the heat is powerful, it dissipates the volatile oils more rapidly than they are renewed ; if the heat is very feeble, :he volatile oils remain concentrated in the little cells where Jiey were elaborated ; in both cases the flowers appear to have but little odour. But if the heat is neither too great nor too little the volatile oils exhale without being dissipated, forming a per fumed atmosphere around the flowers. 294. You see now the reason, that when you walk in a g*r den in the morning, or towards evening, the iiowers seem mor* fragrant than in the middle of the day. The air being also more damp causes an increase of fragrance at those limes, as thfl moisture, by penetrating the delicate tissue of she corollas, ex* pel* the volatile oils. SSH. What is a liliaceous corolla 1 2K 1 . What is a rosaceous corolla! 200. What is a papilionaceous corolla 7 2i)l. When is a corolla said to be anomalous 1 292. What causes the odour of flowers 7 293. What effect has temperature upon the odour of flowers 1 294. Why do flowers appear peculiarly fragrant in the rooming nd eveubg ? Ch. XII.] THE COROLLA. 73 Uses of the Corolla. 295. One important office of the corolla is to secure tTie sta- aiens and pistils from all external injury, and to favour their development. After the germ has become fertilized by the in- fluence of the pollen, the corolla fades away, and either falls off, or remains withered upon the stalk ; the juices which nourished it then go to the germ, to assist in its growth, and enable it to be- come a perfect fruit. Another use of the corolla seems to be to furnish a resting-place for insects in search of honey. 296. The corolla is supposed by Darwin, an English botanist, to answer the same purpose to the stamens and pistils, as the lungs in the -animal system; each petal being furnished with an artery which conveys the vegetable blood to its extremities, ex- posing it to the light and air. This vegetable blood, according to this theory, is then collected and returned in correspondent veins, for the sustenance of the anthers and stigmas, and for the purpose of secreting honey. 297. After all our inquiries into the uses of the corolla, we are obliged to acknowledge that it appears not as important in the economy of vegetation, as many less showy organs. It seems chiefly designed to beautify and enliven creation by the variety and elegance of its forms, the brilliancy of its colour- ing, and the sweetness of its perfume. Nectary. 29S. In many flowers there is an or^an called the nectary, which secretes a peculiar lluid, the honey of the plant ; this tluid constitutes the principal food of bees, and various othi species of insects. 299. The nectary seems not to be confined to any r particulai part of the flower. Sometimes it is a mere cavity, as in the lily 295. What are some of the uses of the corolla 1 296. "What was Darwin's opinion of the use of the corolla 7 297. For what does the corolla seem chiefly designed? 298. What is the use of the nectary 7 299. Is tke nectary confined to any particular part of the flower 1 7 HOTAKY FOR BKGFNNEKo. [Ch. -X.I11 Fig. 51. 300. The Crown imperial, Frit ill aria Imperialis^ exhibits in the ciaw of each of its petals, a cavity called a nectary, each one is always filled with a sweet liquid. If these drops are removed, others immediately take their place. You have here a representation (Fig. 51,) of this flower ; its petals appear as if cut off, in order to show the six nectariferous glands at the base of each. 201. In the Ranunculus, the nectary is a production of the corolla, in the form of a scale : in the violet a process of the .ame, in the form of a horn or spur. In the Columbine, the nectary is a separate organ from the petals in the form of a horn. In the Monks-hood, one of the petals, being concave ; conceah the nectaries ; they are therefore said to be hooded. CHAPTER XIIL Stamens and Pistils. 302. The stamens and pistils in most plants are enclosed oy the same envelope, or stand upon the same receptacle ; in the class Monoecia they are on different tiowers which spring from one common root; ami in Dicecia, they are on different flowers springing from different roots. Yet, however distant the sta- mens and pistils may be, nature has provided ways by which the pollen from the staminate flowers is conveyed to the pistil- late, to assist in perfecting the seed. That you may be better understand this curious process, and the organs by means ol which it is carried on, we will examine each one separately. Stamens. 303. Stamens are thread-like parts, exterior as to the pistil, aivl interior as to the corolla. They exhibit a variety of posi tions, some being inserted upon the pistil, seme below it, tinJ others around it. 300. What is said of the nectaries of the Crown imperial 1 301. What are some of the other forms in which nectaries appear? 302. Are the stamens and pistils always upon the same flowers 1 303. How are stamens situated with respect to the pistil and corolla? ?:il. XIII. | STAMENS 75 304. When a corolla is monopetalous, the mniber of sta- nens is usually either equal or double, or kalf that of the di- visions of the corolla; the stamens in such Mowers never exceed twenty. 305. In polypetalous corollas, the number of stamens may be much greater. When the number of stamens equals the divisions of the corolla, they usually alternate with these divi- sions of the corolla, half of the stamens are usually placed in the intervals of the divisions, and the remaining half before each lobe of the corolla, corresponding to the intervals in the divi- sions of the calyx. If any of the stamens are barren or with- out anthers, they are those which are placed before the lobei of the corolla. 30G. In commencing the analysis of flowers according to the Linnaean system, you learned that the number of stamens, theii position, rtlali've length, and connexion, taken either singly or in combination, afford certain and distinctive marks for purposes of classification. 307. In the first place we find the stamens differing in nnm her, in different plants ; some plants have but one, some two, and so till we come to ten ; when they have more than ten sta- mens, we find the number in the same plant varies, and there- fore we cannot depend on the circumstance of number for further classification. 308. Secondly, We regard the position, and consider whether the st imens are inserted upon the calyx or the receptacle, thus furnishing an eleventh and a twelfth class. 309. Thirdly, inequality in the Length of stamens, consider- ed with respect to number, furnishes us with a thirteenth and fourteenth class. 310. Fourthly, the connexion or union of stamens gives us the fifteenth class, where the filaments of the stamens are united in one set ; the sixteenth class where they are in two sets; the seventeeth where the anthers of the stamens are united. 311. Fifthly, the three remaining classes of phenogamous plants are distinguished by the position of the stamens with respect to th-e pistils. In the eighteenth class the stamens 304. What is said of the stamen of monopetalous corollas 1 305. What is said of the stamens of polypetalous corollas'? 306. What did you learn respecting stamens, in commencing the analysis of flowers'? 307. What is the first thing in which we find stamens to differ 7 308. What do we regard secondly with respect to the stamens ? 309. What do we observe thirdly with respect to the stamens 1 310. What do you observe fourthly as to the stamens 1 311. What do we observe fifthly with respect to the stamen* ? 76 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [ Ch. XII) stand on the pistil ; in the nineteenth, the stamens and pistil are un separate flowers on the same plant ; in the twentieth they are on separate plants. L-astly, in Cryptogamous plants, they are invisible. 312. We will now proceed to the parts of the stamen ; these are two. The Jilament and anther. The filament, is st> called from fihtm, a thread. Filaments vary in their form; some are long and slender, as in the pink ; others are short and thick, as in the tulip. They are usually smooth, but in the Mul- lein they are bearded, in the Spider-wort they are covered with down. In most cases a filament supports but one anther, but sometimes it is forked and bears two or more ; in some in- stances, many filaments have but one anther. When the fila- ments are enclosed in the tube of the corolla, they are said to be inserted, when they extend out of it, e.xserted. In some cases the filament is wanting, and the anther is sessile^ or im- mediately attached to the corolla. 313. In double flowers, the stamens, which seem to be inti- mately connected with the parts of the corolla, are changed to petals. This is the effect of cultivation, which by affording the stamens excess of nourishment, causes them to swell out, and thus assume the form of petals. In some double flowers almost every trace of the stamens disappears; in others, it is very easy to perceive the change which they have undergone, as they re tain something of their original form. The anthers usually disappear, Avhich shows that the filaments have absorbed all the nourishment. In many double flowers, roses especially, we can see the change as it takes place, some stamens being entirely changed, others retaining something of their form, and others still perfect. When all the stamens disappear, no perfect fruit is produced. 314. On account of this change in the stamens, cultivated flowers are not usually so good for botanical analysis, as wild unes. The single flower exhibits the number of parts which nature has given to it. The Rose in its native state has but five petals. ^ 312. What is said of the filament 1 313. What causes double flowers'? 314. Are cultivated flowers usually the best Cn. XIII. | Fig. 52 315. The Anther, is a little knob or bux, usually situated on the summit of the filament ; it ha* cells or cavities which contain a powder called the pollen; this is yellow, and vry conspicuous in the 'Lily and Tulip. You have here the representation (Fig. 52) of a stamen with its filament (a.) its anther (6) and the discharging pol- len (c.) In many flowers, you wLl perceive the filament to be wanting; the anthers are then said to be sessile; that is, placed immediately upon the corolla ; as at d, which represents a flower cut open, and its five stamens growing sessile in the throa*. Pistils. 315. In the centre of the flower stands the Pistil, an organ essential to the plant. Like the stamens, pistils vary in num- ber in different plants, some having but one, others hundreds Linnaeus has founded the orders of his first twelve classes on the number of these organs. 317. The pistil consists of three parts, germ, style, and stig- ma. It may be compared to a pillar ; the germ (Fig. 53. a) corresponding to the base; the style (b) to the shaft; and the stigma (e) to the capital. Fig. 53. The figure at (g-) represents the pistil of the Poppy ; the germ or base is very large ; you will perceive that the style is wanting, and the stigma is sessile, or placed immediately on the germ. The style is not an es- | sential part, but the stigma and germ are never wanting ; so that these two parts, as in the Poppy, often consti- tute a pistil. 318. Germ. The germ contain? the rudiments of the fruii yet in an embryo or unformed state. This germ is the future fruit, but in passing to its perfect state it undergoes a greal 315 Describe the anther. Slti. Describe the pistil. 317. What are the parts of the pistil 1 318. DeL<cribe the srerm. 1* 78 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch XI II change. You would scarcely believe that the PumpKin is but the germ of the small yellow flower of the plant. 319. Style. This, like the filament, is sometimes wanting; when present, it proceeds from the germ, and bears the stigma on its summit. It is usually long and slender, of a cylindrical form, consisting of bundles of fibres, which transmit the fertil- izing pollen from the stigma to the erm. 320. Stigw.a. This word signifies perfecting. The stigma is the top of the pistil, and always present ; if the style be wanting, it is placed upon the germ, and said to be sessile, as in the Tulip and Poppy. The stigma is various in size and form ; sometimes it is a round head ; sometimes hollow and gaping, more especially when the flower is in its highest perfec- tion ; it is generally downy, and always more or less moist with a peculiar, glutinous fluid. Use of the Stamens and Pistils. 321. We will now consider the use of the stamens and pis- tils, those organs so important, that without them no plant would produce fruit. 322. The pollen of the stamens, when the flower becomes mature, being thrown from the anther by the opening of its lids, falls upon the stigma, or top of the pistil, and passes through the style to the germ. In the germ are little seeds beginning to form, but which would never come to maturity without the agency of the pollen. You see now the wonderful contrivance by which the races of plants are preserved. 323. The real use of stamens and pistils was long a subject of dispute among philosophers, till Linnaeus explained it beyond a possibility of doubt. These organs have, from the most re- mote antiquity, been considered of great importance in perfect- ing the fruit. The Date Palm, which was cultivated by the ancients, bears stamens and pistils on separate trees ; the Greeks discovered that in order to have good fruit, it was necessary to plant the two kinds of trees near each other, and that without this assistance the dates had no kernel, and were not good for food. 321. Although the fertilization of plants, where the stamens H19. Describe the stj ic. 3-20. What is the stigma 1 *>*2I. What is said of the importance of the stamens and pistils 1 3 % 2*2. Give an account of the manner in which the seeds in the germ are fertilized. 3-23. What, did the Greeks discover nth respect to the date-palm ? 3J4. What are <ome ol the vanou? modes lu w lA ^:: "<me '^nveys poL^n to the pi>'.illaip piano ? Ch. XIV. | INFLORESCENCE. 79 and pistils are on separate flowers, depends a little upon chance, the favourable chances are so numerous that it is hardly possible, in the order of nature, that a pistillate plant should remain unfertilized. The particles of the pollen are light and abundant, and butterflies, honey bees, and other insects, trans- port them from flower to flower. The winds also assist in ex- ecuting the designs of nature. 325. The pollen of Pines and Firs, moved by winds, may be seen rising like a cloud above the forests ; the particles be- in<* disseminated, fall upon the pistillate flowers, and rolling within their scaly envelopes, fertilize the germs. 326. A curious fact is stated by an Italian writer, viz., that at places about forty miles distant, grew two Palm trees, the one without stamens, the other without pistils ; neither of them bore seeds for many years ; but in process of time they grew s& tall as to tower above all the objects near them. The wind thus meeting with no obstruction, wafted the pollen from the staminate to the pistillate flowers, which to the astonishment of all, began to produce fruit. 327. " Gardeners," says a botanical writer, " formerly at- tempted to assist nature, by stripping off the infertile flowers of melons and cucumbers, considering them as unnecessary incumbrances, since they would never become fruit. But find- ing that they then obtained no fruit at all, they soon learned the wiser practice of admitting the winds to blow, and the in- sects to transfer, the pollen of the infertile to the fruit-bearing flowers." CHAPTER XIV. Inflorescence Receptacle * mil Ltnnceus' classificatwn of Pericarps. 328. We shall now proceed to consider tne various ways in which flowers grew upon their stalks ; this is called their in- florescence, or mode of flowering. &!5. What is -^iidot the pohen ui pines ana iuis'f 3'26. What fart is stated by an Italian writer ? 3*27. What is the effect of stripping olT the infertile or siamicate flowers of plants'? 3-23. What is *x*eant by inflorescence 3 SO BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS- [Cli. XIV Inflorescence. 329. The most common kinds of inflorescence are the 'xhori raceme, panicle, spike, umbel, cyme % corymb fascicU atadL. t) and spadix Fig. 54. 330. A whorl (FL. 54,) is an as- semblage of flowers surrounding the stem or its branches. This is seen iu Mint, and many of the labiate plants. Flowers which grow in this mannei are said to be verticillate, from the Latin word verto, to turn. Leaves surrounding the stem in a similar manner are said to be stellate, or lik*- a star. 329, Which are the most common kinds of inflorescence 1 330 Describe the whorl. Cn. XIV "I INFLORESCENCE. Fig. 55. 81 331. A raceme, (Fig. 55,) a, consists of nu- merous flowers on i!'* own stalk or pedicel, and all arranged on one common peduncle, as a bunch of currants. 332. A panicle, (Fig. 55,) /J, bears the flow- ers in a kind of loose subdivided bunch or Muster, without any re- gular order, as in the oat. A panicle coiv tracted into a compact, somewhat ovate form, as in the Lilac, is call- ed a thyrse or bunch a bunch of grapes is a good example of a thyrse. 331. Describe the raceme. 332. What is a panicle, and how does a tkyrse differ from it 7 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch.XlV Fig. 56. 333. A spike, (Fig. 56, a) is an assemblage of flowers arising from the sides of a common stem ; the flowers ar sessile, or with very short peduncles, as the Grasses and the Mul- lein. A spike is gen- erally erect. The low- est ilowers usually bio* som and fade before the upper ones expand. When the flowers in a spike are crowded very close, an ear is formed, as in Indian corn. 334. An umoel (Fig. 56, b) presents several flower-stalks of nearly equal length, spreading out from a common centre, like the rays of an umbrella, bearing flowers or their summits ; as Fennel and Carrot. 335. A cyme (Fig. 56, c) resembles an umbel in having its common stalks aL spring from one centre, but differs in having those stalks irregularly sub-divided : as the Snow-ball and Elder. 333. What is a spike 1 334 What is an 'umbel? 335. Whatisacrmel Cb XIV.] INFLORESENCE. Fig. 57. 336. 7tn. Corymb (Fig. 57, a) or false umbel, wnen the peduncles rise from different heights above the main stem, but the lower ones being longer, they form nearly a level or a cun- vex top ; as the Yarrow." Sth. Fascicle (Fig. 57, b) flowers on little stalks variously inserted and subdivided, collected into a close bundle, level at the top ; as the Sweet-William ; it resembles a corymb, but the flowers are more densely clustered. 437. 9th. Head (Fig. 57, c) or tuft, has sessile flowers heaped together in a globular form ; as in the Clover, and But- ton Bush. 336. What is a corymb, and what is a fascicle ? 337. What is a head ? V BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XIV. 338. 10th. Ament, or catkin, is an as- semblage of flowers, composed of scales and stamens, arranged along a common, thread-like receptacle, as in the Chestnut and Willow ; this is more particularly de scribed under the divisions of the calyx. The scales of the ament are properly the calyxes ; the whole aggregate, including scales, stamens or pistils, and filiform re- ceptacle, constitutes the ament. 339. At Fig. 58. is the representation of the ament of the Poplar, containing pis- tillate flowers ; this is oblong, loosely im- bricated, and cylindrical ; the calyx is a flat scale, with deep fringed partings. At 6, is an enlarged representation of the fer- " tile or pistillate flower : the calyx or bract : is a little below the corolla, which is cup- shaped, of one petal, and crowned with an egg-shaped, pointed ^errn ; the germ is superior, and bears four (sometimes eight) stigmas. 340. The staminate ament of the Poplar resembles the pis- tillate, except that its corolla encloses e,ight stamens but no pis- til. The Poplar is in the class Dicecia, (or two houses,) because the pistillate and staminate {lowers are on different trees, and oi the order Octandria, because its barren flowers have eight sta- mens. 338. What is an ament ? 339. What does Fjg. 58 represent! 340. Why is the Poplar in the class Dioecia, orc'e* Octaid Ch XI V\ REOtTTACLE. Fig. 59. 341. nth. spa* r//.r, is aL assem- blage of flowers if row- ing upon a common receptacle, and sur- rounded by a spatha or sheath, as in the Egyptian lily. 342. At Pig. 59, a, is a representation of the blossom of the Wild turnip, (arum)} a, represents the spa- tha, which is erect, sheathing, oblongj convolute at the base> 6, this is compressed above and below the middle ; c represents the spadix, which from its club-shaped appearance, is called clai'iform (from c la- va, a club). 343. At B (Fig. 59) is the spadix divested of the spatha, a Is the claviform summit, 6 a ring of filaments without anthers, c a ring of sessile anthers, d a dense ring of pistillate flower* with sessile stigmas ; each germ produces a one celled globu- lar berry. 344. This is a plant of the class Moncecia, (one house,) be- cause its staminate and pistillate flowers are separate, but yet grow on the same plant ; it is in the order Polyandria, because its s,tamens are numerous. Receptacle. 345. The receptacle is the extremity of the peduncle ; at first it supports the flower, and afterwards the fruit. As this is it only use, it may properly be considered in connexion with 341. Describe the spadix. 34*2. What does Pig. 59 represent 1 343. What is represented at B. Fig. 59 ? 344. Why is the Wild Turnip in the class Muncecia, orebr Poly and rial 345. What is the receptacle 1 86 BOTANf FOR BEGIWNLRS. JCh. XIV he organs of fructification'. In simple flowers, as the Tulip, the eceptacle is scarcely to be distinguished from the peduncle, but in Compound flowers it is expanded, and furnishes a support for the flowers and fruit. Receptacles are of various kinds ; as, 346. 1st. Proper, supports but one flower, as in the Violet and Lily. 2d. Common, supports manv flowers or florets, the assemblage of which forms an aggregate or compound (lower, as in the Sunflower and Dandelion. The common receptacle presents a great variety of forms, it is either dry or pulpy ; con- cave in the Artichoke ; convex in other plants ;flat, in the Sun- Hower ; conical in some, and spherical in other plants. As to its surface, it is punctuate, or interspersed with hollow points or dots, as in the Daisy, hairy as in the Thistle, naked as in ihe Dandelion, or chaffy as in the Camomile. 3d. Rachis, is the filiform receptacle which connects the florets in a spike, as in the heads of wheat. 4th. Columella, or pillar, is the central column of the fruit, as the cob of the Indian corn. \l 77ie Fruit. 347. The fruit is composed of two principal parts, the pen carp and seed. The term pericarp is derived from peri around, and karpos seed or fruit ; it signifies surrounding the seed. All that part in any fruit which is not the seed belongs to the peri- carp. Pericarp and Seed. 348. The germ being fetili/ed, the parts of the flower which are ,not necessary for the growth of the fruit, usually fade and either fall off, or wither away. The germ continues to enlarge until it arrives at perfection. Everv kind of fruit,* you can see, has been once but the germ of a flower. The size of fruit is not usually proportioned to that of the vegetable which pro- duced it. The Pumpkin and the Gourd grow upon slender her- baceous plants, while the large Oak produces but an acorn. 349. The pericarp consists of valves, sutures, partitions, cells, and a receptacle. * The term fruit, in common language, is limited to pulpy fruits *rhich are proper for food ; but in a botanical sense, the frui include? jie seeds and pericarps of all vegetables. 34G. Mention the different kinds of receptacle. 347. Of what is the fruit composed 1 ?4S. What takes place in the flower after the germ is fertilized* 349, Of what doe? the pericarp consist 1 *>h. A.V.J I.INNt.t]8 CLASSIFICATION O* ' fafttc-Ahi 9. 87 350. 1st. Valves, are the pieces, which fojm the sides o/ the seed vessels. If a pericarp is funned of one piece, it i? nnicalced ; the chestnut is of this kind. A pericarp with two valves is said to be biralced. as a pea pod. The pericarp of the Violet is trivalved, that of the Stramonium quadrivalced. Most valves separate easily when the fruit is ripe; this separa- tion is known by the term dehiscence. 2d. Sutures or seams, are lines which show the union of valves ; at their seams the valves separate in the mature stage of the plant. 3d. .Partitions or dissepiments, are internal membranes which divide the pericarp into different cells; these are longi- tudinal when they extend from the base to the summit of the nericarp ; they are transverse when they extend from one side to the oilier. 351. Column or columella, the axis of the fruit ; this is th central point of union of the partitions of the seed vessels ; it may be seen distinctly in the core of an apple. This was noticed under the head of receptacles ; it is the receptacle of the fruit. 352. 4th. Cells, are divisions made by the dissepiment* and contain the seeds ; their number is seldom variable in tht same genus of plants, and therefore serves as an important generic distinction. 353. 5th. Receptacle, is that part of the pericarp to which the seed remains attached until its perfect maturity ; this organ, by means of connecting fibres, conveys to the seed for its nour- ishment, juices elaborated by the pericarp. 354. Some plants are destitute of a pericarp, as in the labi- ate flowers, the compound flowers, and the grasses; in these cases the seeds lie in the bottom of the calyx, which penorms the office of a pericarp. Linnceus* Classification of Pericarps. 355. Linnaeus divided pericarps into the nine following classes ; Capsule, Silique, Legume, Follicle, -Drupe, Nut, Pome, Berry, and Strobilum. 356. CAPSULE, signifies a little chest or casket ; that is a 350. Describe each of these parts. 351. What is the column 7 35-2. What are cells 1 353. What is the receptacle 7 354. Are any plants destitute of a pericarp? 355. What is Linnaeus' division or pericarps 1 35G. What is a capsule ? BS BOTANY FOR BEGINNER.* L CL XIV. hodow pericarp > which spontaneously opens by pores, as the poppy, or by valves, as in the Mullein. Fig. 60. 357. Fig. 60, a, represents the cap- sule of one species of Lily, the Maria- gon, as it appears after the opening oi the valves or pieces which compose the pericarp. At b is the same capsule re presented as cut crosswise, shewing the seeds as they lie in their dife*nt cell* 358. 2d. SILIQUE, or Siliqua, is a two-valved pericarp or pod, with the seeds attached alternately to its opposite edge, as Bus- tard and Radish. The proper silique is two-celied, hein fur- nished with a membrane, which runs the whole length oi this idnd of pericarp, forming a partition; upon this the see' 4 * aie aranged. See Fig. 69 D. b. 357. What does Fig. 60 represent 1 358. Describe the silique. . XIV.] LINNJ3DS 5 CLASSIFICATION OF PERICARPS, Fig. 61. a n 359. Fig. 61, a, represents a sjlique, the fruit of the white mustard ; this is rostrate* terminating like a bird's beak ; b, represents a globular seed : c, the. same magnified ; d, shews the seed dividing and the embryo making its appearance. 360. Silicle (sUicida, a little pod,) is distinguished by being shorter than the proper silique ; it is almost round, as in the Shepherd's purse. This difference, in the form of the Silique and Silicle, is the foundation of the distinction of the orders in the class Tetradynamia. 361. 3d. LEGUME, is a pericarp of two valves, with the seeds attached only to one suture or seam ; as the pea. 362. In this circumstance it differs from the Silique, which has its seeds affixed to both Sutures. The word pod is used in common language for both these species of pericarp. 363. Plants which produce legumes, are called leguminous The greater number of these plants are in the 16th class, Dia- delphia. ig. 62. 359. What does Fig. 61 represent 1 360. What is a cilicle 1 361. What is a legume 1 36*3. How does it differ from the silique? 363. In vhat class are most leguminous plants 1 90 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. I Ch. XIV 364. Fig. 62, a, represents a legum.e ft, the same cut trans versely in order to show the two cells. 365. 4th. FOLLICLE, is a one-valved pericarp, which opens longitudinally on one side, having its seed loose within it, thar is _iot bound to the suture. - 3 - 366. Fig. 63, shows a fruit of this kind, which is composed of three pods or folli- cles ; a shows the valve opening ; 6, a seed cut lengthwise. This is a com- pound fruit, of the Monk's-hood, ( Aconi- Kturn.) 367. 5th. DRUPE, a stone fruit, is a kind of pericarp whicn has no valve, and contains a nut or stone, within which there is a kernel. The Drupe is mostly ffi$\ ^^^ a moist, juicy fruit; as in the plum, cher- ry, and the peach. The nut or stone in the drupe, is a kind of woody cup com- monly containing a single kernel calleo the Nucleus: this hard shell thus enve- loping the kernel, is called the Putamen ; it may be seen in the stone of a cherry or peach. 368. 6th. NUT, is a seed covered with a shell, resembling ihe capsule in some respects, and the drupe in others ; this you may see in the walnut, chestnut, &c. 369. 7th. POME, is a pulpy pericarp without valves, but hav- ing a membranous capsule, with a number of cells, which con- tain the seeds. This species of pericarp has no external open- ing or valve. The apple, pear, quince, gourd, cucumber, and melon, furnish us with examples of this kind of pericarp. \Vith respect to form, the Pome is oblong, ovate, globular, &c. the form of fruits being much varied by climate and soil. You know that apples are not uniform in their si/e or figure. With respect to the number of cells also, the apple is variable. 370. 8th. BERY, is a succulent, pulpy pericarp, without valves, and containing naked seeds, or seeds with no other co- vering than the pulp which surrounds it, as in the gooseberrv and currant; the seeds in the berry are sometimes dispersed 364. What does Fi?. 62 represent 1 365. What isafoliclel 366. What is represented by Fig. 63 1 367. Describe the drupe. 36ft. What is a nut ? 36{). W*ia! i. a pome ? 370. Descr.be the berry Ch. XV.] THE SEED. 91 promiscuously through the pulpy substance, but are more gene- rally placed upon receptacles wilhin the pulp. A compound berry consists of several single berries, each containing a seed. united together; as in the blackberry and raspberry. Each oi the separate parts is called an acinus, or giain. The orange and lemon are berries with a thick coat. 371. There are some kinds of berries, usually so called, that seem scarcely entitled to the name; in these the pulp is not properly a part of the fruit, but originates from some other or- gan ; thus in the mulberry and strawberry the calyx becomes coloured and very juicy, surrounded by seeds like a real berry. Some botanists in describing the strawberry, say that what is commonly called the berry, is but a pulpy receptacle, studded with naked seeds. In the fig, the whole iVuit is a juicy calyx, or common receptacle, containing in its cavity innumerable flo- rets, each of which has a proper calyx of its own, which be comes pulpy, and invests the seed, as in the mulberry. 372. 9th. STROBILUM, a cone ; is a Catkin or Ament hardened and enlarged into a seed vessel, as in the pine ; this is called an aggregate, or compound pericarp. In the most perfect ex- amples of this kind of fruit the seeds are closely enveloped by the scales as by a capsule. The Strobilum is oblong in the pine, round in the cypress, very small in the alder and birch. Wben you eat fruit, as almonds, walnuts, apples, peaches, currants, &c., you will no doubt be pleased to be able to give them their proper place in the classes you have just been con- sidering. / ^ CHAPTER XV. The Seed. We have now traced the plant from the root through all Us various organs, until we have arrived at that part, which is a link in the chain of vegetable existence between the old ami new plant; if this were destroyed, if the seeds of plants \\erx* no longer perfected, what changes would the whole face of na- ture present ! 373. The earth would in one year be stripped of the whole 371. What is said of the blackberry, strawberry, mulberry, and &! 372. Describe the strubilum. 373. Whai appearances would natuie prejent if seeds were nolonge. perhxied 1 92 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch XV tribe of annual plants ; in another the biennial plants would vanish; the perennial would, year alter year, disappear, until (if we could suppose our own lives to be prolonged to the asual age of man,) we should behold the earth one vast scene of ve- getable ruin ; occasionally here and there a venerable oak or an ancient pine would stand in solitary grandeur, the mournful remnants of the oace beautiful and fertile vegetable kingdom. 374. But such a sad spectacle the earth will never present; for we have the promise of God himself, that "while the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest shall not cease." 375.. We have seen in the progress of our inquiries, that while the present plant is diffusing around it beauty and fra- grance and administering to the necessities and luxuries oi man, the watchful care of that Being, who never slumbers nor sleeps, is by a slow but certain progress perfecting that part which is destined to continue the various species of plants un- til time shall be no more. 376. The seed is that internal part of the fruit which con- tains the complete rudiment of a new plant, similar to that from which it received its existence. 377. The seed consists of three principal parts r viz. the eye. husk, and kernel. 378. 1st. The Eye, or hilum, is the scar formed by the sepa- ration of the membrane or thread which connected the seed with the pericarp, and conveyed to the former the necessary nourishment. You 'can see the eye plainly in a bean or kernel of corn. 379. 2d. The Husk, is the outer coat of the seed, which, on boiling, becomes separate ; as in peas, beans, Indian corn, &c, The husk surrounds the kernel; it is essential, as the kernel, which is originally a fluid, could not be formed without its pre- sence. 380. 3d. The Kernel, includes all that is contained within the husk; it is also called the nucleus or almond of the seed. The kernel is usually composed of the albumen, colyledon, and embryo. 381. Albumen makes up the chief part of some seeds, as the 374. Will the earth ever present such a spectacle 1 375. What have we seen in the progress of our inquiries ? 37G. What does the seed contain 1 377. Of how many parts does the seed consist ? 378. Describe the eye. 379. What is the husk 1 380. What is the kernel, and into how many parts is it divided 1 381 What is said of the albumen 1 Ch. XV/1 THE SEKD. 93 grasses, corn, &c. ; in the nutmeg, which has very small coty ledons, it is remarkable for its variegated appearance and aro- matic quality. It chiefly abounds in plants which have but one cotyledon. 382. Fig. 64 represents the garden bean ; a shows the cotyledons ; b and c, the em- bryo ; d shows the petioles or stems of the cotyledons. 383. Cotyledons (from a Greek word, kotide, a cavity,) are the thick fleshy lobe? of seeds, which encircle the embryo. In beans they grow out of the ground in the form of two large leaves. Cotyledons are the first visible leaves in all seeds, al- most always fleshy and spongy, of a suc- culent and nourishing substance, which serves for the food of the embryo at the moment of its germinating. Nature seerns to have provided the cotyledons to nourish the plant in its tender infancy. After seeing their young charge sufficiently vigorous to sustain life without their assistance, they, in most plants, wither and die. The number of cotyledons varies in different plants; there are some plants which have none. 384. Acotyledons, are those plants which have no cotyledons in their seeds; such as the cryptogamous plants, mosses, &c. 385. Mono-cotyledons, such as have but one cotyledon, or lobe, in the seed ; as the grasses, liliaceous plants, &c. 386. Di -cotyledons, such plants, as have two cotyledons ; they include the greatest proportion of vegetables : as the legur minous, the syngenesious, &e. 387. Poly -coty ledons, those plants, the seeds of which have more than two lobes : the number of these is small ; the hem- lock and the pine are examples. V/ 388. The Embryo, is the most important part of the seed, as it produces the new plant; all other parts seem but subservient tf> this, which is the point from whence the life and organiza- tion of the future plant originate. In most dicotyledonous seeds, as the bean, orange, and apple, the embryo may be plainly dis- covered. Its internal structure, before it begins to vegetate, is 382. What does Fig. 64 represent 1 383. What are cotyledons 1 384. What plants are called Acotyledons 1 385. What are Monocotyledons'? 386. What are Dicotyledons 1 387. What are Polycoty ledons 1 388. Give an account of the embryo. 84 BOTANY /OR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XV. very simple, consisting of a uniform substance enclosed in its appropriate bark or skin. When the vital principle is excited to action, vessels are formed, and parts developed, which seem- ed not previously to have existed. The embryo is usually central, and enclosed by the cotyledons ; sometimes it is no more than a mere point or dot, and in some cases, altogether invisible to the naked eye. The embryo Consists of two parts. 389. 1st. The Plume, is the ascending part, which unfolds 'tself into herbage. Fig. 65. ~ 390. 2d. The Radicle is the descend- ing part, which unfolds itself into roots. At Fig. 65 appears the embryo in a ger- minating state ; a represents the radicle, b the plume, c the cord by which the plant | is still connected with the cotyledons, and receives from them its nourishment. To use the words of an ancient bota- nist, " the embryo centimes imprisoned within its seed, and rem.v*is in a pro- found sleep, until awakened :>y germina- tion ; it meets the light and air to grow into a plant, similar to its parent." There are various appendages which may, or may not, be present without in mry to the structure of the seed. 391. Aigrette, or egret, sometimes called pappus, is a kind of feathery crown with which many of the compound flowers are furnished, evidently for the purpose of disseminating the seed to a considerable distance by means of winds ; as the dan- delion. The egret includes all that remains on the top of the seed after the corolla is removed. 392. Stipe is a thread connecting the egret with the seed. The egret is said to be sessile when it has no stipe, simple when it consists of a bundle of hairs without branches, plumose when each hair has other little hairs arranged along its sides, like the beards on a feather. 389. Describe the pin me. 390. Describe the radicle. 391 What is the egret] 392 What is the stype ? Cb 393. In Fig. 66, a represents the capillary, or hair-like egret > *> the plumose, or feathery egret ; c and d show the style remain- ing, and forming a train, as in the Virgin's bower and Geum; e represents a wing, as may be seen in the fir and maple ; and /'a sessile egret. General Remarks upon Seeds. 394. The number of seeds in different plants is variable ; some have but one ; some, like the umbelliferous plants, have two ; some have four, as in the rough-leaved plants ; in the order Gymnospermia, of the class Didynamia, there are four lyin<r naked in each calyx. The number varies from these to thou- sands. A stalk of Indian corn is said to have produced in one season, two thousand seeds. It has been calculated that a sin- gle Thistle seed will produce, at the first crop, twenty-four .housand, and at the second crop, at this rate, five hundred and seventy-six millions. 395. Seeds are of various sizes, from that of the cocoa-nut, to a fine dust, as in the mosses. 396. The period at which seeds arrive at maturity, marks the decay of annual plants, and the suspension of vegetation in woody and perennial plants. Nature, in favouring by various means, the dispersion of these seeds, presents phenomena worthy of our admiration, and those means are as varied as the species of seeds which are spread upon the surface of the earth. 397. The air, winds, rivers, seas, and animals, transport seeds and disperse them in every direction. Seeds provided with feathery crowns, (egrets,) as the Dandelion and Thistle, or with wings, as the Maple and Ash, are raised into the air, and even carried across seas. Linnaeus asserted that a certain 393. What is represented by Fig. 66 7 394. What is remarked respecting the variation ir the number yf ecus'? 395. What is said of the different sizes of seeds 7 396. What marks the decay of annual plants 1 3.97. How are seeds transported in various directions'? 98 BOTANY TOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XV plant of the compound family was introduced into Europe from America, by seeds wafted across the Atlantic Ocean. cc Seeds, ^ says Linnaeus, "embark upon the rivers which descend jroin the highest mountains of Lapland, and arrive at the middle ot the plains, and the coasts of the seas. The ocean nas thrown even upon the coasts of Norway, the nuts of the Mahogany, and the fruit of the cocoa nut tree, borne on its waves from the far distant tropical regions ; and this wonderful voyage has been performed without injury to the vital energy of the seeds. 5 ' yt? 398. Animals also perform their part in the diffusion of seeds. Squirrels and other animals carry seeds and nuts into holes in the earth. The Indians believed that the squirrels planted all the timber in the country : there is no doubt but that they do much towards diffusing different kinds of nuts and seeds; as Chestnut, Oak, Walnut, &c. Animals contribute also to the distribution of seeds by conveying them in their wool, fui, or feathers. 399. The diffusion of seeds completes the circle of vegeta- tion, and closes the scene of vegetable life. The shrubs and trees lose their foliage the withered herbs decompose, and re* store to the earth the element which they have drawn from its bosom. The earth, stripped of its beauty, seems sinking into old age ; but although unseen by us, and unmarked the processes of nature by too many among men, innumerable germs have been formed, which wait but the favourable warmth, to decorate with new brilliancy this terrestrial scene. 400. So fruitful is nature, that a surface a thousand times more extended than that of our globe, would not be sufficient for the vegetables which the seeds of one single year would pro- duce, if all should be developed; but the destruction of seeda is very great, great quantities being eaten by man and beast; 01 left to perish in unfavourable situations. Those which are pre- served, constitute but a small proportion of the whole ; they are either carried into the clefts of rocks, or buried beneath the ruins of vegetables; protected from the cold, they remain inac- tive during winter, and germinate as soon as the early warmth of spring is felt. 40.1. At this season the botanist who considers with a cun 398. Do animals assist in dispersing seeds 1 399. What is remarked of the appearance of vegetation at the time of the diffusion of seeds'? 400. Would the earth afford sufficient space for all the seeds which one year produces to vegetate 1 401. What are the reflections of the Iwtanist on beholding the plants appear on ;he return of Spring 1 Oh, XVI.] THE SEED. 97 cms eye the -vegetable species with which th* eartn begins to b domed, seeing successively all the types or representations of past generations of plants, admires the power of tie Author of nature, and the immutability of His laws. CHAPTER XVI. Germination of the Seed. 402. WE have now considered the various organs of plants. \Ve have traced them through their successive stages of deve- lopment, from the root to the bud, leaf, and flower, and from the flower to the fruit and seed. We have seen in imagination, the vegetable world fading under a change of temperature, the "sear and yellow leaf," a prey to the autumnal blasts; and even the fruits themselves, exhibiting a mass of decayed mat ter. Were this appearance of decay and death, now presented to us for the first time, how gloomy would be the prospect! How little should we expect the return of life, and beauty, and fragrance ! No power short of Omnipotence, can effect this miracle. 403. But A\e are now so accustomed to these changes, that 11 seeing, we perceive not ;" we think not of the mighty Being, who produces them: we call them the operations of nature ; and what is nature, or what are the laws of nature, but mani- festations of Almighty power ? 404. The word nature, in its original sense, signifies born 01 produced ; let us then look on nature as a created thing, and oeware of yielding that homage to the creature which is due to the Creator. The sceptic, with seeming rapture, may talk of the beauties of nature, but cold and insensible must be that heart, which from the contemplation of the earth around, and *he heavens above, soars not, " To him, the mighty Power from whom these wonders are." 405. How beautifully is the re-animation of the vegetable world, used by St. Paul, as an illustration of our resurrection Jrom the dead! The same power, which from a small, dry, 403 Why are mankind so forgetful of the Great Being who pro- duces the wonderful cnanges which nature presents? 404. What is the meaning of the word nature, and how should we regard it '\ 405. What should remind us of the resurrection from the dead 1 9 98 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. ,"Ch. XVI. anJ apparently dead seed, can bring forth a fresh and beautifu! plant, can also from the ruins of our mortal bodies produce a new and glorious body, and unite it to the immortal spirit by ties never to be separated. Germination, 406. The process of the shooting forth of the young plant from the seed is termed Germination. 407. The principal of life contained in the seed does not usually become active, until the seed is placed in circumstances favourable to vegetation. 408. When a seed is committed to the bosom of the earth, its various parts soon begin to swell by absorbing moisture. A chymical action then commences : oxygen from the air \nites to the carbon of the seed, and cariies it off in the form of carbonic acid gas. 409. As the carbon of the cotyledons continues to diminish, and oxygen is produced in excess, a sweet, sugar-like sub- stance is formed ; this is conveyed to the embryo, which by its new nourishment is kindled into active life ; from this period we may date the existence of the young plant. Bursting through the coats which surround it, and which are already en- feebled by their loss of carbon, the embryo emerges from its prison, the radicle shoots downward, and the plume rises up- wards. We say then that the seed has corne up or sprouted. 410. Fig. 67 represents a young dicotyledonous plant, with its radicle, a, developed ; its plume, 6, is yet scarcely percepti- ble; its cotyledons, c, appear in the form of large, succulent soed-leaves. 406. What is germination 1 407. What is necessary tor the vegetation of the seed 7 408. What changes occur when the seed is placed in the earth 1 409. What kindles the embryo into active life? 410. What does Fig. G7 represent 1 Oft XVT.J GERMINATION. Fig. 67. 411. The rajicle, 01 descending root, is usu- ally first to break through the coats of the seeds ; it commences its journey downward, to seek in th earth nourishment for the future plant, and to fix it firmly in the earth. This constitutes the root, and always takes a down- ward course, in whatever situation the seed may have been placed in the ground. 412. A botanist plant- ed in a pot, six acorns, with the points of their embryos upwards. At the end of two months upon removing the earth, he found that all the radi- cles had made an angle in order to reach down- It is supposed that if the root met with no obstruction :n going downwards, it would always be perfectly straight. Fig. 68. 413. Fig. 68 is the representation of a germinating seed of the Foui o'clock ; it will be seen that the radicle, a, has made nearly a right an^le in turning downwards ; the plume is not developed. 414. If you put into a tumbler of wa- ter some cotton, and place upon it some seeds of rice or wheat, you will see al the fibres shooting from the seeds, in a perpendicular direction, downwards. It is a very simple and interesting experiment. Some ascribe this phenomenon to the laws of gravitation, by which the root is attracted towards the centre of the earth; others say that the radicle, stimulated by moisture, naturally extends itself in the direction from whici 411. What direction does the radicle take? 412. What experiment did a botanist make with acorns? 413. What does Fig. 68 represent? 414. What experiment is mentioned, and what are some of H list"* assigned t^r th? rtownwufd romxe of h^ nulii.lp'7 the 10 BOTANY FOR BEGINHEH3. | Cll. X VI. the moisture proceeds ; while some imagine that the plant is en- dowed with a kind of instinct, similar to that which appears in animals, leading the little duck to seek the water, and birds to attempt to fly ; but let us call this power' by what name we will, or refer it to whatever secondary laws, we must after ail attribute it to the will and design of Him, who gave tne plant a principle of life. V 415. After the young root has made some progress, the coty- ledons swell, and rising out of the ground, form two green leaves, called seed leaves. You have no doubt noticed their appear- ance in the garden bean, when it first appears above the ground. 416. When the plume develops its leaves, these seed-leaves, being no longer needed, wither and decay. 417. You will recollect that the embryo or germ is composed of two parts, the radicle and the plume. The radicle, we have just seen, extends itself downwards. Soon after this part of the germ has begun its downward course, the plume, (so called from its resembling a little feather,) rises upwards, and soon becomes a tuft of young leaves, with which the stem, if there is one, ascends. 418. Some moisture is essential to the germination of the seed, though different plants require different quantities. Wa- ter softens the envelopes of the seed, swells the kernel, and causes it to burst. Too much water produces a decay or rot in the seed so rapidly, that the Jiving principle is destroyed rather than brought forward ; hence it is better to sow seeds in dry ra- ther than wet weather. Eartk, though not absolutely essential, is useful, as affording to the vegetable egg a favourable situa- tion, where it may receive the influence of the various agents, which are to perform their offices in the development of its parts. Some plants vegetate without earth. The parasite grows upon tne barks of other plants ; many seeds vegetate in water, and some, when moistened and placed on cotton, or any other supporting substance. 419. Air is essential to vegetation ; under an exhausted recei- ver a seed will not germinate, although possessing every other requisite. Seeds that become imbedded deeply in the ground do not vegetate, unless accidentally ploughed up, or exposed to the atmosphere. Acorns, supposed to have lain for centuries, have germinated as soon as they were raised sufficiently near the surface to receive the influence of air. You will recollect, 415. When do the seed leaves appear 1 410. When do the seed leaves decay 1 417. What direction does the plume take? 418. What effect has water upon the vegetation of the seed? la earth essential to ^egetation? U9 K **J.r iecc>sary to vpgpfatinn 7 Ch. XVI.] GERMINATION. J01 ;liat in the process of germination, oxygen gas unites with the sarbcn of the seed, and carries it off in the form of carbonic acid. Air furnishes that important agent, oxygen, which is the first moving principle of life. 420. Carbon constitutes the greater part of the suostimce of seed ; and this principle being in its nature opposed to purtre- faction, prevent seeds from rotting, previous to their being sown. Some seeds having abundance of carbon, are capable of being preserved for ages : while others, in which this element exists but in small proportions, require to be sown almost as soon as ripe j and such as are still more deficient in carbon, lose their vital principle before separating fir ;in the pericarp. 421. Oxygen is important U- germination, on account of its agency in removing the carbon which holds the living principle of the seed in bondage. 422. The absence of light is unfavourable-to the germina- tion of seeds ; for light acts upon plants in such a manner as to take away oxygen by the decomposition of carbonic acid gas r and to deposite carbon ; now this is just the reverse of the pro- cess required in germination, where the carbon must be throw/? off and the oxygen in excess. 423. A certain degree of heat is necessary to germination. Seeds planted in winter, will remain in a torpid state ; but as soon as the warmth of spring is felt, the embryo emerges into tife. By increasing heat, seeds may be hastened in their vege- tating process ; thus the same seed, which with a moderate de- gree of heat would germinate in nine hours, may be brought to this state in six hours, by an increase of temperature. Too great heat destroys the vital principle ; thus corn which has been roasted can never be made to vegetate. 424. There is a great difference in plants as to their time oj germinating ; some seeds begin to vegetate before they are se- parated from the pericarp.* In the greater number of vegeta- * In the month of January, on observing the seeds of a very fine juicy apple, which had been kept in a warm cellar, I saw that they were swollen, and the outward coat had burst; examining one seed by re- moving the tegument and separating the cotyledons, I saw by the help of a microscope the embryo, as if in a germinating state ; the radicle was like a little beak ; in the upper part or plume was plainly to be seen the tuft of leaves and the stem. 420. What constitutes the greater part of thf substance of the seed i 421. Why is oxygen necessary to germination'? 422. Is light favourable to vegetation 423. Is heat necessary to vegetation 7 424. What is said of the difference in plants with respect to the nm* of genninati >n 7 J02 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XVI. bles. however, there is no germination until after the opening ot the pericarp and the tall of the seed. The time at which differ- ent species of seeds, after being committed to the earth, heg'n to vegetate, varies from one day, to some years. The seeds ol grasses, and the grain-like plants, as rye, wheat, corn, &c. ger- minate within two days. Cruciform plants, such as the radish and mustard, the leguminous, as the pea and bean, require a little more time. The peach, walnut, and peony, remain in the earth a year before they vegetate. 425. All kinds of plants germinate sooner if they are sown immediately after being separated from the pericarps, than ii kept some time. 426. The seeds of most vegetables preserve their living prin- ciple for years : some lose it as soon as they are detached from their pericarps. This is said to be the case in the coffee and tea. The seeds of some of the grasses, as wheat, &c. are said to retain their vital principle even for centuries. It is asserted that mosses, kept for two hundred years in the herbariums of botanists, have revived by being soaked in water. 427. An American writerf says that " seeds, if imbedded in stone or dry earth, and removed from the influence of air o* moisture, might be made to retain their vegetative quality or principle of life for a thousand years." But he adds, " life is a property which we do not understand : yet life, however feeble and obscure, is always life, and between it and death there is a distance as great as existence and non-existence." 428. Before commencing the study of botany, when you looked at the trunk of a tree, a little herb, or a leaf, you proba- bly considered it very simple in its -structure ; you saw it only as one mass ; but you now perceive that plants, like animals, consist of collection* of fibres ; that they have parts which in some lespects are like our skin, bones, flesh, and blood ; that they are living organized beings, and like animals, are subject to life and death. 429. Plants differ from animals, in possessing none of the or- gans of sense. They can neither see, hear, r^ste, smell, nor t B. Barton. 425. Is it better that seeds should be kept sometime before they are sown? 426. Are seeds alike with respect to retaining their living principle 1 427. What is remarked by an American writer respecting the life of seeds ? 428. Do you regard plants now in the same manner as before you began to study them ? 429. Ho?/ do plants differ from animals, and how do they referable 1. XVII.l CLASSIFICATION '03 touch. Some vegetables, however, seem to have a kind ot sen sibility like that derived from the organs of touch m anivm Is ; they tremble and shrink back upon coming in contact w ih other substances ; some turn themselves round to the sun, as if enjoying its ray*. There is a mystery in these circumstances which we cannot penetrate ; and it is not yet fully known at what point in the scale of existence animal life ends, and vege- table life commences. CHAPTER XVII. General Principles of Classification Natural Families o/ Plants. 420. LET us now imagine the whole vegetable kingdom, comprising innumerable millions of individual plants, to be spread out before a botanist. Could he, in the course of the longest life, number each blade of grass, each little moss, each shrub, or even each tree ? If he could not even count them, much less could he give each one a separate name and descrif)- tion. But he does not need to name them separately, for fie sees that nature has arranged therii into sorts or kinds. 43JL. If you were sent into the fields to gather flowers of a similar kind, you would need no book to direct you to put into one parcel, all the red clover blossoms, and into another, the while clover ; while the dandelions would form another group. These all constitute different species. Nature would also teach you that the red and white clover, although differing from each other in some particulars, yet bear a strong resemblance. 432. By placing species together you form a genus, and to this genus you refer all the different kinds of clover. When yoa se<i red, damask, and cinnamon roses, you perceive they all have such strong marks of resemblance as to entitle them to be placed together in one genus. 433. But yet you know that the seed of a damask rose would never produce a red rose. One species of plants can never produce another species, however near may be their resem- 'ance. 434. The whole number of species of plants which have CI 430. Is it necessary for the botanist to give a particular name tu every plant! 431. Do yoa heed a book to teach you to put flowers of the same ori together! 430. How is a genus formed 1 433. Does one specie^ ever produce plants of another specie*'* 43 1. What fiuiiber ot spools have been discovered! 104 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. X\\ b-een named and described, including many wirch have been rece itly discovered in New Holland and about the Cape oi Go',d Hope, is said to be 56,000. 35. If species of plants were described wuhout any regular Older, we could derive no pleasure, and very little advantage, from the study of practical botany. If we \vished to find out ihe name of a plant, we should be obliged to turn over the leaves of a large volume, without any rule to guide us in our search. 436. The necessity of some kind of system was so appa- rent, that many attempts for the methodical arrangement of plants, were made, before the time of Linnaeus ; but his system was so superior to all others, that it was no sooner published to the world, than it was adopted by the universal consent of all men of science. 437. This system not only includes within it all known plants, but is founded on such principles as must comprehend within it whatever plants may yet be discovered. Its autbo* believed that no plant was destitute of stamens and pistils: bu f at the same time, that there were species in which these organ* were so small, so obscure, or of such a singular formation, as U render IT difficult, and sometimes impossible, to be certain o their existence, except by the principle of analogy. 438. Linnaeus made two grand divisions of plants, Phen* gamous, such as have stamens and pistils visible, and Crypto gamous, stamens and pistils invisible. 439. The following comparison has been very properly mail in illustration of the divisions in the system of Linnus Classes are compared to States. Ciders, to Towns. Genera, to Families. Species, to Individuals. 440. You must not forget, while you are studying botany that plants themselves are the only real substances ; species genus, order, and class, are mere abstract terms, denoting cer rain distinctions which would equally have existed, although we had never observed them, or given them names. 435. What would be the consequence if species were described with- out regularity! 43G. Were any attempts at a methodical arrangement of plants made before the time of Linnaeus'? 437. Does the system of Linnaeus provide for the arrangement 01 plants not yet discovered! 438. What two grand divisions of plants did Linnaeus mike? Q.L 439. How may the divisions in botany be illustrated? 440. Which are the on /real substances that are considere^ in bot w v* Ch. XVII. ] CLASSIFICA . iON. 105 441. An Individual is an organized being, complete in its parts, distinct and separate Jrom all other beings. An oak, a rose, and a moss, are each of them individuals of the vegetable kingdom. jLX 442. A Species includes such individuals as agree in certain circumstances of the roots, stems, leaves, and inflorescence. We have no reason to suppose that any new species, either of animals or vegetables, have been produced since the creation. We sometimes see varieties in plants made by cultivation ; the stamens and pistils, from excess of nourishment, expanding into petals. Varieties are also occasioned by strewing the pol- len from one species, upon the stigma of another ; but these varieties do not produce perfect seed, and therefore cannot re- produce themselves by their seed. Colour, taste, and size, are not considered as marks of specific difference. 443. A Genus comprehends one or more species, grouped to- gether on account of some resemblance in situation, proportion, and connexion of the organs which constitute the flower. Any one species of a genus may be regarded as a type or example of the others ; we may easily refer species which we have not studied to their proper genus, by a knowledge of any one spe- cies of that genus. Some genera appear to be distinctly marked by nature ; the various species of the rose, form a beautiful ge- nus which is known to all, although every one might not be able to describe it to others, in such a manner as to be under- stood ; it is chiefly distinguished by its urn-shaped, fringed calyx. 444. The generic names of plants are derived from various circumstances ; in some cases from a peculiarity of form, or colour of the corolla or some pioperty of the plant. Some genera are named from distinguished persons. Iris, (Flag,) is named from Iris the rain-bo\v on account of its various shades of co- lour. Digitalis, (Fox-glove,) is named fromdigitus a finger, on account of the shape of its corolla, like the finger of a glove. Convallaria, (Lily of the valley,) is named from the Latin con- vallis, signifying valley. The name of the great Linnaeus is commemorated in a beautiful but modest and humble flower called the Linn&a boreaiis* * Borealis, signifying northern, has reference to the situatkn of Sweden, the country which gave birth to .-Linnaeus. The Lmnaea oorealis is not uncommon in New England, and has been lound on \n island near Troy, in the State of New-York. 441. What is an individual? 4-12. What is a species 1 1-13. What is a genus: n . 444. How are the generic names derived ? 06 BOTANV FOR BtEINNERS. | Cil. XV 445. Specific names are generally adjectives ; generic names are nouns. The specific name sometimes indicates the num- ber of leaves, as ORCHIS bifolia, (bifolia, signifies two leaves,) or the colour of the corolla ; as VIOLA tri-color, (three coloured Violet,) or the form of the root; as SOLANUM tuberosum : (po- tato with a tuberous root.) Specific names are also derived from the names of persons; thus a species of the genus Bid ens is named Beckii, in honour of Dr. Beck, a botanist of tlje state ol New York. The name RENSSELA:RIA has lately been given to a newly discovered genus ; this is called after Mr. Van Rensselaeer a distinguished patron of American science. Natural Method. 446. The natural method consists in bringing together sucn 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 could thus be distributed into natural tribes, we should need no 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 01 resemblance, we find others, less distinctly marked, and AVC 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 n 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 sneep 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. bive some account of what is called in Botany the Natural Method. 447. Hov do persons ignorant of the science which classes aiumais, extinguish 1. rocious beasts from domestic animals? 44S. Of what use is the natural character of plants to Savasts ? f. h. AVI1L] CLASSIFICATION. 107 459. E~ ^n the ower grade of animals have this faculty of selecting t?y natural characters, nutritious substances, and avoid- ing noxious ones ; thus AVC see the apparently unconscious rjrutes luxuriating in the rich pastures prepared for them by a benevolent Creator, cautiously passing by the poisonous weed* directed by the curious instinct given them by ^his same A' mighty Benefactor. CHAPTER XVIIL I Natural Familie* 450. A naturat Jamily is composed of several genera of plants which have some common marks of resemblance, and its name is usually founded upon this general character j as La- biate and Cruciform, which are derived from the form of the corollas : Umbel/ale and Corymbiferous, from the inftores- rence; Leguminous, from the nature of the fruit. 451. Natural families resemble artificial orders in being com posed of genera, but the principles on which the* genera are brought together, differ widely in the two case& 452. In many natural families, the classification is such as persons who have never studied botany, might make ; thus, dill. fennel, caraway, &e., belong to the umbellate family, on ac- count of the form in which the little stakes, bearing the flower, and afterwards the seed, branch out from one common centre, like the sticks of an umbrella ; this general resemblance is ob- served by all, and it seems N very natural to class such plants together. 453. But in the artificial orders, genera which may be very unlike in other respects, are brought together from the single circumstance of their having the same number of stamens am) pistils. Thus, in the first order of the Sth class, we have the Tulip and the Burlish, the Lily of the valley and the Sweet- Hag. In the second order of the 5th class, we have the Beet and the Elm. You will at once perceive the want of resem- 449. Are animals capable of distinguishing plants by their natural characters 7 450. What composes a natural family of Plants, and on what is its name often founded 1 451. How dp families resemble artificial orders? 452. Could a person ignorant of botany form a classification - plants into natural families'? 453 He r r genera brought together in tl* utificia! ordr's t TOg BOTANY FOR BEGINNhKS. [Ch. XVil olance in the general appearance of these plants, and that an arrangement, which thus brings them together, is properly call- ed an artificial method. 454. Many families of plants possess a marked resemblance a 'ii form and qualities, and appear evidently as distinct tribe*. If the whole of the vegetable kingdom could thus be distributed into natural classes, the study of botany would be much simpli- fied ; but it has already been remarked, that there are many plants which cannot be thus arranged, and no principle has y p t been discovered for systematic arrangement, which bears any comparison to the Artificial System. 455. Here plants are conveniently arranged, like words in a dictionary, and thus easily found out and referred to their na- tural classes: no other system exists which can with certainty direct us to these classes. In commencing our remarks upon some of the natural fami- lies, we will first consider the LILIACEOUS FLOWERS. 456. These flowers consist of six petals, spreading gradually from the base, and exhibiting a kind of bell-form appearance but differing from the bell-form flowers in being polypetalous. 457. The number of stamens in the Liliaceous plants is ge- nerally six, sometimes but three ; they are usually alternate with the petals. 458. The germ of the Liliaceous plants is always of a trian gular form, and contains three cells $ the roots are mostly bulbous. 459. The Lily has a scaly buib, the Onion a tunicated 01 coated bulb, the Tulip has a bulb which seems almost solid and tuberous. 460. The calyx is mostly wanting in Liliaceous plants, the stems are simple without branches ; the leaves entire, and nerved. To this family belong the Tulip, Lily, Crown-imperial, Dog- tooth-violet, &c. Plants of this natural family usually belong to the class Hexandria ; the Crocus having three stamens, be- ongs to the class Triandria. 454. Can all plants be easily arranged in distinct tribes 1 455. How are plants arranged in the artificial system 1 450. Describe the corolla of liliaceous flowers. 457. What is said of the stamens of liliaceous plants ? 458. What is sail of the germ? 459. Of the root or bulb ? 460 Ot the calyx, steins, leaves, &e. ? Oh. XVIII.] CLASSIFICATION. 100 CRUJIFORM FLOWERS. 461. These are such flowers as have a calyx consisting ut four leaves, and a corolla composed of four petals ; each petal is fastened to the receptacle or bottom of trie calyx by a narrow part called the claw. In the centre of the flower is a single pistil long and cylindrical; the stigma is oblong, and duided into two parts, which are reflexed or bent back on each side. Each petal is placed between two leaves of the calyx ; this al- teinate position is always seen in flowers where the number of petals equals the number of leaves of the calyx. 462. The cruciform flowers have six stamens, two of which, standing opposite to each other, are shorter than the remaining four t which always stand in pairs. This inequality in their length determines them to be in the class Tetradynamia. 463. The germ soon becomes a long pod, called a silique, 01 a short, thiclTone, called silicula ; this difference in the length of the pods constitutes the distinction of the two orders of the .jlass in which they are placed. 464. The plants belonging to this class are herbaceous, tbt leaves are alternate; the Cabbage, the Mustard, the Radish and Stock-gilly-flower, belong to this family. They are un a chymical analysis, to contain some sulphur. 461. What are cruciform flowers] 46-2. What is said of their stamens'? 4G3. What, is said of the germ 1 464. What of the leaves, Ac. t 10 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. Fig. 69. jCh. XV III. L i&b. Fig. 69, A represents a flower of the cruciform family ; a- J3, may be seen the stamens arranged in two sets, the four at a being longer than the two at b ; at c, are two glands be- tween the short stamens and the gorm ; at C, is a petal, con- sisting of a. the border, and 6, the cla^ ; at /), is the pod o silicle ; a, represents the valves. 6, the seeds, as alternately at cached to the edges of the partition or dissepiment which di vides this kind of pericarp into two cells. * \S PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. 466. These are so called from a Latin word vapilio, a butter- fly, on account of the supposed resemblance between them and that insect ; they are generally flowers with brilliant colouring, and of a showy appearance. The sweet-pea may be given as an example ; this unites to delicacy of colour and beauty of form, a highly fragrant perfume. AK7. The flowers belonging to this natural family are so pe- culiar in appearance as to make them easily recognized. The Rose, the Pink, and the Bell-flower, are regular in their form, that is, there is a symmetry and equality in their parts. Irre- 465. What does Fig. 69 represent 1 466. Describe the papilionaceous flowers 467. Are thc-.se flowors regulai 1 Ch XVIU.J CLASSIFICATION. Ill gular corollas are various in their lorms ; tue papilionaceous seem, as they stand upon their stem, to consist of an upper ami under part. 468. In examining a flower of this kind, a Pea, for example, you should first observe the calyx, this is monosepalous, that is, one entire sepal, ending in five distinct leafy points ; the two upper ones wider than the three under ones. The calyx bends towards the lower part, as does also the peduncle, or little stalk which supports it. The peduncle is very flexible ; so that the flower readily avoids facing a current of air, and turns its back u> the wind and rain. 469. In examining the corolla, you will see that it is polype- talous. The first piece is a large petal covering the others, and occupying the under part of the corolla ; it is called the stand- ard or banner. This petal is evidently designed, to protect the stamens and other parts of the flower, from the injuries ot the weather. Upon taking off the banner you will find that it is inserted by a little process, or projecting part, into the side pieces, so that it cannot be easily separated by winds. The ban- ner being taken off, the two side pieces to which it adhered are exposed to view; these are called the wings ; they are strong- *y inserted into the remaining part of the corolla, and their use appears to be, that of protecting the sides of the flower. Upon taking off the wings, you will discover the last piece of the co- rolla, called, on account of its form, the keel, or boat. This covers and protects the stamens and pistils. 470. Upon drawing the keel downwards, you will find ten stamens ; they are joined together by the sides of their filaments, appearing like a cylinder surrounding the pistil. 471. One of these stamens, however, does not adhere to the rest ; but as the flower fades and the fruit increases, it separates and leaves an opening at the upper side, through which the germ can extend itself by gradually opening the cylinder. In the early stage of the flower, this stamen will seem not to be separated ; but by carefully moving it with a pin or needle, its filament will be found unconnected with the other nine. 472. Most of the papilionaceous plants belong to the class iXadelphia, order Decandria. But if the flower, although pa- pilionaceous, should have ten stamens all in one set, it is then placed in the class Decandria. According to this arrange- ment, a very striking natural family of plants is widely sepa- 468. "What are the appearances presented by a pea flower ? 4t>9. What may be seen by examining the corolla of a pea 1 470. How many stamens does this flower contain'? 471. Do they all adhere together'? 472. To what class do most of the papilionaceous flowers beloLg? 1 12 BOTANY FOH BEGINNERS. [Oh. XIX. rated, a part being taken from the 16th class and carried to the 10th. 473. The germ of the papilionaceous plant extends itself in- to that kind of pod called a legume. The term Leguminous, which is taken from the fruit, as Papilionaceous is from the lower, is applied to the family of plants we are considering. 474. In this family we find the fine tahle vegetables, Beans and Peas, the useful medicinal plant, Liquorice, the fine colour- ing Indigo, the fragrant Clover, so grateful as food to many of- the domestic animals ; the splendid Locust tree, the elegant Lu- pine, and the delicate and odoriferous Sweet-pea. CHAPTER XIX. Natural Families. Labiate Plants. 475. The flowers belonging to the labiate family are mone> petalous, consisting of one piece, and are irregular in their obi line and appearance. 476. The term Labiate, derived from a Latin word labia, lips, has been given, on account of the flower appearing to be divided at the top into two parts, resembling the lips of a horse or other animal. See Fig. 47. 477. This natural family is sub-divided mtoringent and gap- ing, where the entrance into the corolla is open, and personate or masked, where the corolla is closed by a prominent throat or palate. 478. The labiate flowers have mostly four stamens of unequal length, standing in pairs, beneath an arch in the upper lip of the corolla. On account of this circumstance, they are ranked in the class Didynamia. A few of the Labiate plants have but two stamens, and on that account, are placed in the class Dian- dria, as the sage and mountain-mint. Here again the artificial system separates a tribe, which nature has made strikingly simi- lar. If you examine a flower of this family, the Balm or Cat- mint, you will notice the arched upper lip of the petal covering tne stamens, and that the lower lip hangs down so that you can sec 473. What does .the germ of the papilionaceous plants become 1 474. What are some of plants found in this family ] 475. What is said of the flowers belonging to the labiate family 1 476. Why ar,e they called labiate 1 477. How is this iamily sub-divided 1 478 What ; s said of the stamens of labiate flowers, and to whai lass do these fowers belong 1 Cil. XIX.~| CLASSIFICATION. 113 the inside of the corolla. If you pull out the corolla you will take the stamens along with it, the filaments being attached IG it, as they usually are to monopetalous corollas. The corolla has a small aperture at the base, through which the pistil grew from the receptacle. 479. You have already been informed that the Labiate flow- ers belong chiefly to the class Didynamia. The ringent divi- sion of plants belongs to the order tTymnospermia, having four seeds, lying naked in the calyx. The personate division belongs to the order Angiospermia, having the seeds inclosed in a cap- sule until they are ripe, when the capsule opens spontaneously and disperses them. 480. The ringent flowers generally grow in whorls or circles, and at the upper part of an angular stem, the leaves standing opposite. These plants are never poisonous. Among them we find many aromatic plants, the Peppermint, Lavender, Savory, Maiorum, Thyme, &c. ; also many herbs which are useful in sickness, as Pennyroyal, Catmint, Horehound, &c. 481. The personate division affords some very splendid flow- ers, as the beautiful Gerardia, ,r American Foxglove, and the magnificent Bignonia, (Trumpet flower.) The plants of this order seem to be somewhat allied to those of the class Pentan- dria. in many of these, as in the Snapdragon, (Antirrhinum,) the Pentstemon, &c., there exists the rudiments of a fifth sta- men, in accordance with the five divisions of the calyx and co- rolla. Some plants of this division of the Labiate family are poisonous, as the Foxglove and the Snapdragon. UMBELLATE PLANTS. 482. The plants of this natural family are found in the arti- ficial class Pentandria ; they derive their name from the Latin word umbella, an umbrella, on account of the manner in which the peduncles of the flower stalks spread out from the main stem. See Fig. 56, b. 483. The umbellate plants are mostly herbaceous, those which grow on dry ground are aromatic, as Dill, Fennel, and Caraway : those which grow in wet places, or the aquatic spe- cies, are among the most deadly poisons, as Water-Hemlock, &c. Plants of this family are not in general so beautiful to the 479. What are the orders in this class 7 480. What is said of the ringent flowers'? 481. What is said of the personate division? 48-2. In which class are th^ umbellate flowers found and from whence then do they take iheir name 't 483. Describe these plants. 1M BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. _Ch. XIX sight, nor so interesting as many others. The corolla is supe- rior, or over the germ, consisting of six petals, usually with a stamen standing between each petal. From the centre of the flower arise two styles, which often remain permanent upon the fruit. 484. The general figure of the fruit is oblong or oval ; it separates perpendicularly into two seeds, as may be seen in the Fennel or Dill. The figure, margin, and angles of the seeds are considered as affording proper characters of the genera ; as in the Parsnip they are flat, in the Carrot bristly, in the Hem- lock marked with ridges. Among the plants of this family which are used as articles of food, are .the Carrot, Parsnip, Celery, and Parsley ; the aromatics are Dill, Fennel, Sweet Cicely, Caraway, and Coriander; and among the poisonous plants, are the Conium, (Poison Hemlock,) Water-Parsnip, and the Cicuta, (Water-Hemlock.) . COMPOUND FLOWERS. 485. The flowers of this family begin to blossom in the latter part of summer, and are found almost bordering upon the verge of winter. The Dandelion is among the earliest flowers of spring, and one of the latest of autumn. The Daisy, in its na- tive country, is found in almost every spot which exhibits any marks of fertility; but with us is no where found except in gardens. 486. The Dandelion is not a single flower like a violet ur rose, but a crowded cluster of little flowers. The Sunflower is so large and. conspicuous, as doubtless to have frequently at- tracted your notice. If you examine one carefully, you will find it to be composed of more than a hundred florets or little flow- ers, each as perfect in its kind as a lily, having its corolla, sta- mens, pistils, and seed. 487. We distinguish the Sunflower into two parts the disk, which is the middle of the flower, and supposed to have a re- semblance to the middle or body of the sun ; the ray is the bor- der of the flower, it contains those florets which spread out from the disk as rays of light diverge from the sun. The florets in this, as in other compound flowers, do not all begin to expand at the same time, they usually begin at the disk, and proceed in- wards towards the centre. 484. What is observed of the fruit of the umbellate plants 7 485. What is said of the blossoming of compound flowers 1 480. How do the dandelion and sunflower differ from the violet and rose ? 467. Into what two parts would vou distinguish the sunflower 1 Cli &IX.] CLASSIFICATION. 115 4^8. If you examine with a microscope one of the florets of the disk, you will perceive it to be tubular, containing one pis- til, surrounded by five stamens, the styles of which are separa- rate, but the five anthers grow together, fcrming a tube around the pistil. It is this union of anthers which gives to compound flowers a place in the class Syngenesia, which name signifies anthers growing together. 489. The florets of the ray are called neutral, having neither stamens nor pistils ; the circumstances of its having neutral florets in the ray, places the Sunflower in the order Frustranea of the 17th class. 490. Although the term compound is applied to the flowers of the class Syngenesia, the real circumstance on which the class is founded is not the compound character of the flower, but the union of anthers. 491. A Clover blossom, in one sense, may be said to be com- Vound. as it is a collection of many little flowers compounded ^>r united into one; but each little floret of the clover has its owa calyx ; there is no general calyx inclosing the whole, as in most of the Syngenesious plants, but the florets are arranged in such a manner as to form a head; the anthers are separate, the rilaments are connected at their sides, and this latter circum- stance, together with the papilionaceous form of the corolla, places the clover in the class Diadelphia. 492. Most of the Syngenesious flowers are composed of two sorts of florets; they are either tubular, or strap shaped, (ligu- Ltite,) appearing flat like a strap, both kinds are toothed at the edge ; the iigulate are sometimes called Semiflorets, or half flowers. 4S8. What is the appearance of the florets of the disk when exam- ined by a microscope 1 . 489. Why are florets of the ray c^led neutral? 490. Is the class Syngenesia founded on the compound character of flowers 7 491. Why does not the clover belong to this class 492. What two sorts of florets are generally fcunc. in Syngenesiou; tlanrs 1 BOTANY FOR BLGINNEKS. Analysis of the Daisy. fCh. XIX Fig. 70. We have, at Fig. 70, a representation ol the Mountain Daisy; we will now consider the appearance of its different parts. 493. 1. The Root, a y you will observe this answers to the descrip- tion ofjibrous, as small thread-like parts issue from the main root, or radio:. 494. 2. The Leaves, b ; these, you observe, spring from the root, and are hence called radical ; being undi- vided, they are called simple. In form they are somewhat oval, with the narrow end towards the stem; this form is called obovate. The leaves are said to be crenate, on account of their scolloped rnar- a S ins - 495. 3. The Stem, c, is called a scape, because it springs di- rectly from the root, and bears no leaves. 496. 4. The Calix, d, is said to be hemispherical, or a half sphere ; it is common, that is inclosing many florets ; the leafets of the calyx, sometimes called scales, are equal, or 01 the same size. 497. 5. The Corolla, e, is compound, having many florets on one receptacle, radiate, having rays ; the florets of the disk 493. What kind of root has the daisy 7 494. Describe its leaves. 495. What kind of stem has the daisy 7 496. Describe its calyx. 497. Describe the corolla. Cli. XIX ) CLASSIFICATION. .77 are tubular (Fig. 71, a); they have both stamens and pistils ; Fig. 71. they are funnel-shaped, and five toothed; the florets of the ray 1 Fig. 71, b, are flat, and have pis- tils without stamens. 498. 6. The Sfamens, c, are five, united by their anthers, forming a tube. . 499. 7. The pistil, in the disk florets, through the tube fcrm-ed by the anthers, d; the stigma is parted into two divisions which are rejlexed (bent back) ; the pistil in tht ray through the tube of the floret. 500. S. The Daisy has no pe- ricarp, or seed vessel, the seeds grow upon the receptacle, e, they ? re single and shaped some- what like an egg ; they are also naked, that is, destitute of the downy plume called egret, which is seen upon the dandelion, and many other of the syngenesious plants. A/ 501. 9. The receptacle is conical, or in shape resembles a sugar-loaf. It is dotted with little holes : these are the places in which the seeds were fixed. The appearance of the recepta- cle, whether naked or chaffy, is very important to be observed m the syngenesious plants; it sometimes constitutes a distinc- tion between genera. 502. The botanical name of the daisy is BELLIS perennis. It. belongs to class 17th, Syngenesia, because the anthers are united ; order 2d, Superflua, because the pistils in the ray are superfluous, or have no stamens. The generic name Beitis, is perhaps from the Latin Avord bellus, handsome ; the specific name, perennis, signifies that it is a perennial plant, or one whose roots live several years. 503. The common name, daisy, is derived from a property which many of the syngenesious plants possess, of folding up their petals at the setting of the sun, and expanding them with its rising. The poet Chaucer, who lived in the fourteenth cen- tury, is said to have first noticed this circumstance, and to hav 498. Describe its stamens. W9. How is the pistil situated ? 500. Where do the seeds grow 7 501. Describe the receptacle of the daisy. 502. What is the botanical name and clarification of the daisy 1 503. Why wa this flower called daisy 1 118 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Oh. XX. called the flower Day's-eye. The French name lor tbe daisy is La belle Marguerite. CHAPTER XX. Class 1st Class 2nd. 504. You have now been made acquainted with many impor- tant principles in the science of Botany. You were first taught the names of the different parts of a flower; then how to find to what class, order, genera, and species, some particular plants belonged ; and after that, <ill the classes and orders were ex- plained. We then took up the subject of plants generally, and considered them as respects their various organs, as the root, stem, leaf, &c. ; this part of the study is often called elementary Botany, while the study of classes and orders is called syste- matic Botany. 505. The different families of plants, as they seem distinguish- ed by nature, were next considered. It is to be hoped that you now understand clearly the difference between natural fami- lies^ and artificial classes ; viz. that the former, such as the families of lilies, roses, &c. are distinguished by characters which may be noticed by all observers ; while the latter are founded upon circumstances which botanists have agreed to found their classifications upon. 506. In pursuing the study of Botany, it is necessary that you should have a great deal of practice, in the systematic part; ny plants, and be careful ta collect and examine flowers. We shall now consider some of that is, that you should analyze many plants, and be caref the classes and orders in a more particular manner, and give examples of plants which belong to them. 504. What is said of the different principles which you have now Deen made acquainted with! 505. What do you understand to be the difference between Natural Famdies and Artificial Classes ? 506. What is said of practice in Botany? Ch. XX.] CLASSES AND ORDERS. \W CLASS 1. MONANDRIA.* One stamen. It contains two orders. 607. The first order of the first class is Monogynia^ or OJJP pistil. There are few plants in this class; the genus Hippu- ris, or mare's tail, which grows in water and marshes, and ia therefore aquatic, belongs here. It is considered a perfect flower, because it has a stamen and pistil, though it has neither calyx nor corolla. Fig. 72. 508. Look at Fig. 72, and you wil see at a, that the stem is erect and simple; the leaves linear, cccule, and growing in ichorls. At 6, is a representation of a flow- er of this plant as seen through a mi croscope ; the germ is egg-shaped ; the style is long and awl-shaped; the stigma is small and pointed ; the an- ther is large, and connected to the germ by a short filament. You must study the explanations and look at the figure until you cap tell the different parts as represented.^ 509. Southern countries have some very valuable plants o! this class; as the Arrow-root, which, when made into gruel, is nourishing to the sick; persons have sometimes lived for weeks upon this ; it has been found very beneficial for feeble children who could not bear milk. This substance looks like starch, and is prepared by wetting it first with a little cold water, and then pouring upon it boiling water in the same manner as for making starch. 510. The Ginger is botanically called Zinziber, a nam * Here the pupil can consult pages 24 and25, where he will find that Monos is the Greek for one, and andria for stamen ; therefore the 1st class is called Monandria, because it has one stamen. For an expla- nation of the names of the orders, he rnusi look to Chap. V. It is re- commended to the teacher to examine the pupil closely upon the classes and orders, and especially the derivation of the terms by which they fire designated. 507. What is said of the 1st order of the class Monandria'? 508. What does Fig. 72 represent 7 509. What is said of the Arrow-root * 510 What is said of Ginger 1 '20 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Cll. XX which is said to be of Indian origin, the plant jeing a native of the West Indies. It is placed in the class and order we are now considering, because it has but one stamen and one pistil Its flowers are beautiful, and highly odoriferous. It is the rooi o*' this plant which affords the ginger powder, so much u?ed in making gingerbread, beer. &c. The roots are first dried, then ground ; but impositions are often practised by mixing some less valuable substance with the ground ginger. It is therefore Desi to buy it in the root. The fresh root of ginger is made into sweetmeats in the West Indies ; these are often brought to the United States, and kept by nice housekeepers in order to add a flavour to other preserves. 511. ORDER 2. DIGYNIA; this has one stamen, and two pis- tils. We here find Blitum ; it has no corolla. Look at Fig. 72, at c you will find a representation of this flower; its calyx is deeply three parted ; the germ resembles a berry, and is crowned bv the two reflexed styles. CLASS II. DIANDRIA. Two stamens. Order Monogynia, one pistil. 512. For an example in this class and order, you have here a representation of the blossom of the Lilac, of which the sci- entific name is Syringa^ said to be derived from a Turkish word signifying pipe, the stems of pipes being sometimes made of the roots'of the plant. 511. What is the name of the 2d order, and what plant is described under it '? 512, What plant is spoken of under the 1st order of the class Dion- dri 1 Ch. XX. 1 CLASSES AND ORDERS. 121 Fig. 73. 513. Fig. 73, at a, shows a flower of the lilac ; the corolla is salver form, having a flat four-parted border, spread- ing from a tube. You might at first suppose the lilac to consist of four pe- tals ; but if you should, in a real flower, attempt to separate them, you would find the whole united, and that it is monopetalous In flowers of one pe- tal, the stamens are generally fasten- ed to the corolla; where there are several petals, the stamens are usually attached to the receptacle. At b the lilac is represented as if cut length- wise, to show the two stamens stand* ing opposite to each other, and attached to the corolla. 514. The flowers of the lilac are crowded together in that form of inflorescence which is called a thyrse. This flower, although so common, is an exotic. There are two species, which are frequently to be met with in this country ; the most common is the vulgaris, which has broad heart-shaped leaves ; thepersica, or Persian, has lanceolate leaves. The word lilac is derived from the Persian, and signifies a flower. These plants are shrubs, and distinguished by large showy thyrses of fragrant purple or white flowers. \ > 515. The Veronica, or* Speedwell, is found in America, though there are here but a few species of it, compared to those of Europe. It has a wheel-shaped corolla, deeply four-cleft, with the lower part somewhat smaller than the others, as may be seen at Fig. 73, c ; the two stamens and the pistil may be seen in the picture. The beccabunga is one of the most com- mon American species of this genus ; it is found on the bor- ders of brooks and in ditches. The petals are blue, but very soon turn black; yet although this plant does not make a hand- some appearance in an herbarium, it is desirable to obtain it, as there are so few specimens of this class and order. One species of this genus, the alpina^ is common to the Highlands of Scotland ; another species is found only upon the Che\ jot Hills between England and Scotland. Various species of it abound in Wales and other parts of Great. Britain. 516. The Circcea is represented at Fig. 73, d; the calvx s 513. What does Pig. 73 represent 1 514. What farther is said of the lilac 7 515. Describe the Veronica. M6 Describe the Circaea. I] 122 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. XX. monoseDalous, or has but one leaf, it is divided into two parts, which are reflexed; the corolla has two petals; the germ is below the calyx. This is a very small perennial plant which grows in shady places ; its blossom is white, and remarkable for the symmetry of its parts, having two stamens, two petals, a calyx with two divisions ; a capsule with two cells, each of which contains two seeds. Its common name is Enchanter's night shade ; this plant is common about the shores of the Cumberland lakes *n England, and the Highland glens of Scot- land, as well as ia the United States. 517. The O/oa, or olive, is said to derive its scientific name from a Latin word signifying oil. This plant is an evergreen tree which grows to Ihe height of twenty or thirty feet ; it is common on the rockj of Palestine, and travellers say it is still found upon the spot called the Mourn of Olives. It is possible that the very tree whicn once aflbr led shade to our Saviour may be still living, since there is '.',! son to believe that there art trees now in existence, of which Pliny, who lived near the lime of Christ, makes mer.tion. 518. ORDER 2. DIGYNIA; two pistils. To illustrate this or- der Ave shall mention the Anthoxanthum, or sweet-seemed spring-grass; this blossoms in M*ay. and when drying, diffuses the pleasant* and refreshing smell \- 'uliar lo new mown hay. This plant is not classed with the othf.-r grasses, which are most *v in the third class, because it has b i 1 two stamens. 519. ORDER 3d. TRIGYNIA, three pistils. We here find the g'3ims Piper, the name of which is derived from the Hindoo word pippul. It is a climbing plant which is supported upon poles ; thus the pepper plantations of the East Indies bear a re- semblance to the hop fields of New England. The Piper Ni- grum, or black pepper, is that species which is most used in commerce, and which furnishes the spice daily used upon our tables. Black pepper was known in commerce in the most re- mote ages. The Greeks and Romans obtained it from Asia. It has been introduced into the hot region of America ; where it grows as well as in its native country. 520. Another species of pepper is the betel; the leaves ot t x is plant are used in the East Indies, to 'enclose slices of a palm nut called the areca nut, thus prepared for the purpose of chewing ; the natives of that country esteem it a great luxury 517. Describe the Olive. 518. What plant is described under the 2d order? 519. What is described under the 3d order 1 520. Of what genus is the betel nut ? Ch. XXI.] CLASSES AND ORDERS. 123 using it as Americans do tobacco. Those who have read the Lady of the Manor, Stories on the Church Catechism, and other works of Mrs. Sherwood, as well as those of ot\ei vri- ters on the manners and customs of the people of InJr*, w'l re- collect the betel nut. CHAPTER XXL Class 3d Class 4=th. CLASS III. TRIANDRIA, three stamens. Order 1st, Monogynia, om pistil. 521. This picture re}repen t\\ A flowers of this class and order. At a is a flower of the genus Ixia, (from the Greek ixios, blue,) the common name of which is blackberry-lily, though the blackberry-lily common in our gardens is of an orange colour ; at b is the same flower cut lengthwise to show the .three stamens ; this is not a liliaceous flower, notwithstanding its common name, as such flowers have six stamens. Fig. 74, at c, represents the Nardus, or mat-grass : this flower differs from those of the common grass- es in having but one pistil. 522. The Crocus is among our earliest garden flowers ; its &ame is derived from ancient Mythology, which pretended that a youth of that name was transformed into this plant. 523. The species of crocus called vernus (a name which sig- nifies spring) sometimes appears as early as March, and often springs up amidst surrounding snow banks ; it is of various co- lours, purple, straw coloured, yellow, and variegated. This is a nilbous plant, with linear leaves, a spatha calyx, and a corolla of six petals. 524. One species of the Crocus, the autumnalis, blossoms late in autumn ; the large yellow stigmas, furnish the true saf- fron which is sold by druggists. The plant commonly known among us as the saffron, is a compound flower, and belongs tu 5-21. What does Fig. 74 represent 7 5*2-2. What is said of the Crocus with respect to the derivation of its name 1 5*23. Describe the Crocus vernus. 524. Describe the Crocus autumnalis, 124 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XXI Che Ciuss Syngenesia ; it is the fine yellow petal? of the latter rtlach produce the colour used in dyeing; these possess medici- nal properties. 525. The 7r?>, is one of the most common of our garden plants ; several species are found in meadows and damp grounds. The common name is flower de luce, which is a cor- ruption of the French fleur de //,s-, or flower of the lily. 526. This was formerly the national emblem ef France, as the rose was of England. It was adopted in 1179 by Louis VII ; after this, some kings of the house of Bourbon began to use upon their seals and coat of arms, three of these flowers. 527. When, on the fall of the Bourbon family, Napoleon be- came emperor of the French, he adopted the Roman Eagle for his emblem. The standard for his army was a gilt-eagle ele- vated upon a long staff; it appeared seated, and with its wings folded, according to the Roman manner of representing this bold and resolute bird. The American Eagle stands, with outspread wings, as if still soaring aloft, and protecting the striped banner which is below him. 528. After the ruin of Napoleon, and the restoration of the Bourbon family to the throne of France, the eagle was put down, and the fleur de Us, or Iris, restored to its ancient ho- nours ; the friends of the restored Bourbons were every where seen with this flower in the button-hole of the coat. 529. When in 1S30, a new revolution drove from France its Bourbon king, Charles X, thefleur de Us was again in disgrace, and palaces and public works adorned with this emblem were destroyed without mercy. Some have supposed that the white lily is the national flower of the French, but it is undoubtedly the white Iris which is thus distinguished. 530. You will find the Iris a curious and interesting plant to analyze, which, after what you have now learned respecting the plant, I hope you will feel induced to attempt. The name Iris is so called from iris, the rain bow, on account of the variety of colours which this flower reflects. Purple, blue, orange, yei- low, and white, are often seen shading into one another in some species. The most common Iris is that which is found in marshes, and known by the name of Blue flag, and sometimes Poison flag. 525. Give an account of the Iris. 52ti. Who adopted this flower as a national emblem 1 527. When was the Roman Eagle substituted for the Fleur de lis' 528. When. was the Iris restored to its ancient honours ? f 29. How was the fleur de Us regarded after the revolution of 1830 1 530. Why is the Iris so called 1 Oh. XXL] / CLASSES AXD ORDERS. 1^5 531 ORDER 2, DIGYNIA, two pistils. We here find the impor- ant family of grasses, of which there are many different gene- ra. They are distributed throughout the globe, and furnish many of the most useful vegetables for man and beast. 532. Among the most useful of the grass family, are wheat, rye, barley, oats, Indian corn, and rice, besides meadow-grass and those kinds which are eaten by cattle. 533. Indian corn, though it is ranked with the grasses on ac count of its long and linear leaves, its tibrous roots, and some other particulars, yet it is not placed in the third class, becauso its stamens and pistils are not in the same flower. Rice is placed in the sixth class on account of the number of its sta- mens. You see that natural families are sometimes separated by the artificial classification ; as in th-e second class two grass- es were mentioned, which were placed there on account of hav- ing two stamens. 534. Grasses have fibrous roots, their stems are of that kind called culms, being long, slender, and hollow, and having knots from which arises a long linear or lanceolate leaf surrounding tLe stem like a sheath. 535. The stems of grasses grow internally, or from the centre outwards ; this is. the reverse of what appears in the oak, the Dew wood of which encircles the old. 536. The flowers of the grasses are found in what is called (he ear or head ; and consist of a calyx of two green husks called a glume; within this calyx is the blossom, consisting ot a husk of two pieces ; these husks are the chaff, which is sepa- rated from the seed by threshing. If y.ou observe a blossom ol wheat, or of common meadow grass, you will see three sia mens with large anthers, and two pistils with feathered stig mas. 537. The grasses have no seed vessel, but the seed is con tained within the husks, which gradually open and throw out their contents ; this scattering of the seed is the cause of the very general distribution of grasses. 5 38. Wheat, rye, and oats, are annual plants ; that is, their roots die every year, and the plant is renewed by means of the 531. What important family do we find in the 2d order of tbe :lass T riandria ? 53*2. Which are some of the most useful of the grass family 1 533. Why are not Indian-corn and Rice classed with tne gra,scs ? 534. What is said of the roots of grasses 1 535. What of their stems ? 530. What of their flowers ? 537. Have the grasses a seed vessel! 538. What grasses are annual, and what are perennial 2 11* l<?5 BOTANY KOR I EGINNLRS. [ Ch. XXL seed. The grasses which serve for the subsistence of cattle are mostly perennial ; though the herbage dies at the approach ol winter, the roots live, and are ready to throw out their shoots on the return of spring. 539. Grasses are not recommended for young botanists ro analyze, because it is often difficult to distinguish the different genera, as they appear in many respects very similar, and the flowers are not showy like those of many other plants ; how- ever, you can easily distinguish the different parts of a bunch of grass, viz. : the fibrous root, the culm-like stem, the long and narrow leaves, and the flowers with their green stamens and pistils. 540. There are some coarse grass-like plants, which grow in bogs and marshes, destitute of those nourishing qualities which belong to the grasses generally ; they are known by the name of rushes, sedges, and cat-tails: most of them have tneir sta- mens and pistils on separate flowers, and are therefore placed in the class Mmictcia. CLASS IV. TF.TRANDIA, four stamens. 541. ORDER 1, MONOGYNIA, one pistil. This class presents us with flowers of four stamens of nearly equal length ; there is another class, the 13th, in which the plants have four stamens, but these grow in two pairs of unequal length. Fig. 75. 542. The cut represents at a the stamens, pistils, and four leaved calyx, of the common plaintain ; at 6, those ol the Cornus, or Box- wood ; .at c, is a flower of the Cissus, or false grape, its calyx is very small, (not seen in the cut,) tl>e petals are large and bent back, the filaments are shorter than the petals and crowned with large an- thers. 543. There is a little pale blue flow- er which almost every child in New England knows and loves. It i? known by different names ; some cal 539. A re grasses the best flowers for beginners in botany to analyze } 540. What is said of the grass-like p^nis which grow in bogs and n'arshes'? 541. How does the 4th class differ from the 13th 1 64*2 Wi ->.t does Fig 75 repr-rent J Ch. X XI. J CLASSES AND ORDERS. 127 it Innocence, of which it is no unapt emblem, others term r Forget-me-not ; but as the latter name is appropriated to several other flowers, I would recommend the former. This little flower rises but a few inches from the ground ; it is surrounded by- tufts of leaves clustered around the root ; it grows in great lux- uriance upon sloping banks, dotting the meadows and sides ot rivulets ; often appearing in large patches, which form a soft and fragrant bed; it invites the child weary of play to repose on its flowery turf, and thus it becomes associated with recollec- ions of the playful and happy innocence of early days. 544. A lady of New England, who learnecf Botany at a dis tance from the scenes of her childhood, though she found a great many splendid and beautiful flowers to examine by the aid of her favourite study, was very anxious to meet with the little pale blue meadow-flower which had flourished in such luxuriance around the home of her infancy ; she examined books to find drawings or descriptions of it, and searched the fields for living specimens, but none seemed to answer to the picture in her mind, and she at length gave up the little flower, as a thing of mere fancy, which 4iad mingled with the indis- tinct recollections of early days. But on returning to her na- tive place, as she was riding out one fine day in spring, a mossy bank appeared to her delighted eye, bespangled with the flower of Innocence, and presenting the very image she had so often driven from her mind as a creation of fancy. She alighted, and after feasting her eyes on the sight once so familiar, and enjoying the freshness of the flowery turf, she carefully placed in a book some tufts of the little plant, and on going home, sought out its name and place in botanical arrangement. 545. The lady saw that it had four stamens of nearly equal length, and one pistil, and that it must therefore be described under the fourth class, first order ; the little calyx was four cleft, it supported a corolla having a small tube, and spreading into a flat border with four petal like divisions, which resembled a cross. The little leaves were ovate and radical; and the stem spiead out into small branches, bearing upon them the flowers. Then the lady by examining the different descriptions of plants in this class and order, found that her little favourite was known by botanists by the name of HOUSTONIA cerulcea* the generic name being derived from Houston, the person who first descrih- * Pronounced cerulea. 543. What is said of the flower called Innocence 1 544. What is said of a lady who wished to meet with this dov/er after she had studied Botanv 1 12S BOTANY ,FOP BEGINNERS. . xxn ed it, and the specific name signifying blue, being the Latin term for that colour. I should like to tell you more about the flowers of this class, but as you proceed in your analysis of plants, you will find many pretty wild-flowers which belong here, as well as some splendid green-house plants. / CHAPTER XXII. ^ Class 5th Class 6th. CLASS V. PENTANDRIA, five stamens. Order 1. Monogynia, one pistil. 546. The fifth class is said to include about a tenth part o/ all known species of plants. The flowers of this class have five separate stamens, whi].e those of the class Syngenesia have five stamens whose anthers are united. Fig. 76. 547. Fig. 76. shoAvs you, at #, a flow er called Loose-strife ; this in Botany is known by the generic name Lysimachia, which is derived from Lysimachus, the discoverer of the medical virtues of an ancient plant so named. You may find several different species of this plant in June and July by the sides of brooks and in low meadow-grounds. The flow- ers are wheel-form, and generally yel- low. At 6, (Fig. 76,) is a picture of the blossom of the trumpet honeysuckle, called Lonicera, from Lonicer, a bota nist of the 16th century. This flowei has a very small five-cleft calyx, which is superior or above the germ ; ihe corolla is monopetalous, and tubular ; the tube is oblong, the limb of the corolla is deeply divided into five ~e- volute parts or segments, one of which is separated from the others; the filaments are exserted, the anthers oblong. 545. In what class and order did the lady find the flower of Iniio cence, and what is its botanical name 1 546. What is said of the plants of the fifth class? 547. What does Fig. 76 represent ? CIl. XXII. J C'AS^tiS /^D OR0ER3. 129 548. In the fifth class are to be found some large natural fami- lies of plants; of these 1 shall mention the Axperifolice, from the Latin words asper, rough, and folium, a leaf, signifying rough-leaved plants. In this family are many different genera, all of which have hairy or rough leaves ; the Cynoglossum is so called from the Greek kuon, a dog, and glossa, tongue, the broad oval leaves being thought to resemble a dog's tongue. The common name of the plant is Hound's-tongue. Although this is considered as belonging to the family of rough leaved plants, the hairs of its leaves are soft and downy, like the sur- face of velvet ; it is about two feet high, having panicles of red- dish purple flowers. You must not fail to collect specimens of this plant to analyze ; it is in blossom about the middle of sum- mer, growing by the sides of fences or near roads, and about old buildings. 549. There is a large family of plants in this class, called the Luridte, from lurid, signifying pale or livid, as this is the ge- neral appearance of the plant. In this natural assemblage is the Potato, the blossoms of which you will do well to examine ; the little green balls which grow from the flowers are the pericarps and contain the seed; but the plant is generally produced from the root. 550. The botanical name of the genus in which the potato is found is Solanum, from so/or, to comfort ; because some specie^ in the same genus possess narcotic qualities. You would not expect to find in the same genus with the potato, plants which are highly poisonous, and yet here is the night-shade (SoLi- nuin dulcamara) whose berries are so injurious to life, that thir- ty of them once given to a dog, first drove him mad, and then caused his death, in less thanlhree hours. Children should be very careful not to touch these berries, which are red, and might easily be mistaken for currants, especially as they grow by hedges, where such fruit is often found. It is always unsafe to eat any vegetable production, which is not well known and familiar. 551. In the genus Solanum, are the Tomata, or love apple, and the Egg-plant, which in southern countries are much used in soups and sauces. In our climate, although they may be easily cultivated, they do not appear to attain that richness and perfection which is common in southern latitudes. 552. But the most valuable plant in the genus Solanum i> 548. What is said of the family called Asperifoliae, and of the genu Cynoglossum 7 549. What is said of the fariily called Luridae? 550. What is said of the genus which contains the potato ? 551. What is said of the Tomaia and Egg-plant 1 5;V2. What is the most valuable species in ihe genus Solanum*? 1 30 BOTANY FOR BEGIN MERS. L Ch. XXII the tuberosum^ so called from its tuberous root ; this is out common Potato; it was at first obtained from Peru, where 'I was called batatas. Of the important use now made of the root, of this vegetable, it is unnecessary to remark ; as an arti- cle of food it is scarcely less valuable than bread itself, and indeed is often Used by poor people as a substitute for this article. 553. In the large family Luridse, or lurid plants, is the genua Nicotiana, so called from Nicot, who carried it from America to Europe ; one species of this, Tabaccum, is the Tobacco plant. Here also is found the Datura Stramonium, sometimes called thorn apple, a large, nauseous-scented weed, with angu- lar, dentate leaves. The corolla is funnel-form and five-cleft ; the pericarp is ovate and spinose ; at the base is a portion of the calyx which remains permanent, while the other parts are de- ciduous. In the spring of 1835, a young lady of Vernon, in Vermont, while amusing herself with a walk in the fields, saw some of the last year's pericarps of the Stramonium, ard care- lessly ate a small quantity of the seeds. She was soon seized with spasms, and died after a few hours of excruciating agony. Had she understood Botany, she might have known, from the general appearance of the plant, that it was of a poisonous nature. 554. Amon<r the many plants of the fifth class and first or- der, you will find the mullein, which every child knows by its large woolly leaf, and its high stalk, bearing yellow blossoms in that form which is called a spike. Violets you will find from the earliest days of spring to the verge of winter. In thf fields are white, blue, and yellow violets, and in gardens is the heart's ease, or tri-coloured violet. The grape belongs to this class and order ; the fruit of the plant is probably more fa- miliar to you than the flower, which is small and inconspi cuous. 555. In some species of the grape, the stamens and pistils are on different flowers ; and for this reason this plant has sometimes been placed in the class Diwcia ; but as other species have five stamens and one pistil in the same flower, it is generally thought best to class the whole under Pen tandna. 553. What other genus is mentioned as belonging to the family called Luridae 7 ? 554. What other plants are mentioned as be' onging to this class and order 1 555. Why is the grape sometimes placed in the class Dioacia /h. XXII. 1 CLASSES AND ORDERS. 131 556. ORDER 2, DIGYNIA, two pistils. In this order of the fifth class is a very large natural family of plants, called Umbellifer- ous, or umbellate, from the manner of t *eir inflorescence, which is in the form of an umbel, or umbrella, as you can see in Dill, Fennel, or Carroway. 557. Plants with umbels are to be found every where in sum- mer ; such as are poisonous grow in low, wet ground, as the Poison-hemlock, Cowbane, &c. Some useful table vegetables belong to this family, as Celery, Parsnips, &c. Some of these plants produce seeds useful in medicine and confectionary, as Anise and Coriander. 558. ORDER 3, TRIGYNIA, three pistils. You will find here the Elder, a shrub with delicate, white flowers, growing in clusters called cymes ; children very early learn to know this plant, not only by its flowers, but by its dark red berries, with which they sometimes mischievously stain their clothes and faces. The Snow-ball is a very showy, handsome, and orna- mental shrub ; there is a wild plant which is common in the woods, that is not less beautiful than this ; it is a species of the same genus Viburnum, and is well worth being transplanted to cultivated grounds. 559. ORDER 5, PENTAGYNIA, Jive pistils. The flax is found here. Its botanical name is Linum, so called from a Celtic word, lin, a thread. The blossom of the flax is very pretty; its colour is pale blue, and it stands upon a straight, erect stalk. This is one of the most valuable of the vegetable productions. There are other orders in the fifth class, but we cannot now stop to consider them ; when you have learned what this book contains, your kind parents will be willing to furnish you with the larger volume to which this is an introduction :* in that, you will find a great many interesting facts with respect to p/aftts, that could not be mentioned in so small a book as this CLASS VI. HEXANDRIA, six stamens. .to). ORDER 1, MONOGYNIA, one pistil. In this class are a 5yai many beautiful exotics ; most of which are distinguish * Familiar Lectures on Botany. 55t?. What large family of plants do we meet with in the second order of the sixth class *? 557. Are these plants common ? 558. What plants are mentioned in the 3d order of the class p^nt- tndrial 559. Describe the F'ax. 560. What is said of some of the plants of the 6'h class 1 132 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [ Ch. XXII. ed by having bulbous roots, seeds with but one cotyledon, and stems ^hich grow from the centre outwardly, and are therefore called endogenous. Fig. 77. 561. Fig. 77, represents a flower of the sixth class and first order, called by the ancients Asphodel ; it was con- sidered by them as sacred to the dead, nd made to grow around the tombs. 562. We find in this class and order the family of liliaceous plants, including the various kinds of lilies, tulips, crown- imperial, &c. You have already been made acquainted with the characteris- tics of these plants. 563. The Lily is in Botany called Lilium ; this genus con- sists of many species. The white Lily (Lilium candidum) is perhaps more admired than any other species ; its fragrance is very agreeable, and its corolla of a pure and brilliant whiteness. There are several besides the garden lilies which are much va- lued by florists. You may find in July and August, growing in meadows, two or three wild lilies ; one has large orange flowers spotted with yellow and brown, and another with yellow flowers. 564. I will here tell you the distinction between a florist and botanist the former cultivates flowers for their beauty, and may know nothing of their scientific arrangement; the latter exa- mines them with reference to their various scientific characters, and is often as much delighted with finding a little, obscure, wild flower, as the florist is when he meets with some splendid exotic. It is very strange that all florists should not wish to be botanists. 565. Tulips are usually great favourites with florists, who de- light in producing varieties in their colours by different modes of cultivation, and also in obtaining double flowers by a pecu- liar method of culture. Although the petals of the tulip in its natural state are but six, yet by care in its cultivation, it may, like the rose, be brought to produce many petals. 566. In this class and order are some tropical plants, whose fruits are very valuable in their native regions, the Genus 561. What does Fig. 77 represent 1 562. What plants belong to the familj of Liliaceous plants 1 563. What is said of the Lily 1 564. \Vnat is the difference between a florist and a botanis: f 565. What flower is a great favourite with florists'? 566. What is said of the Plantain tree! Ch. XXII. | CLASSES AND ORDERS. 133 Musa, affords the Plantain and Banana trees, whose leaves and fruit are of great size. The Plantain trees grow to the height of twenty feet, having leaves about six feet long and two broad. Some of these trees in a plantation will not fail to be in bearing at every season of the year, so that the inhabitants of the countries which produce them are in no danger of per- ishing for want of food. The fruit when used as bread is roasted or boiled ; it is also made into pies, or dried and preserved as a sweet meat. Three dozen of plantains we considered as suffi- cient food for a man during a week, and it is said will support him better than bread. 567. The fruit of the Banana is not unlike the cucumber in form and size ; when ripe it is soft and pleasant to the taste. It is introduced at desserts at the tables of the rich in the West Indies ; and is much used as an article of food among the poor- er classes of people. How kind, my dear children, is Provi- dence, in thus causing the earth to bring forth cooling and nourishing fruits and refreshing shades in those parched and burning countries ! 568. The Aloe belongs to the class and order we are consi- dering ; there are a great many species of it ; some grow but a few inches high, and others to the height of tall trees. The Aloe is a native of hot countries. The Negroes of the West- ern coast of Africa, make nets of the fibrous parts of the leaves of this plant; the Hottentots use the stem for their arrows. The people of Jamaica obtain materials from the Aloe plant from which they make fishing nets, stockings, and thread. In Mexico, a species of aloe serves for hedges, enclosures, beams for the roofs of houses, and leaves for their covering : its wood and fibres furnish needles and thread, cloth and ropes, while its juices allbrd sugar and vinegar. The juice of aloes was used among Eastern nations in embalming their dead. This plant is often spoken of in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. It is very useful in medicine ; for which purpose it is prepared by pressing from its leaves a gummy substance of an extremely bitter taste, from whence comes the very com- mon comparison, " as bitter as aloes." The Island of Socotra was the first place where this gum was prepared ; hence it was sailed Socotrine aloes, a name which is still in use. Many plants of this genus produce beautiful flowers; some are said not to blossom until they are 100 years old. It is necessary to pass over many interesting plants whick 501 What is said of the fruit of the Banana 7 5G8 Repeat what is said of the Aloe plant. 134 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XXIIL we might name here, as the Lily of the Valley Hyacinth, Scotch hare-bell, &e 569. ORDER DIGYNIA, two pistils. We find here the genus Oryza which contains the Rice; this is a grass-like plant, but, on account of its six stamens and two pistils, is not placed in the same class with most of the grasses. This is a southern production, and one of great importance ; giving food to a great Dortion of the inhabitants of hot countries. CHAPTER XXIII. 7th Class Sth Class 9th Class Wth Class 1UA Class 12th. CLASS VII. HEPTANDRIA, seven stamens. Order 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. Fig. 78. 570. This picture shows a blossom of the Horse-Chestnut, a plant which was introduced from Asia into Europe in the year 1500. It is a small tree, which produces showy panicles ul white and red flowers crowded toge- ther in the form of a pyramid. The botanical name of this plant is ^Escu- lus, from esca, food ; probably from a mistaken idea that its nut might prove valuable as such. The species of ^Es- culus most common with us, is the hippocastanum, which signifies horse- chestnut, being derived from the Greek words of that signification. 571. There are three other orders of the seventh class, but none contain plants which you will be likely to meet with, or which are much celebrated. Belonging to this class and order theie is a very small plant, called chickweed winter green, or Trientalis ; you may find it in woods about the roots of trees in May and June ; the small white flowers are stellate, and on 5f>9. What plant is mentioned in the 2d order of ihe class Hexan- dris? 570. Describe the Horse-chestnut. 571. What ^ said of the Trientalis 1 Jh. XXIII. j CLASSES AND ORDERS. 1H5 slender peduncles, the leaves are six or seven m a terminal whorl. CLASS VIII. OCTANDRIA, eight stamens. ORDER 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil, Fig. 79. 572. This picture shows you a blossom of tne Lady's ear-drop, a very beautiful exotic, whose generic name is Fuschsia, so called from Fusch, a German who discovered it. The part which you would think is the corolla, is the calyx, this is of a beautiful crimson colour ; the petals are purple and rolled around the stamens beneath the calyx. 573. As an example of the eighth class, almost every garden will afford you the Nasturtion, which was originally brought from South America. In examining this plant, you will perceive it has not that regularity of parts which is found in many. It has eight stamens, while the number of its pe- tals is neither four nor eight, but five. The fruit consists of three seeds. The leaf is of a peltate form CLASS IX. ENNEANDRIA, nine stamens. ORDER 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. Fig. 80. 574. The picture presents at a, the Butomiis umbellatus, or Flowering rush ; it has no calyx ; its petals are six. and egg-shaped stamens nine; its germs are six, and therefore bv some botanists it is placed in the sixth order. This plant blossoms in June, and is usually found near the margins of small lakes and ponds, or in ditch- es and low wet grounds ; it has um- bels of pretty rose-coloured flowers. It is spoken of by European botanists as common among them ; but it is not known to be a native of the United States. 575. The genus Laurus belongs to the first order of the ninth 572. Describe the Lady's ear-drop. 573. What is said of the Nasturtion 7 574. What is paid of the Butomus umbellatns 1 575. What is *.|3 of the genus Laurus? What of the Laurus ^o bills 1 36 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Gil. XXIT1. class; the name may be derived from the ancient Celtic, which signifies green, the leaves of this plant being mostly perennia 1 and evergreen ; some suppose it derived from laus, praise, as it was used for crowning victors or poets. One species, the Laurus nobilis^ or noble laurel, is the Bay ol the ancient Romans. They considered it as a peculiar fa vouiite of Jupiter the thunderer, and some wore it as a protection against his thunderbolts. But this, you know, was a ridiculous superstition, like many other notions of the believers in the Grecian mythology, since there is but one living and true God, and to Him all the vegetable creation is equally dear ; He has made plants for the support of man and beast, and for the beau- tifying and refreshing of the earth on which we live that we should love and cherish these His gifts, is undoubtedly agreea- ble to him ; but if we deserve his frowns, no bough of* a plant, nor even the rocks or mountains, can shield us from the effects of His anger But it was before men had learnt from the Bible to worship one God only, that they thus fell into such foolish errors with respect to the Powers in Heaven ; none in Christian countries now adhere to the superstition of the ancients, although there are some who are worse than the heathen, by refusing to be- lieve, although God has revealed himself to men through His Son, who sealed with his own blood the message delivers, to them. 576. The Laurus is an important plant : lor besides the honour and superstitious regard bestowed upon it by the ancients, tt now affords us very important medicines, as well as some of our most valuable spices. 577. The Laurus Camphor is the camphor tree Camphor h obtained from its roots, leaves, and wood. The Laurus Cinamomum is the cinamon tree, whose inner bark or liber furnishes this valuable spice. The Laurus sassafras is the American sassafras tree. Children are fond of the bark of this plant, which is sometimes improperly called saxifax. 578. The third order of the ninth class contains the genus Rheum, or the Rhubarb. Fig. 80, at 6, represents a flower ol this genus. The Rheum palmatum furnishes the medicinal r hubarb, which is obtained from its thick, yellow roots. The Rheum, tartaricum, or sour rhubarb, is much cultivated in gar- dens, and is a useful plant for tarts, which are made from its large, thick, and juicy petioles. 576. Why is the Laurus an important-plant 1 577. Which are some of the species of the genus Laurus? 578. What plant is mentioned as belonging to the third order of the ninth class 1 Ch. XXIII.] CLASSES AND ORDERS. 137 CLASS X. DECANDRIA, ten stamens. ORDER 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. Fig. 81. 579. This cut represents at a, a flow- er of the genus Ruta, (rut;) its calyx is monosepalous ; it has five petals; the germ is large and superior. At & is a flower of the Saxifraga ; one species of this, sometimes called beef-steak geranium, is a very common and hardy green-house plant, with creeping roots and roundish hairy leaves. At c is a flower of the genus Lvdum ; this corresponds with the Saxifraga in the number of its petals ; it is in some parts of Europe valued as a me- dicinal plant. 5SO. In the tenth class, are to be found the wintergreen and the whortleberry ; which are well known to children ; the for mer for its pleasant tasted leaves, and fine red berries, and the latter for its fruit. You must seek for these flowers, they are , very pretty, and easy TO analyze. 581. This class has several orders; the second order contains the pink and some other interesting flowers. The tenth order has the poke-weed, a high- plant, which you find so common by the waysides, with long, broad leaves, and purple berries. 579. What does Fig. 81 at a represent 7 580. What is said of the wintergreen and whortleberry 1 ? 5L What is said of the other orders of this class 1 138 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Cll. XXIl] CLASS XI. ICOSANDRIA, more than ten stamens inserted on the calyx. ORDER 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. Fig. 82. 582. In this class, the number of sta -J-J\ N mens is not regarded, so much as then *" v situation. If you remember what was said about the rose in the 4th chapter, you will understand what is the essen- tial character of this class. The rose, however, does not belong to the first order. 583. In this order we find a genus called CACTUS, one of the species ol which is the Prickly-pear. This con- tains many species ; a very splendid one is the Night-blooming Cereus, (CACTUS grandiflorus,) having flowers nearly a foot in diameter, with the ca- lyx yellow, and the petals white ; the flowers begin to open soon after the setting of the sun, and close before its rising, never again to blossom. Another species, (speciosissimus,) with flowers of the colour of crimson velvet, is said to be still more superb than the grandiflorus. These plants are mostly destitute of leaves, but the stems appear like a series of thick, fleshy leaves, one growing from the top of another. 584. PRUNUS is the genus which contains the various kinds ol the Plum, Cherry, and Sloe: this genus, according to ancient writers, was brought from Syria into Greece, and from thence into Italy. The Roman poets often notice its fruit. We have several native species of it. 585. The Pomegranate is a shrubby tree, which is a native o* Spam, Italy, and Barbary, and flowers from June till September. The Greek writers were acquainted with it, and we. are told by Pliny, that its fruit was sold -in the neighbourhood of Carthage. It is cultivated in England and in the United States ; not on ac- count of its fruit, which does not come to perfection so fur to the north, but for its large and beautiful scarlet flowers, which render it an ornamental pla):t. 582. What circumstance is more regarded in the class Icosandria than the number of stamens 1 583. What is said of the genus Cactus? 584 What is said of the genus Prunus ? 585. Of the Pomegranate ? Ok. XXIII."! CLASSES AND ORDERS l'Jfo 586. The genus AMYGDALUS i ontains the Peach and the Al- mond. The latter is a native 01* warm countries, and seems to have been known in the remotest times of antiquity. ORDER DI-PENTAGYNIA, from two to five pistils. 587. The four orders in the class Ir jsandria which folluw the first, are included under one, called Di-pentagynia, signifying from two to five pistils. We find here the hawthorn, a shrub with deep green foliage, white flowers, and scarlet berries, and with very large and strong thorns. The genus Pyrus which contains the Apple and Pear, belongs here. The varieties of these fruits are the effect of cultivation, not the produce of different species. By means of grafting, which consists in inserting the sprout of one plant into the body or branches of another, gou' J . fruit may be produced upon a tree which before produced a poorer kind. ORDER POLYGYNIA, many pistils. 588. We here find the Rose ; this, in its natural state, contains but five petals ; it is remarkable for its stamens and pistils changing to petals by cultivation. Several species of the Rose are indigenous to North America ; as the small wild rose, the sweet briar, and swarnp rose. Red and while roses are re- markable in English history as emblems of the houses of York and Lancaster; for when those families contended for the crown, in the reign of Henry the Sixth, the white rose distin- guished the partizans of the house of York, and the red those of Lancaster. The Moss rose, ROSA muscosa, has its name from the moss-like substance with which the flower, stem, ant. calyx, are covered ; it is in fact a collection of glands, contain- ing a resinous and fragrant fluid. Roses are favourite plants in all countries where they are found ; but it is remarkable that none have ever been met with growing wild in the southern hemisphere. Among the ancients, particularly the Egyptians, roses were considered as symbols of silence, tor which reason the goddess Isis, and her son Harpocrates, who was the god of silence, were crowned with chaplets of those flowers. The eastern nations, especially the Persian, boast of the beauty and splendour of their roses. 589. The Blackberry, (Rubus,) has a flower resembling the 586. Of the genus Amygdalus! 587. What is said of the order Di-pentagynia, and of some of the p. ants contained in it 1 588. What is said of the Rose genus 7 SiSP Qf the different species of the Rubus ? 11U BOTANY FOR BEGINIS LR:S. [Ch. XX11I, rose in its general aspect: there are several species of the Ru- bus, one of which produces the common Blackberry, another the Red-raspberry, another the Black-raspberry, and another the Dew-berry. One species of the Rubus, the odoratus, produces large and beautiful deep red flowers; the fruit is dry, and not eat- able. 590. The strawberry b. longs to the same natural and artifi- cial order as the Rose ; these genera, with several others, form a natural family, sometimes called, from the appearance of f he flower, Rosaceous plants, and sometimes from the fruit, which is a pome, Pomacese. The gathering of strawberries in the fields, is among thos rural enjoyments of childhood, which in after life are recollect- ed with pleasure, not unfrequently mingled with melancholy re- flections, upon the contrast of that happy season, with the sor- rows with which maturer years are often shaded. Such reflec- tions produced the following beautiful lines from a late female poet.* " The Strawberry blooms upon its lowly bed, Plant of n v native soil! The Lime may Ming, More poteL*: fragrance on the zephyr's wing: The milky Cocoa richer juices shed, And while Guava lovelier blossoms spread ; But not, like thee, to fond remembrance bring, The vanish'd hours of life's enchanting spring. Short calendar of joys forever fled! Thou bid'st the scenes of childhood rise to view The wild wood path which fancy loves to trace, Where, veiled in leaves, thy fruit of rosy hue, Lurked on its pliant stem with modest grace, But, ah ! when thought would later years renew, Alas ! successive sorrows crowd the space." * Helen Maria Williams. fWO, What is said of the Strawberry 1 Ch. XXIII.") CLASSES AND ORDERS." 141 CLASS XII. POLYANDRIA, more than ten stamens inserted oa the receptacle. Fig. 83. 591. In this class we find the sta- mens separate from the calyx, and at- tached to the receptacle or top of the flower stem. The number of stamens in this class varies from ten to some hundreds. This class does not, like the one we have last examined, contain many delicious fruits, hut abounds in poisonous and active vegetables. The mode of the insertion of the stamens is to be regarded in considering the wholesome qualities of plants; it is asserted that no plant with the stamens on the calyx is poisonous ; we Know that many with the stamens upon the receptacle are so. b92. Fig. 83 represents, at a, a flower of the Clematis with ts many stamens growing on the receptacle ; b shows the re- ceptacle with numerous short styles attached to it, c and d re- present a stamen and petal which were inserted on the receptacle below the styles. On account of its many styles, the clematis is placed in the 13th order. ORDER 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. 593. We find here some flowers of a curious appearance, as the Mandrake, or May-apple. This plant is common in moist, shady places, where you may often see several growing toge- ther ; each stem supports a large white flower and two large pel fate palmate leaves ; the fruit is yellow, and eaten by many as a delicacy; the root is used in medicine. 594. The Side-saddle flower (Sarracenia) is a very curious and elegant plant ; it has large leaves proceeding directly from the root. These leaves form a kind of cup, capable of containing a gill or more of water, with which liquid they are usually filled. The stem is of that kind called a scape, growing to the height of one or two feet, bearing a single large purple flower. This plant is found in swamps ; its common name, Side-saddle flower, ia given on account of the form of its leaf. It is sometimes call- 591. What remarks are made respecting Class Polyandria? 592. Describe Fig. 83. 593. What is said of the Mandrake or May-appie 7 594 Describe the side-saddle flower 142 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch XXI11 ed Adam's cup, in reference to the cup of the leaf. The name of the genus Sarracenia, is derived from Mons. Sarrasin, % French physician, who wrote about the natural history of Cana- da. No foreign plant, as an object of curiosity, can exceed this native of our own swamps ; it is well worth the trouble of cul- tivation by those who are fond of collecting rare plants. 595. The White Pond Lily, is a splendid American plant, very fragrant and with a larger leaf than almost any other northern plant. The Yellow Pond Lily, though less showy, is equally curious in its structure. The Poppy is a plant which may be found in almost every garden ; it is a good example of this class. It affords a juice, which on being dried becomes op^im. 596. In the same class and order is iLc Tea plant, (THEA;; of this there are two species, the bohea tea (bohea) and the green tea (viridis.) It is a small evergreen tree or shrub, much branched, and covered with a rough, dark coloured bark. The flowers are white, the leaves are lanceolate and veined, the cap- sule or seed vessel is three celled, it has three seeds, oblong and brown. This shrub is a native of China and Japan. Some suppose, that in reality, all the teas are taken from the same bo- tanical species, and that the different flavour and appearance 01 them depend upon the nature of the soil, the culture, and the method of preparing the leaves. 597. Having mentioned under the first twelve classes some of the most important plants which belong to them, I shall nor attempt to go farther at present ; if you collect flowers, and pre- pare herbariums according to the directions given in the former part of this book, you will soon have some specimens of the 21 classes ; if you love Botany, you will not wait for your parents, and instructors to ask you to collect and study plants, but will seek every suitable opportunity for so doing. How delightful is the sight of a class of young pupils, engaged in examining flowers, each anxious to be the first to discover to what class and order they belong; and yet glad to have others succeed, where they find difficulties ; For true it is that a real and sin- cere love of knowledge, serves to render the disposition more amiable ; and it is for this purpose, and for the sake of leading your hearts to commune with your Maker by rendering you fa miliar with His works, that the friend who has laboured to pre pare this book, is so anxious that you may learn to read and ad mfre the great volume of nature, of which God is the Author. 595. What is said of the Pond Lilies'? 596. Give an account of the Tea plant. 597. Why is the person \vho wrote thi* book, anxious that ycung persons should studv the works of God 1 EXERCISES IN PRACTICAL BOTANY. The following descriptions of Genera and Species have selected from " Familiar Lectures on Botany/' for tne purpose of furnishing to the Beginner a series of Practical Exercises. Care has been taken to introduce such plants as Teachers can easily procure from the gardens and fields for their classes and which are the most simple for analyses. DIRECTIONS FOR PRONOUNCING THE NAMES OP PLANTS. BOTANICAL names of plants are formed according to the an- alogies of the ancient languages, chiefly the Latin. Some of the most common terminations of names of Genera and Species are a, um, us, and is ; for example, the generic names, GERAR- DIA, TRIFOLITJM, PRUNUS, arid IRIS ; and the specific names vir- ginica. candidum, blandus, and qfficin'alis. A great propor- tion 01 Botanical names terminate in a, in which case it has the sound of a in father, as Rosa, Viola, &c. The letter e at the end of a word is always to be sounded for example, Anemone, pronounced anem'-o-ne. The e is long before s when it ends a word, as Bicor" nr.s oronounced Bicornees. In words that end in ides, the i. is long, as in Ilesper' idex. The vowels ae and oe, are often used as diphthongs, and then have the sound of e, as Hepaticce, pronounced Hepat'-i-ce, and /)i-cp.cia, pronounced Di-e-cia. Cand g, as in English, are soft before e, ?*, and t/, and hard before a, o, and u. The soft sound of c, is like 5, the hard sound like k. The soft sound of g, is like j, the hard sound like g, in the word gave ; thus Algae is pronounced Alje. Musci is pro- nounced MussL The letters ch, are hard like k, as in Orchis ; pronounced Or-kis. Explanation of Letters and Characters. The letter o, when affixed to the specific description, stands for the Latin omnibus locis, in all places, meaning that the plant is common ; r denotes that the colour of the tiower is red. p. purple y. yellow w. white b. blue g. green Ap. denotes that the flower blossoms in April M. May J. June Ju. July Au. August S. Septembep~-Oc. October Var. stands for I'ariety. 144 BOTANY FOR BEGIIVKLRS. The ioilowing characters denote the duration of a 'plant. <v) annual cT biennial 7J. perennial 17 woody. Accent and quantity. The marks over the generic and specific names have referee" Dot 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'-ri-a ; those over which the double mark is placed, have the vowel pronounced short, as in He-pat"-i-ca ; in the latter case, the stress of voice seems thrown upon the consonant : the two marks may, there- fore, be considered as indicating that the consonant, as well as vowel, is accented. The general rule respecting words of two syllables is simple, and renders it unnecessary to prefix to such words the marks for accent and quantity. Words of two syllables always have tne accent on ihejirst, 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. NOTE It would be well for the teacher to request the pupil to com- mit to memory the directions for pronouncing the name of plants the signification of the letters and to observe particularly the marks a^ed to point out accent and quantity. DESCRIPTION OF GENERA OF PLANTS. CLASS i. MONANDRIA. One Stamen. Order L Monogynia. One pistil. SALICOR"NIA. Calyx inflated, entire, 3 or 4-sided, obconic ; corolla 0; style 2-cleft ; seed 1, enclosed in the calyx. (samphire.) Order 2. Digynia. Two pistils. RLI'TUM. Calyx 3-cleft, or 3-parted, berry-like : corolla 0: seed 1, 'immersed in the calyx. (blite.) CLASS n. DiAtfDRiA. Two Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Corolla l-petaled, inferior, regular ; seeds in a drupe or nut. CHFONAN"THUS. Calyx 4-parted; corolla 4-parted, with very long divisions: nucleus of the drupe, striate-fibrous. (fringe-tree.)* Exotic. J.AS"MINUM. Corolla salver-form, 5 to 8 cleft : berry 2-seeded, ea^D seed solitary, arilled. (jasmine.) SYRIN'"GA. Corolla salver-form : capsule 2-celled. (lilac.) B. Corolla l-petaled, inferior, irregular ; seeds in capsules. VEROX"ICA. Calyx 4-parted: corolla cleft into 4 lobes, lower divi- sion smaller: capsule obcordate, few-seeded, '2-celled. (speedwell.) CATAL"FA. Corolla 4 or 5-cleft, somewhat inflated, bell-form : caly i 2-parted cr 2- leaved : stigma 2-lipped : capsule cylindric, 2-celled.~ (cataipa tree.) C. Corolla l-petaled, inferior, irregular ; seeds naked. MONAR"DA. Calyx cylindric, striated, 5 toothed: corolla ringent. tubulai. (Oswego tea, mountain mint.) SAL^VIA. Calyx tubular, striated, IMipped, under bp 2 to 3-toothe:d, lower lip 2-cleft : corolla ringent, upper lip concave, lower lip broad, thrse-lobed, the middle lobe the latest, notchec- stamens with two spreading branches, one of which bears a one-celled anther ; germ four * This is an exotic In cur region, but grows wild in the southern states. 13 i4t CLASS HI cleft : style thread-shaped, curved ; seeds 4, in the bottom of the civ- yx. {sage.) D. Corolla superior. CIRCIE'A.. Calyx 2-leaved or 2-parted ; corolla 2-petaled ; capsule hispid, 2-celled, not gaping; cells 1 or 2 seeded, seeds oblong. (en- chanter's nightshade.) Order 2. Digynia. Two pistils. ANTHOXAN 'THUM. Calyx of two egg-shaped, pointed, concave, chaffy scales ; 1 flowered; corolla of two equal husks, shorter than the calyx, awned on the back ; an internal corolla or nectary, con- sisting of two egg-shaped minute scales: stamens longer than the corolla; anther oblong, forked at both ends; germ superior : seed,] (sweet vernal grass.) CLASS in. TRIANDRIA. Iliree Stamens Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Flowers superior. I'RIS. Calyx spatha 2 or 3-valved : corolla 6-parted, divisions alter- nately reflexed: stigmas 3, petal-like : style short: capsule 3-celled. (flower-de-luce, iris or flag.) Exotic. CRO"CUS. Spatha radical : corolla funnel form, with a long slender lube ; stigma deep-gashed, crested. (saffron.) IX"IA. Spatha 2 or 3 valved, ovate, short; corolla 6-parted or 6-pe- taled ; sometimes tubular ; stamens strait or incurved; stigmas sub- filiform. (black-berry lily.) Order 2. Digynia. Two pistils. A. Calyx and corolla of a similar texture flowers in spreading panicles. AGROS"TIS. Calyx herbaceous, 2-valved, 1-flowered, valves acute, a little less than the corolla: corolla 2-valved, membranaceous, often hairy at the base : stigmas longitudinally hispid or plumose florets spreading; nectary lateral ; seed coated. (redtop.) Calyx and corolla of similar texture flowers in compact panicles, often spikeform. PHLE"UM. Calyx hard, 2-valved, equal, sessile, linear, truncate, bicuspidate; corolla enclosed in the calyx, 2-valved, awn less, trun- cate. (timothy-grass.) B. Srikelets 1 flowered; corolla with 1 or 2 abort-ire rudiments of flowers at the base. Calyx and coiolla of similar text/lire. PHALA'RIS. Caly* membranaceous, 2-valved, valves Veeled, nerved, -qual in length, including the 2-valved pilose corolla. The ccroiia i? CLASS IV. 147 shcner than the calyx and coriaceous: rudiments opposite, senile, v e- sembling valves : nectary lateral. (ribbon-grass.) C. Spikdlets many-flowered. PO'A. Spikelets oblong or linear, compressed, many-flowered ; ca- Jyx shorter than the florets: corolla herbaceous, awnless, often araci> aoid at the base; lower valve scarious at the margin. (spear-grass.) Exotic. SORG"HUM. Florets in pairs, one perfect, with a 3-valved corolla, and sessile ; the other staminate or neutral, and pedicelled. (broom corn.) DAC^'TITLIS. Spikelets aggregated in unilateral heads, many flower- ed: calyx shorter than the florets, with one large glume, keeled, point ed: corolla with the lower valve keeled, emarginate, mucronate.- (orchard grass.) AVE'NA. Calyx 2-valved; 2,3, or many flowered: corolla valves mostly bearded at the base, lower one torn, with a twisted awn on the back: glumes membranaceous, and somewhat follicle-like; seed coated. (oats.) mm D. Flowers in spikes. TRI'TICUM. Calyx 2-valved, about 3-flowered ; florets sessile on the teeth of the rachis, obtusish and pointed ; glumes beardless, or inter- ruptedly bearded. (wheat.) SECA'I.E. Calyx 2-valved, 2 or 3-flowered : spikelets sessile on the teeth of the rachis, with the terminal floret abortive: glumes subulate, opposite, shorter than the florets : corolla with the lower valve lung:- awned. (rye.) CLASS iv. TETRANORIA. Four Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Flowers superior. (l-petaled.) CEPHALAN"THUS. Inflorescence in a head: general calyx none, proper calyx superior, minute, angular, 4-cleft: corolla funnel-form: receptacle globular, hairy : seed solitary, oblong. (button-bush.) HOUSTO'NIA. Calyx half superior, 4-toothed: corolla salver-form, 4-cleft ; capsule 2-celled, many-seeded, opening transversely. (inno- cence.) (4-petaled.) COR"NUS. Calyx 4-toothed: drupe with a 2-celled nut Some spe- cies have a 4-leaved involucrurn. (dogwood, false box.) Southern. LY'CIUM. Corolla tubular, having the throat closed by the beards of the filaments: stamens often 5: berry 2-celled ; many seeded. (mat- rimony.) J48 CLASS V. CLASS V. FENTANDRIA. FlVC S Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Flowers l-petaled, inferior; seeds naked in the bottom of the calyx Rough Leaved Plants. CYNOGLOS' / SUM. Calyx 5-parted : corolla short, funnel-form, vault* ed ; throat ciocsed by five con verging con vex processes; seeds depress- ed, affixed laterally to the style. (hound's-tongue.) BORA 'GO. Corolla wheel-form, the throat closed with rays. (borage.) B. Flowers l-petaled, inferior ; seeds covered. (Capsule l-celled.) LYSJMACH"IA. Calyx 5-cleft; corolla wheel-form, 5-cleft; capsule l-celled globula/, 5 or 10-valved,-mucronate ; stigma obtuse. (In some species the filaments are united at the base.) (loose-strife.) (Capsule ^celled rarely ^-celled.) VERBAS"CUM. Calyx 5-parted ; corolla wheel-form, 5-lobed, some- what irregular, stamens declined, hairy ; capsules 2-celled, 2-valved ; valves inflexed when ripened, many-seeded. (mullein.) CONVOLVULUS. Calyx 5-parted, with or without 2 bracts; corolla funnel-form, plaited: stigma 2-cleft or double: cells of the capsule 2 or 3 ; each 1 or 2 seeded. (blind-weed- morning glory.) (Capsule 3 to b-celted.) PHLOX. Calyx prismatic, 5-cleft; segments converging: corolla salver-form, 5-lobed, with a tube somewhat curved ; filaments unequa) in length, attached to the inside of the tube of the corolla ; stigmas 3-cleft; cells 1 seeded, seeds oblong; concave. (lichnidia.) DATL T/ RA. Calyx tubular, angled, caducous, with a permanent orbi- cular base; corolla funnel-form, plaited; capsule 4-valved, 2 celled, and each cell half divided ; generally thorny. (thorn-apple.) (Seed in a berry.) SOLA'NUM. Calyx 5 to 10-parted, permanent; corolla bell or wheel form, 5-lobed, plaited ; anthers thickened, partly united, with two pores at the top ; berry containing many seeds, 2 to 6-celled. (potato, nightshade, bitter-sweet.) Exotic. CAP"SICUM. Corolla wheel-form; berry juiceless, inflated ; anthers converging ; calyx angular. (red pepper.) C. Flowers l-petaled, superior. (Seeds in a capsule.) CAMPANULA. Calyx mostly 5-cleft; corolla bell-form, closed at the bottom by valves bearing the flattened stamens; stigma 3 to 5-cleft: capsules 3 to 5-celled, opening by lateral pores. (bell flower.) L>BE'IIA. Calyx 5-cleft; corolla irregular, often irregularly si it- ted ; anthers cohering, and somewhat curved; stigma 2-lobed; cap- sule 2 or ^-celled. (cardinal flower, wild tobacco.) 'RA. Calyx 5-toothed ; corolla tubular, long, 5-cleft unequ4, CLASS V. 149 jtaraens exsert: stigmas globose; berry 2 or 3-celled, distinct ; steds many (trumpet honey suckle.) Exotic. MIRA'BILIS. Corolla funnel-form, compressed below: calyx infe- rior; germ between the calyx and corolla; stigma globular. (four a ilock.) Flavors 5-petated, inferior. (Seed in a capsule.} IMPA'TIENS. Calyx 2-leaved, deciduous; corolla irregular, spun cd. anthers cohering at the top ; capsule 5-valved, bursting elasLcally when ripe. (touch-me-not, jewel weed.) WOLA. Calyx 5-leaved or deeply 5-cleft, corolla irregular, with a horn behind; (sometimes it is a mere prominence;) anthers attached oy a membranous tip, or slightly cohering; capsule 1-celled, 3-valvecL (violet.) CEL,AS"TRUS. Calyx 5-lobed ; flat: corolla spreading: capsule ob- tusely 3-angled, 3-celled, berry-like: valves bearing the partitions on their'centres ; cells 1 or 2-seeded : stamens standing around a glandu- lar 5-toothed disk : style thick : stigma 3-cleft : seeds calyptred o-r arilled. (staff tree, false bittersweet.) E. Flowers b-petaled, inferior. RI'BES. Calyx bell-form, 5-cleft, (sometimes flat:) corolla and sta- mens inserted on the calyx : style 2-cleft : berry'many seeded. 36. 85. (currant, goose-berry.) Order 2. Digynia. Two pistils. A. Corolla l-pe tailed, inferior. GENTIA'NA. Calyx 4 or 5-cleft : corolla with a tubular base, bell-form, without pores, 4 or 5-cleft , stigmas 2, sub-sessile, capsule 1-celled ob- long : columellas 2, longitudinal: stamens but 4, when the divisions of corolla are 4. (gentian.) Exotic. Plants umbelliferous : flowers 5-petalled, superior : seeds 2. (Seeds prickly or hispid.) DA'UCUS. Seeds striate on their joining sides Miter sides convex, hispid ribs : involucrum pinnatifid ; flowers sub-radiated, abortive in the disk. (carrot.) Exotic. ANE'THUM. Seeds flat or convex, 5-ribbed: germ lenticular, corn - prtssed: calyx and petals entire : involucrums none. (fennel, dill.) Order3. Trigynia. Three pistils. A. Floivers superior. VIBUR' NUM. Calyx 5-parted or 5-toothed, small ; corolla bell-form, 5-cleft, with spreading or reflexed lobes ; stigmas almost sessile : berry or drupe 1-seeded. (snow ball, sheep-berry, high cranberry.) SAMBU'CUS. Calyx 5-parted or 5-cleft, small; corolla sub-urceolate; 5-cleft; stigma minute, sessile: berry globose, 1-celled 3-seeded - (elder.) 150 '-LASS VI.. VII. LI'NCM. Calyx 5-leaved or 5-parted, permanent; corolla 5-petaled inferior, with claws; capsule 5 or 10-vaived, 10-celled; seeds solitary, ovate, compressed ; filaments spreading or united at the base. (flax.) CLASS vi. HEXANDRIA. Six Stamens Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Flowers having a perianth and corolla, without a spatha. TRADESCAN"TIA. Calyx inferior, 3-leaved ; corolla 3-petaled ; fila- ments with jointed beards; capsules 3-celled, many-seeded. (spider- wort.) B. Flowers having a spatha or glume, without a perianth. AMARYI/'LIS. Corolla superior, 6-petaled, unequal ; filaments une- qual in proportion or direction, declined, inserted in the throat of the tube. (atamask lily.) Exotic. GALAN"THUS. Petals 3, concave, superior: nectarines (or inner pe- tals) 3, small, emarginate ; stigma simple. (snowdrop.) C. Flowers having no calyx. LI'LIUM. Corolla liliaceous, inferior, 6-petaled; petals with a lon- gitudinal line from itie middle to the base; stamens shorter than the style ; stigma undivided ; capsule sub-triangular, with the valves con- nected by hairs crossing as in a sieve. (lily.) ERYTHRO'NIUM. Corolla liliaceous, infeiior, 6-petaled; petals re- flexed, having two pores and two tubercle-form nectaries at the base of the three inner alternate petals ; capsule somewhat stiped ; seeds rvate. (dog-tooth violet, or adder-tongue.) ASPAR'AGUS. Corolla inferior, 6-parted, erect, the three inner di- visions reflexed at the apex : style very short : stigmas 3 ; berry 3-celled, cells 2-seeded. (asparagus.) Exotic. TU'LIPA. Corolla 6-petaled, liliaceous, style ; stigma thick ; cap- sule oblong, 3-sided. (tulip.) FRITILLA'RIA. Corolla inferior, 6-petaled, bell-form, with a necta- riferous cavity above the claw of each ; stamens of the length of the corolla; seeds flat. (crown imperial.) Order 3. Tryginia. Three pistils. TRII/'LIUM. Calyx 3-leaved, inferior, spreading ; corolla 3-petaled styles 0; stigmas 3; berry 3-celled, many seeded. (false wake robin.* CLASS vii. HEPTANDRIA. Seven Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. T&S'CULUS. Calyx inflated ; 4 or 5-toothed ; corolla 4 or 5-petaled j> a rted on the calyx 3 unequal, pubescent; capsule 3-celled; seed* large, solitary, chestnut-form. (horse-chestnut ^ CLASS VIII., IX., X. 15* CLASS viii. OCTANDRIA. Eight Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. OENO'THERA. Calyx 4-cleft, tabular, caducous, divisions reflected , petals 4, inserted on the calyx ; stigma 4-cleft ; capsule 4-celled, 4- val- ued ; seeds not feathered, affixed to a central 4-sided columella. (sea- bish, c t evening primrose.) TROPJE'OLUM. Calyx 4 or 5-cleft, coloured spurred ; petals 4 or 5, unequal ; nuts leathery, sulcate. (nasturtion ) CLASS ix. ENNEANDRIA. Nine Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. LAU'RUS. Calyx 4 to 6-parted ; corolla 0; nectaries 3, each a 2- Bris- tled or 2-lobed gland, surrounding the germ; drupe 1-seeded. Stamens vary from 3 to 14, but they are generally in two series of 6 each, with 3 of the inner series barren often dioecious. The calyx may be taken for a corolla. (sassafras, spice-bush.) CLASS x. DECANDRIA. Ten Stamens. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. A. Flowers polypetalous, irregular, (mostly papilionaceous.) CAS"SIA. Calyx 5-leaved ; corolla 5-petaled ; anthers 3, lower ones' beaked, and on longer incurved filaments-, legume membranaceour cassia.) B. Flowers polypetalous, regular. PY'ROLA. Calyx 5-parted, petals 5 ; styles longer than the stamens , anthers with two pores at the base before, and the top after the open- Ing of the flower ; capsule 5-celled, dehiscent at the angles near the 3as. (shin leaf.) CHIMAPH"ILA. Calyx 5-parted; petals 5; anthers beaked, with 2 pores at the base before, and at the top after the opening of the flower ; style immersed; stigma thick, orbiculate; capsule 5-celled, dehiscent at the angles near the summit (prince's pine, pipsissiwa.) Exotic. RU'TA. Calyx 5-parted; petals concave ; receptacle surrounded by 10 nectariferous doUj capsule lobed. (Petals sometimes 4, arid sta- mens 8.) (rue.) C. moviers monopetalous. EPIG/A. Calyx double, outer 3-leaved, inner 5-parted; (or calyx 5-parted, with 3 bracts;) corolla salver-form; border 5-parted, spread- ing; tube villose within ; capsule 5-celled, many-seeded; receptacle 5-parted. (trailing arbutus.) VACCI"NIUM. Calyx superior, 5 toothed or 5-parted, corolla bell c" pitcher form, 5-clefl, the divisions reflected -'filaments inserted on tnt 152 CLASS 11. g^rm. with the corolla ; berry 4 or 5-celled, many-seeded. (The lo reisrn species are sometimes octandrous.*) (whortleberry.) KAL"MIA. Calyx 5-parted ; corolla whecl-salver-form, with 10 horns beneath, and 10 cavities within, containing the anthers until thepolleii is mature ; capsule 5-celled, many-seeded. (laurel.) D. f'lowei's without a calyx : {or with a coloured petal like a caiyx>) whole plant destitute of green herbage. MONOT"ROPA. Corolla confusedly polypetalous, permanent ; petals about 5, with nectariferous hollows at their bases ; anthers reniform, subpeltate, 1-celled, giving out pollen by 2 holes near the middle; stigma orbicular, not bearded ; capsule 5-celled, 5 valved. (bird's uesi, Indian pipe.) Order 2. Digynia. Two pistils. f HYDRAN"GEA. Calyx 5-toothed, superior; corolla 5-petaled; cap- f sule 2-celled, 2-beaked, dehiscent between the beaks. SAXIFRA'GA. Calyx 5-parted, half superior; corolla 5-petaled; cap- sule 2-celled, 2-beaked, opening between the beaks ; many-seeded. (saxifrage.) SAPONA'RIA. Calyx inferior, 1-leaved, tubular, 5-toothed, without scales ; petals 5, with claws ; capsule oblong, 1-celled. (soap wort.) DIAN"THUS. Calyx inferior, cylindrical, 1-leafed, with 4 or 5 scales at the base ; petals 5, with claws ; capsule cylindrical, 1-celled, dehiscent at the top. (pink, sweet-william.) Order 3. Trigynia. Three pistils. SILE'NE. Calyx 1-leaved, tubular or conic, 5-toothed; petals 5, with elaws, generally crowned at the orifice ; capsule 3-celled, 6 toothed, many-seeded. Order 5. Pentagynia. Five pistils. AGROSTEM"MA. Calyx 5-cleft, prismatic or tubular; coriaceous, petals 5, with claws; border obtuse, entire; capsule 1-celled, man v- seeded, opening with 5 teeth. (cockle.) Order 10. Decagynia. Ten pistils. PHYTOLAC"CA. Calyx 9; corolla 5-petaled or 5-cleft, calyx-like, in- ferior ; berry 10-cell, 10-seeded. By some authors the calyx is called a corolla. -(poke- weed.) CLASS XL ICOSANDRIA. More than Ten Stamens situated on the Calyx. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. PRC'NUS. Calvx-cleft, inferior, belt-form ; corolla 5-petaled j nut ol * Having eight stamens, CLASS XII. 153 the drupe smooth, with prominent seams at the sutures. (ciiei:y plum.) Hxotic. AMYG"D>ALUS. Calyx 5-cleft, inferior; petals 5, drape with a nut, perforated with pores, flowers sessile. (peach.) PHILADEL/'PHUS. Calyx 4 or 5-paru\l, superior, top-form ; corolla 4 or5-petaled; style 4-cleft ; capsule 4 or 5-celled, many-seeded; seed arilled. (false syringa, or mock orange.) Order 2. Digynia, to Order 5. Peutagynia ; or Dipenta- gynia. From two to Jive pistil*. CRATK'GUS. Calyx superior, 5 cleft; petals 5; styles 1 to 5; berry mealy; seeds 2 to 5, bony. (thorn-bush.) ARO'NIA. Catyx superior, 5-toolhed; petals 5; fruit pcmaceous; berry 5 or 10-celled; cells 1 or 2-seeded; seeds cartilaginous. (shad- flower, choak berry.) PYRUS. Calyx 5-cleft, superior ; corolla 5-petaled ; pome 5-celled, many-seeded ; seeds compressed-ovate. (pear, apple, quince.) Order 13. Pologynia. Many pistils. RO'SA. Calyx urn-form, inferior, 5-cleft, fleshy; contracted to- wards the top ; pcrals 5; seeds numerous, bristly, fixed to the sides of the calyx within. A genus remarkable for the multiplication of its petals, by rich culture. (rose.) RU'BUS. Calyx 5-cleft, inferior; corolla 5-petaled; pistils nume- rous ; berry composed of many jui-:y, 1-seeded acines, on a dry recep- tacle. (raspberry, black-berry.) FRAGA'RIA. Calyx inferior, 10-cleft ; 5 alternate divisions smaller ; corolla 5-petaled; receptacle ovate, berry-like; acines naked, im- mersed in the receptacle, caducous. (strawberry.) CLASS xn. POLYANDRIA. More than ten Stamens situated on the receptacle. Order 1. Monogynia. One pistil. SANGUINA'RIA. Calyx caducous, 2-leaved ; corolla about 8-petaled, stigma sessile, twinned, 2-grooved ; capsule pod-like, ovate, 1-cclled, 2-valved, acute at each end; valves caducous; columella 2, perma- nent. (blood-root.) PODOPHYL"LUM. Calyx 3-leaved, minute; corolla about 9-petaled , stigma large, crenate, sessile; berry 1-celled, crowned with the stig- ma, large, many-seeded; columella one-sided. (wild mandrake.) Exotic. PAPA'VER. Calyx 2-leaved, caducous; corolla 4-petaled; stigma a broad disk, with radiating lines ; capsule 1-celied, dehiscent by pores under the permanent stigma. (poppy.) Order 2. Digynia, to Order 5. Pentagynia, or Di-Penta- gynia. DELPTII'N'DM. Calyx ; corolla 5-nelaleei, unequal ; nectary. 2-f left 154 - CLASS xm. horned behind; c p.sules 1 or 3, pod-like. By some the ccroliais con- sidered as a coloured calyx. (larkspur.) AQUILE'GIA. Calyx 0; petals 5, caducous; nectaries 5, alternating with the petals, and terminating downwards in a spur-like nectary ; capsules 5, erect ; acuminated with the permanent styles, many-seed- ed. By some the nectaries are considered as petals, and the corolla as a coloured calyx. (columbine.) HYPER"ICUM. Calyx 5-parted ; divisions equal, sub-ovate ; corolla ivpetaled; filaments often united at the base in 3 or 5 sets; styles 2 to 5; capsules membranaceous, roundish, with a number of cells equal to the number of styles. The bases of the filaments are often in groups, when they are not united. (St. John's wort.) Exotic. P.EO'NIA. Calyx 5-leaved ; petals 5 ; styles ; stigmas 2 or 3 ; cap- sules pod-like, many-seeded. Remarkable for the multiplication of petals by rich culture. (peony.) Order 13. Polygynia. Many pistils. A. Perianth none. CLEM"ATIS. Petals 3, 4, 5, or 6; seeds compressed; styles perma- nent, becoming long plumose tails. (Some species are dioecious.) (virgin,'s bower.) By some the corolla is considered a coloured calyx. ANEMO'NE. Petals 5 to 9 ; seeds numerous, naked. (wind-flower, rue anemone.) The corolla is considered a calyx by SDme. CAL"THA. Petals 5 to 9; orbicular; capsules numerous, (5 to 10,) man\vseecled, compressed; 1-celled, spreading; nectaries 0. (Pistils variable in number.) (American cowslip.) By some the corolla is mistaken for a coloured calyx. B. Having a perianth. HEPAT"ICA. Calyx 3-leaved, a little distance below the corolla, en- tire ; pe'als 6 to 9 ; seeds without tails. (liverleaf.) RANUNCULUS. Calyx 5-leaved; petals 5, with claws, and a necta- riferous pore or scale on the inside of each; seeds without tails, na- ked, numerous. (crow-foot.) CLASS xm. DIDYNAMIA. Having Four Stamens. Two Sta- mens longer than the other two. Order 1. Gymnospermia. Seeds naked in the Calyx. A. Calyx 5-cleft y with the divisions, or teeth, nearly equal. MEN'THA, Corolla nearly equal, 4-lobed; broadest division, emar- ginate; stamens erect, distant. (spearmint, peppermint.) HEDEO'MA. Calyx 2-lipped, gibhose at the base ; upper lip with 3 lanceolate teeth; lower lip with two subulate ones; corolla ringent; 2 short stamens barren. (pennyroyal.) NEP'ETA. Calyx dry, striate: corolla with a longish tube; under ?ip with the middle division crenate, throat with a reflected margin; stamens approximate. (catmint.) GI.ECHO'MA. Calyx 5-cleft ; corolla double the length of the calyz ; tipper lip 2-cleft lower lip 3-cleft, with the middle segment CLASS XIV. 155 nate; each pair of anthers approaching so as to exhibit the form of * cross. (ground ivy, gill-overground.) Exotic. LAVA\"DULA. Calyx ovate, sub-dentate ; bracts under-sti*dde t d; co- rolia resMpinate ; stamens in the tube. (lavender.) B. Calyx %-lipped. PRDNEL"LA. Calyx with the upper lip dilated ; filaments 2-forked, with an anther on one of the points; stigma 2-cieft. (self-heal, or heal-all.) SCUTELLA'RIA. Calyx with an entire mouth, which is closed with a helmet-form lid after the corolla falls out ; tube of the corolla beni (scull-cap.) Exotic. THY"MUS. Calyx sub-campanulate, with the throat closed with hairs; corolla with the upper lip flat, ernarginate ; lower lip longer.- (thyme.) Order 2. Angiospermia. Seeds in a capsule. ANTIRRHI'NUM. Calyx 5-leaved or deeply 5-parted ; the two lower Q' visions remote ; corolla personate or ringent, spurred, or with a pro- minent base ; the throat closed with a prominent palate ; capsule ovate, 2-valved, dehiscent at the apex, with reflexed teeth. (snap-dragon, toad-flax.) GERAR"DTA. Calyx 5-cleft or 5-toolhed ; corolla sub-campannlate, unequally 5-lobed ; segments mostly rounded ; capsule 2-celled, dehi- scent at the top. (false foxglove.) PENTSTE'MON. Calyx 5-cleft or 5-leaved; corolla ringent, inflated; the rudiment of a bearded filament between, and longer than two tallest stamens; anthers smooth; capsule 2-celled, 2-valved, ovate; seeds numerous, angular. 'beard tongue.) CLASS xiv. TETRADYNAMIA. Having six stamens r'our sta- mens longer than the other two. Order 1. Siliculosa. Short pod. Exotic. LUNA'RIA. Sihcle entire, oval, flat-compressed, pedicelled ; valves equalling the partition, parallel, flat ; calyx consists of coloured sack' like leafets. 39. 63. (honesty, or satin-flower.) Order 2. Siliquosa. Long pod. CHEIRAN'THUS. Calyx closed, two of the leafets gibbous at the base : petals dilated ; silique, when young with a glandular tooth each sidej stigma 2-lobed; seed flat, sometimes margined. (stock-july-flower, vall-flower.) SINA'PIS. Calyx spreading; corolla with strait claws; glands bf- ween the short stamens and the pistil, and between the long stamen* DO CLASS XV. and the calyx ; partition extending beyond the values of tne silique, :nsiform ; seeds in a single series. (mustard.) RAPHA'NUS. Calyx closed, silique, terete, not opening by valves, 1 or 2-celled ; glands between the short stamens and pistil, and between die Idhg stamens and the calyx. (radish.) Exotic. BRAS'SICA. Calyx erect, converging; partition extending beyond the valves of the silique ; seed globose ; glands between the short sta- mens and pistil, and between the long stamens and calyx. (cabbage, turnip.) CLASS xv. MONADELPHIA. Stamens united by filaments in one set. Order 3. Triandria. Three stamens. SISIRYN"CHIUM. Spatha 2-leaved ; perianth 0; corolla superior, 6 cleft or 6-petaled, tubular ; style 1 ; stigma 3-cleft ; capsule 3-celled.- (blue-eyed grass.) Order 5. Pentandria. Exotic. ERO'DIUM. Calyx 5-leaved ; corolla 5-petaled ; nectariferous scales 5, alternating with the filaments; arils 5, 1-seeded, awned, beaked at the base of the receptacle; awn spiral, bearded within. (stork's bill.) Order 7. Heptandria. Seven stamens. Exotic. PELARGO'NIUM. Calyx 5-parted, upper division broader, ending in a capillary nectariferous tube ; corolla 5-petaled, irregular ; the two upper petals usually broader, with coloured veins; filaments 10, 3 of them usually without anthers; arils 5, each 1-seeded, awned ; some of the awns spiral. (stork geranium.) Order 10. Decandria. Ten stamens. GERA'NIUM. Calyx 5-leaved ; corolla 5-petaled, regular ; nectarife- rous glands 5, adhering to the base of the 5 alternating long filaments; arils 5, 1-seeded, awned, beaked at the elongated top of the receptacle; awn naked or smooth within, straight. 14. 73. (cranebill, false crow-foot, herb-robert.) Order 12. Polyandria. Many stamens. ALTHJE'A. Calyx double, outer one G or 9-cleft; capsules many, ai ranged circularly, 1-seeded. (hollyhock.) MAL"VA. Calyx double, outer one 3-leaved, inner one 5-cleft ; cap iulos manv, arranged cir;ular'y, 1-celled, 1-seeded. (mallows.) CLASS XVI.j XVh. 157 ci ASS xvi. DIADELPHIA. Stamens united by filaments in two sets. Order 5, to Order 8. P ent-octandria. From 5 to 8 stamens. POLYGA'LA. Calyx 5-leaved, permanent, unequal, 2 of the leafets wing-like, larger, coloured, corolla irregular (or rather, calyx 3-leaf- ed, corolla imperfectly papilionaceous;) capsule obcordate, 2-celled 2-valved. Keel of the corolla sometimes appendaged : seeds hairv - (snake loot, milk-wort, low centaury, mountain flax.) Order 10. Decandria. Ten stamens. Legume without transverse divisions or portions ; seeds numerous* (Stigma pubescent.) PI'SUM. Calyx with the divisions leaf-like, about equal : banner protruding 2 folds : style compressed, carinate, villose above : legume without down at the suture. (pea.) LA'THYRUS. Calyx with the two upper divisions shorter : style flat, villose above, broader towards the top. (Stems mostly winged, leafets 2 or more, terminated by a divided tendril.) (sweet pea.) (Stigma, not pubescent.) PHASE'OLUS. Keel stamens and style spirally twisted together ; legum compressed, falcate ; seeds sub-compressed, reniform. {bean.) ROBI'NIA. Calyx small, bell-form, 4-cleft, upper division 2-parted : banner *arge, reflexed, roundish, legume compressed, elongated, many seeded ; seeds compressed, small. (locust tree.) TRIFO'LIUM. Flowers sub-capitate ; legume included in the calyx, not opening by valves, 1 to 4-seeded. Leaves always ternate. (clover.) LUPI'NUS. Calyx 2-lipped, anthers, 5 oblong and 5 roundish ; le- gume coriaceous. (lupine.) CLASS XVH. SYNQENESIA. Anthers united. Order 1. Polygamia jEqualis. Disk and ray florets perfect A. Floret ligulate. LEON'TODON. Calyx imbricate, with flexible leafets ; receptacle na- ked: e^rei stiped. (dandelion.) LA<TU'UA. Calyx imbricate, cyiindric, with the margin of the scales membranaceous; receptacle naked; egret simple, stiped; seed smooth. (lenure.) CAR"nri;s. Calyx ovate, imbricate witK prickly scales; receptacle villose; egret pilose. (cmib-tooth thistle.) CiN r/ ARA Re< ^ptacle bristly : calyx dilated, imbiicare, scales with 14 ft8 CLASS XVIL fleshy bases, emarginate and pointed ; egret plumose, sessile. fgarden artichoke.) B. Florets tubulous ; flower discoid. EUPA'TO'RIUM. Calyx imbricated (rarely simple) oblong ; style Icng. cloven halfway down ; egret pilose, scabrous, or rough papillose ; re- ceptacle naked; seed smooth and glandular, 5 striate. (bonesei thoroughwort, joepye.) Order 2. Polygamia superflua. Florets of the disk perfect those of the ray having pistils only. A. Flowers discoid; the ray florets being obsolete. TANACE'TUM. Calyx imbricate, hemispheric ; scales acuminate, rays obsolete, 3-eleft , egret somewhat marginal ; receptacle naked. (Flow- ers corymbed.) (tansey.) GNAPHA'LIUM. Calyx imbricate with the marginal scales rounded, scarious, shortish, glossy, coloured; receptacle naked; egret pilose 01 plumose, scabrous; florets of the ray subulate, of the disk eniiie. Sometimes all the florets are perfect. (life everlasting.) B. Flowers radiate ; the ligulate ray florets very manifest, (Receptacle naked.) AS'TER. Calyx imbricate, the inferior scales generally spreading, egret simple, pilose ; receptacle often deep pitted. Florets of the ray more than 10, except in a few species ; colour purple or white, never y el low. (star-flower.) SOUDA'GO. Calyx oblong or sub-cylindric, with oblong, narrow, pointed straight scales, imbricate, closed upon the flower; ray florets about 2, and fewer than 10, lanceolate, 2-toothed, equal to, or shorter than the calyx; filaments capillary, very short; style thread form, equalling the length of the stamens, stigma cleft, spreading; egret simple, pilose, scabrous; receptacle furrowed with dots or punctures; seech oblong ovate. (golden rod.) CHRYSAN'THEMUM. Calyx hemispherical, imbricate, with the scales membranous at the margin ; egret none, or a narrow margin. (ox- eyed daisy, fever-few.) Exotic. BEL"LIS. Calyx hemispherical ; scales equal ; egret ; receptacle ionical ; seed obovate. (garden daisy.) TAGE'TES. Calyx simple, 1-leafed, 5-toothed, tubular: florets of the t iy about 5, permanent ; egret 5 erect awns. (marigold.) (Receptacle chaffy or hairy.) AN"THEMIS. Calyx hemispherical ; scales with scarious margins, aearly equal ; egret 0, or a membranous margin : florets of the ray more man 5 ; receptacle chaffs flat, with a rigid acuminate apex ; seed crown- ed with a membranous border or egret. (may-weed, chamomile.) Order 3. Polygamia Frustranea. Florets of the disk per feet, those of the ray having neither stamens nor pistils. HEUAN"TH T J8. Calyx imbricate, sub-so uarrose, leafy ; receptacl CLASS XVIII. XIX. 159 flat, chaffy ; egret 2-leaved, chaff-like, caducous. (sunflower, jerusa >m artichoke.) CLASS xviii. GYNANDRIA. Stamens growing out of the pistil. Order 1. Monandria. One stamen. A. Anther adnate, sub-terminal, not caducous ; masses of polkn affixed by the base, and made up of angular particles. OR"CHIS. Corolla ringent-like, upper petal vaulted ; lip dilated, ^purred beneath: masses of pollen 2,' adnate, terminal. (orchis.) Order 2. Diandria. Two stamens. CYPRIPE'DIUM. Calyx coloured, 4-leavcd, spreading ; corolla 0, (by some the calyx is called a corolla;) nectary large, hollow, inflated ; style with a terminant lobe, and petal-like appendage on the upper side. (lady's slipper.) Order 5. Pentandria. Five stamens. Plants bearing seeds in follicles ; and pollen in masses called pollinia. ASCLE'PIAS. Petals 5, reflected ; nectaries 5, concave, erect, con- taining little horns; each stamen with a pair of pendulous masses of pollen, suspended from the top of the stigma>; follicles smooth. (milk-weed, silk-weed.) JL.ASS xix. MONCECIA. Staminate and pistillate flowers on the same plant. Order 3. Triandria. Three stamens. TY'PHA. Ament cylindric, dense-flowered. Staminate flowers calyx obsolete, 3-leaved : corolla ; stamens 3 together, on a chaffy or hairy receptacle, united below into one. Pistillate flowers below the Staminate; calyx 0; corolla 0; seed 1, pedicelled; the pedicels sur- rounded at the base with long hairs resembling an egret. (cat-tail or reed mace.) CA'REX. Aments imbricate (usually in cylindric spikes.) Stami- nate flowers calyx scales single ; corolla 0. Pistillate flowers cafyx scale single; corolla inflated, monopetalous, 2-toothed at the apex; stigmas 2o r 3 ; nut 3-sided, enclosed in the inflated, permanent corolla, which becomes an utriculous-like permanent aril. Sometimes dioeci- ous. (sedge.) COMPTO'NIA. Staminate flowers ament cylindric, with calyx scales 1 flowered; corolla 2-petaled or none; filaments 2-forked. PistiMate flowers spike or ament ovate ; corolla 6-petaled (the corolla may fo? called a calyx ;) styles 2 ; not oval, 1 -celled. (sweet fern.) ZE'A. Staminate flowers calyx glume 2-flowered, awnless ; corolla glume awnless. Pistillate flowers calyx glume 2- valued (number oi 160 CLASS XIX. valves increased by cultivation ;) style 1, very Icng, filifgrm, pemiu- .ous; seed solitary, immersed in an oblong receptacle. (Indian corn.) Order 4. Tetrandria. Four stamens. MO'RUS. Staminate flowers calyx 4-parted ; corolla 0. Pistillate flowers calyx 4-leaved ; corolla ; styles 2, calyx becoming berry- like ; seed 1. (mulberry.) Order 5. Pentandria. Five stamens. AMARA"NTHUS. Staminate flowers calyx 3 or 5-leaved ; corolla 0; stamens 3 or 5. Pistillate flowers calyx and corolla as the stami nate; styles 3; capsule 1-celled, opening transversely ; seed 1. (ama- ranth, red cockscomb.) Order 12. Polyandria. Many stamens. A. Stems not woody. SAGITTA'RIA. Staminate flowers calyx 3-leaved ; corolla 3 petaled; filaments mostly 24. Pistillate flowers calyx and corolla as in the Staminate ; germs many ; capsules aggregate, 1-seeded, not opening. (arrow-head.) AR'UM. Spatha cucullate, 1-leaved ; spadix not entirely covered with fructification ; being more or less naked above, with pistillate flowers beneath, and Staminate in the middle (sometimes a few aresta- minate beneath; berry mostly 1-seeded, generally cirrose glandular beneath.) (Indian Ufrnip, wake-robin.) B. Stems woody. GluER'cus. Staminate flowers ament loose ; calyx sub 5-cleft ; co- rolla 0; stamens 5 to 10. Pistillate flowers calyx 1-leaied, entire, scabrous, being a woody cup ; style 1, stigma 2 to 5; nut or acorn 1- celled, 1-seeded, coriaceous, surrounded at the base by the permanent calyx. (oak.) CASTA'NEA. Polygamous. Staminate flowers ament naked, linear : corolla (or calyx) l-.eaved, 5 or 6-parted ; stamens 10 to 20. Pistillate flowers calyx 5 or 6-leaved. (or 5 or'6-lobed) muricate ; germs 3 ; stig- ma pencil- form ; nuts 3, with coriaceous putamen, enclosed in the calyx, becoming echinate. (chestnut.) Order 15. Monadelphia. Filaments united. A. Stems not woody. Exotic. CUCUR'BTTA. Staminate flowers calyx 5-toothed ; corolla 5-cleft ; filaments 3. Pistillate flowers calyx and corolla like the Staminate; pistil 3-cl eft ; pomaceous berry large, 3 to 5-celled ; seeds thickened at the margin. (gourd, squash, pumpkin, water-melon.) RICINUS. Staminate flowers calyx 5-parted: stamens numerous. Pistillate flowers, calyx 3-parted : styles 3 or 4-cleft : capsules echinato, .Welled, 3-seeded. (castor-oil plant.) CLASS XX. 161 B. Stems woody. PI'NUS. Staminate flowers calyx 4-leaved, peltate ; corolla 0; sta- mens many; anthers naked, 2, sessile, 1-ceiled. Pistillate flowers - calyx ; ji strobiles or cones, scales closely imbricate, :?-flowere*i : pisC* 1 ; mu with a membranous wing. (pine.) CLASS xx. DIGECIA. Staminate and pistillate flowers on dif ferent plants. Order 2. Diandria. Two stamens. SA'LIX. Staminate flowers ament cylindric; calyx a 1 -flowered scale, with a nectariferous gland at the base ; stamens 1 to 6. Pistillate flowers ament and calyx like the Staminate ; stigmas 2, generally 2- cleft ; capsule 1-celled; 2-valved ; seeds many, with egret-like down. 'willow.) Order 5. Pentandria. Five stamens. HUM"CLUS. Staminate flowers calyx 5-leaved ; corolla 0; snthers with two pores at the extremity. Pistillate flowers calyx 1-leaved; entire, oblique, spreading; styles 2, seed 1, within the leaf-iike calyx, infloresence strobile-form. (hop.) Exotic. CAN"NABIS. Staminate flowers calyx 5-parted. Pistillate flowers -calyx 5-leaved, entire, gaping laterally ; styles 2 ; nut 2-valved, with- in the closed calyx. (hemp.) Order 8. Octandria. Eight stamens. PO'PULUS. Staminate flowers ament cylindric, calyx a torn scale j corolla turbinate, oblique, entire, supporting 8 to 30 stamens. Pistillate flowers ament, calyx and corolla like the Staminate ; stigma 4 or 6- iooed: capsule 2-celled, 2-valved, many-seeded; seed with egret-like hairs. Leaves have a tremulous motion. (poplar, balm of Gilead.; NOTE. The 21st C?ass, Cryp ogamia being too difficult for the be. ginner in Botany to anaivze. is omitted. HESCRIPTION OF SPECIES OF PLANTS. 71. ^SCULUS. (From the Latin Esca, food.) Exotic. Bippocas"tanum, (horse-chestnut, w. J. h) leaves digitate, with ale at 7 divisions ; corolla 5-petaled, spreading ; flowers in a panicle pyra- mid. 15. f. 105. AGROSTEMMA. (From the Greek Agros, a field, and stemma, a garland.) Gilha'go, (cockle. O. r. J. <v>) hirsute ; calyx longer than the corolla ; petals entire. 32. AGROSTIS. (FromAgrcs, a field.) Vulga'ris, (red-top. O. J. 7J-) panicle with smoothish branches, spread- ing in maturity ; outer valve of the corolla 3-nerved ; stipule short, truncate. 18. i. 1513. ALTHJEA. (From the Greek AUheo, to heal.) Officina'lis, (marsh mallows. 7}.) leaves downy, oblong ovate, obsolete- ly 3-lobed, toothed. 195. AMARANTHUS. (From a Greek word signifying not withering.) Melanchol'icus, (love-lies-bleeding, r. <v>) glomerules axillary, pedun- <iJed, roundish; leaves lance ovate, coloured. 61. AMARYLLIS. (Latin name for a nymvh. Exotic. Formosis"sima y (jacobea. I 2|.) spatha 1-flowered; corolla rmgent-like; petals declined. 111. AMGYDALUS. Exotic. Ptr"sica, (peach, r. M. T?) serratures of the leaves all acute, flowers sessile, solitary. 15. f. Na'na, (flowering almond. T?) leaves ovate, tapering to the base, sharp- ly serrate. 3. f. 1213. ANEMONE. (From the Greek anemos, the wind.) a t (wind-flower. O. g-w. Ju. 'ZJ.) stem dichotomous ; leaves A R O , 163 in threes, ternate, upper ones opposite ; leafets gashkibate and per* rate-acute; peduncles solitary, 1-flowered, elongated; seed oblong, woolly, mucronate, in heads, 18. i. frcmoro'sa, (low anemone. O. r-w. M. 7|.) stem 1-flowered ; cauline leaves in threes, ternate ; leafets wedge-form, gash lobed, toothed, acute; corolla 5-6 petaled; seeds ovate, with a short style, hooked. A variety, quinquejolia, has lateral leafets deeply 2-cleft. 6. i. 5 2. ANETHUM. Exotic. Grave'olens, (dill.) fruit compressed ; plant annual F&ni'culum t (fennel.) fruit ovate ; plant perennial. 172. ANTHEMIS. Cof'ula, (mayweed. O. w. J. <v)) receptacle conic, chaff bristly, seed naked; leaves 2-pinnate, leafets subulate, 3-parted. 10. i. Exotic. No'bihs, (chamomile. w. Au. QJ.) leaves 2-pinnate ; leafets 3-partedJ Linear subulate, sub-villous, stem branching at the base. Fragrant- 4.i. 22. ANTHOXANTHUM. (From the Greek Anthos, a flower, and Xanthus, yellow.) Oaora turn (sweet vernal grass. O. M. Tj.,) spike oblong-ovate ; flo- rets sub-peduncled, shorter than the awn. An American variety. altissimum, is larger and of a dark green. An elegant substitute for the Leghorn grass. 1018. i. 132. ANTIRRHINUM. (From the Greek anti, like, and -Hn, a snout.) lAna'ria, (snap-dragon, y. Ju. Tj.) erect, glabrous; leaves scattered. lanceolate-linear, crowded together; spikes terminal, dense-flower- ed; calyx glabrous, shorter than the spur. Flowers large (toart flax.) Naturalized. 1218. i. 125. AaUILEGIA. (From Aquila, an eagle.) CfcfjKMfat'xif, (wild columbine. O. r. & y. Ap. *2|.) horns straight, stamens exsert, leaves decompound. Growing frequently in ere- rices of rocks. 15. i. Exotic. Vulga'ris, (garden columbine. J. '2J.) horns incurved ; leafv, stem ar leaves glabrous; leaves decompound. The nectariferous horns te- come numerous by culture ; one hollow horn within another. 15. i. 115. ARONIA. Uotry&'f*wm (shad bush, june-berry. O. w. Ap. T?,) leaves obiong oval, cuspidate, glabrous when mature Cwhen first expanded lanceolate 164 AST and downy;) flowers racemed; petals linear; germs puoesccm; segments of the calyx glabrous. 1912. ARUM. Triphyl"lum, (Indian turnip, wild turnip, wake robin, O. p. g. & v. M. 7|.) sub-caulescent ; leaves ternate ; leafets ovate ; acuminate, spadix club-form ; spatha ovate, acuminate, peduncled with the la- mina as long as the spadix. One variety, virens, has a green spa- tha, another, atropurpureujn^ has a dark purple spatha; another, aZ- bum has a white spatha. 1 5. f. 185. ASCLEPiAS. (From JEsculapius, the Founder of Medicine.) 1 . Leaves opposite. Syri'aca, (common milkweed, O. w. p. Ju. QJ.) stem very simpk , leaves lanceolate-oblong, gradually acute, downy beneath; umbels sub-nodding, downy, 3 to five feet high ; flowers in large, close clus- ters, sweet-scented pollinia are fly traps. 3 5. f. Inctirna'ta, (O. r. Ju. 7|.) stem erect, branching above, downy; leaves lanceolate, sub-downy both sides ; umbels mostly double at their ori- gin; the little horn of the nectary exsert. A variety pulckra is more hairy. Var. glabra, almost glabrous. Var. alba, has white flowers. Damp. 3. f. 61. ASPARAGUS. (A Greek name.) Exotic. Offi>cina"lis, (asparagus, Ju. Tj.) stem herbaceous, unarmed, sub-ereci, terete ; leaves bristle- form, soft ; stipules sub-solitary. Naturalized in the northern and southern districts. 4. f. 172. ASTER. (A Star.) Leaves entire. Linariifo"lius, (star-flower O. p. y. Au. Tj.) leaves thick-set, nerve- Jess, linear, mucronate, dotted, carinate, rough, stiff, those on the branches recurved ; stem sub-decumbent ; branches level topped, 1- flowered ; calyx imbricate, of the length of the disk ; stem rough, purplish. Midtijl'orus, (O. w-y. Au. to Nov. 7J.) leaves linear, smoothish ; stem very branching, diffuse, pubescent ; branchlets one way ; calyx im- bricate; scales oblong, scurvy, acute. Cya'neus, (O. b-p. Au. Q.}.) leaves linear-lanceolate, clasping, smooth ; stem wand-like-panicled, very glabrous ; branches racemed ; scales of the calyx lax, lanceolate, equalling the disk, inner ones coloured at the apex. 34. f. Flowers many and large. This is the hand* somest of all asters. Leave* more or less cordate and ovate, serrate, or toothed. Panicula'tus, (O. b-p. Au. to Nov. 7}.) leaves ovate-lanceolate, subser- rate, petioied, glabrous; radical ones, ovate heart form, serrate, rough, petioied; petioles naked; stem very branching, glabrous: CAM 165 Branch ets pilose ; calyx lax, sub-imbricate. 2 4. f. Flowers smallish, numerous. Co-rdifo'lius, (O. w. S. 7J.) leaves heart-form, pilose beneath, sharp ser- rate, petioied; petioles winged ; stem panicled, smoothish ; panicles divaricate ; calyx lax, sub-imbricate. Flowers small. Leaves lanceolate and ovate, lower ones serrate. Exotic. Ckinen''sis, (china aster. <v>) leaves ovate, thickly toothed, petioled j cauline ones sessile, at the base wedge-form; floral ones lanceolate, entire; stem hispid ; branches 1-flbwered; calyx foliaceous. A variety has very full flowers, various coloured, and very short rays. Cultivated. 31. AVENA. Exotic. Sati'va, (oats S. ) panicled; calyx 2-seeded; seeds smooth, one of them awned. 172. BELLIS. (Perhaps from the Latin Bellus, handsome.) Exotic. Peren"nis, (daisy, w. & p. Ap. 1\) leaves obovate, crenate ; scape na- ked, 1 flowered. 12. BL1TUM. (A Greek name.) Capita'tum, (strawberry blite. O. r. J. <v>) heads in a terminal spltfe, not intermixed with leaves; leaves triangular, toothed. 15. i. 5-1. BORAGO. Officina'lis, (borage, b. Ju. <}) leaves a^ernate ; calyx spreading. 142. BRASSICA. Exotic. Ra pa, (turnip. ^ ) root caulescent, orbicular, depressed, fleshy ; radi- cal leaves rough ; cauline ones very entire, smooth. Var. ruta-baga^ has a turbinate, sub-fusiform root. Olea / cea ) (common cabbage, including all the varieties caused by cul- ture. Hp) root caulescent, terete, fleshy; leaves smooth, glaucous, repand lobate. 1213. C ALTHA. (Latin name for Marygold.) Palus'tris, (O. y. Ap. '2J.) stem erect ; leaves cordate, sub-orbicular acute-crenate. 5 1. CAMPANULA. (Latin name, meaning a small bell.) Rotundifo'lia, (flax bell-flower, hare-bell. O. b. J. 7J.) glabrous ; radj cal leaves heart reniform, crenate; cauline ones linear, entire ; pa- nicle lax, few flowered ; flowers nodding. America,n'a, (E. b. Au. 01) leaves ovate lanceolate, long acuminate, lower ones sub-cordate with the petioles ciliate; flowers axillary J66 CEL nearly sessile, in a terminal leafy raceme ; corolla sub-rotate j exsert. Cultivated. 2. f. 205. CANNABIS Exotic. Sati'va, (hemp. G. Au. <v)) stem pilose ; leaves petioled, digitate ; leaf- ets lanceolate, serrate, pilose ; staminate flowers solitary axilla ry $ pistillate ones spiked. 4 10. f. 51. CAPSICUM. (From Greek Kapto, to bite.) Exotic. An"nuum, (guinea pepper, red pepper, cayenne pepper, y-g. w Au ) stem herbaceous: peduncles solitary. From South America. 10-18. i. 171. CARDUUS. Pecttna'tus, (comb-tooth thistle, E. p. J^) unarmed ; leaves decurren lanceolate, pectinately pinnatifid ; peduncles almost terminal, leaf less, very long, about 1-flowered; flowers nodding, often discharg ing the pollen; scales of the calyx linear spreading. 193. CAREX. (From the Latin careo, to want.) Ster"ilis, (barren sedge. O. M. 1|_) spikelets in fives, sessile, approxi- mate ; fruit ovate, acuminate or somewhat beaked, 2-cleft, 3-side<f compressed, scabrous at the margin ; equalling the obovate acutish scale. 8. i. Wet. 101. CASSIA. (A Latin name.) Mariland"ica,, (wild senna, O. y. Au. '2J.) somewhat glabrous ; leaves in 8 pairs, lance oblong, mucronate ; flowers in axillary racemes, and in terminal panicles ; legumes linear, curved. River alluvion, 24. f. Cham(Ecrist"a, (cassia, partridge pea. E. y. Au. <v>) somewhat gla- brous ; leaves linear, in many pairs, the glands of the petioles sub- pedicelled ; two of the petals spotted ; legumes pubescent. A mosl elegant plant. 8 16. i. Dry sand, &c. 1912. CASTANEA. (From Castana, name of an ancient City.) America' na, (chestnut. O. g. J. T?) leaves lance-oblong, sinuate serrate, with the serratures mucronate, glabrous both sides. Large tree. < 2 r 1. CATALPA. (An Indian name.) Cfrrdifo'lia, (M. w. & y. T?) leaves simple, cordate, entire, by threes ; flowers in panicles. 40- 50Pf. Grows wild ; n the Southern States, but with us is an exotic. 51. CELASTRUS. Sum 'dens, (false bittersweet, staff tree. O. y. w. J. 17) stem twining; leaves oblong, acuminate, serrate ; racemes terminal. Retains its scarlet berries through the winter. C O N 167 4-1. CEPHALANTHUS. .'lis, (button bush, O. w. Ju. T?) leaves opposite and in threes, oval, acuminate. Inflorescence a round head. Swamps. Var. pub- iscens, has the leaves and branchlets pubescent. 4 5. f. J4 2. CHEIRANTHUS. (From the Greek ckeir, a hand, and an- Ihos, a flower.) Exotic. Chei rt, (wall flower. J. 7|) leaves lanceolate, acute, glabrous ; branches angled ; stem somewhat of a woody texture. An"nuus, (stock-july-flower. Ju. <2>) leaves lanceolate, sub-dentate ob- tuse, hoary ; silique cylindric, with an acute apex. 10 1. CHIMAPHILA. (From cheima, winter, and philos, a lover.) Umbella'ta, (prince's pine, bitter winter-green. O. r. w. Ju. 1\) leaves serrate, uniformly green, wedge-lanceolate, with an acute base; scape corymbed; filaments glabrous. 21. CHIONANTHUS. (From chion, snow, and anthos, a flower.) Virgin"ica } (fringe tree, w. M. f?) panicle terminal, trifid ; peduncles 3-flowered ; leaves acute. Var. montanus, leaves oval lanceolate, coriaceous; glabrous ; panicle dense ; drupe oval. Var. maritimus, leaves ovate-lanceolate, membranaceous, pubescent; panicle very lax ; drupe eleiptic. Berries purplish-blue. 172. CHRYSANTHEMUM. (From chrusos, gold, and antAos, a flower.) Leucan"themum, (ox-eyed daisy. O. J. 7J.) leaves clasping, lanceolate ; serrate, cut-toothed at the base ; stem erect, branching. 1220. i. Exotic. Parthe'nium, (feverfew) leaves petioled, compound, flat ; leafets ovate, gashed-; peduncles branching, corymbed ; stem erect. 2 1. CIRCAEA. (From Circe, name of an enchantress.) Lutetia'na } (enchanter's night-shade, O. Aug. r w. 7J.) stem erect ; leaves ovate, remotely toothed, opaque, nearly smooth. 1 2. f. 1213. CLEMATIS. (From Klema, a tendril.) Virgin"ica, (virgin's bower. O. w. Ju. 17) climbing; leaves ternate ; leafets ovate, sub-cordate, gash-toothed and lobate, flowers panicled, dioecious. 15 20. f. 193. COMPTONIA. (Named from Bishop Compton.^ Asplenifo'lia, (sweet-fern. O. g. Ap. h) feaves long-linear, alternately crenate-pinnatifid. 18 48. i. 51. CONVOLVULUS. (From convolve, to entwine.) Ripens, (field bind-weed. O. w. & r. J. Tj.) twining; leaves sagittate with the apex acute and the lobes truncate/entire (some obtuse :) bracts ^.cute, longer than the calyx, and shorter than the middle o? the corolla ; peduncle angled, exceeding the petiole 168 C Y P Exotic. Purvu'reus, (common morning glory, b. p. J. ) pubescent; leavei cordate, entire; peduncles 2 to 5 flowered ; pedicels nodding, thick- ened ; divisions of the calyx lanceolate ; capsules glabrous. Culti- vated. 41. CORNUS. (From Cornu, horn.) Canaden'sts, (dogweed, low-cornel. O. w. M. 1|.) herbaceous ; leaves at the top, whorled, veiny, involucres ovate, acuminate ; fruit glo- bose. 4 8. i. jFlo'rida, (false box, dogwood tree, w. y. M. 17) leaves ovate, acumi- nate; involucres 4, very large, somewhat obcordate; fruit ovate 1530. f. 115. CRAT^GUS. (From kratos, tough.) Cocci 'nea, (thorn-bush. O. w. M. V}) thorny ; leaves long petioled, ovate, acutely-lobed, serrate, glabrous; petioles and pubescent ca- lyx glandular ; flowers pentagynous. Var. viridis, has lance o tr at leaves, sub-trilobate ; stem unarmed. 31. CROCUS. Officina'lis, (saffron, y. Qj.) leaves linear, with re volute margins > .stig- ma exsert, with long-linear segments. Var. sativus, having violet corollas. 1916. CUCUMIS. Exotic. Sati'vus, (cucumber, y. Ju. ) angles of the leaves straight ; pomact> ous berry oblong, scabrous. Brought from Asia. 13U 16. CUCURBIT A. (Latin word for gourd.) Exotic. Pep"o, (pumpkin, y. Ju. <v>) leaves cordate obtuse, sub 5-lobed, denti culate ; pomaCeous berry roundish or oblong, smooth. Var. patiro, has the fruit more or less flattened. From Asia. Citnti"lus, (watermelon, y. Au. <v)) leaves o-lobed; the lobes sinuate pinnatifid, obtuse ; pomaceous berry oval, smooth. Fruit watery, often striped. From Africa and the south of Asia. 171. CVNARA. Exotic. Scol'ymus, (garden artichoke. O. p. Ju. <?) very soft-pubescent ; leaves broad lanceolate, sessile ; panicled racemes. CYNOGLOSSUM. (From kuon, a dog, and glossa, tongue.) Offici'nale, (hound's-tongue. O. p. Ju. J 1 ) very soft-pubescent ; leaves* broad, lanceolate, sessile; panicled racemes. IS 2. CYPRIPED1UM. (From Kupris, name of Venus, and po- dion, a slipper.) Fubes"cens. (yellow lady's slipper, y. M. 1{.) stem leafy; lobe of the E R Y 16? style oval-cordate, obtuse; outer petals bread- oval, obtuse; Uj iongrr thin the petals, split before. 82. DACTYLIS. (From daktulos, a finger.) Glomera'ta (orchard grass. E. J. Tj.) panicle glomerate; leaves can* nate. 23. f. 51. DATURA. Stramo'mum, (thorn apple. O. w-b. Au. <2>) pericarps spinose, erect, ovate; leaves ovate, glabrous, angular-dentate. 52. DAUCUS. Caro'ta, (carrot, w. J. J* ) seeds hispid ; petioles nerved underside ; h visions of the leafets narrow-linear, acute. 2 3. f. 122. DELPHINIUM. (From Delphis, a dolphin.) Exotic. f'4nsol"idum, (larkspur, b. Ju. <2>) nectaries 1-leaved; stem sub-divi- ded. Naturalized. 102. DIANTHUS. (From Dios, Jupiter, and anthos, a flower.) Atme'ria, (wild pink. r. Ju. <v)) flowers aggregate, fascicled; scales o the calyx lanceolate, villose, equalling the tube. 1. f. Exotic. Karba'tus, (sweet-william, r. & w. Ju. QJ.) flowers fascicled ; scales j the calyx ovate-subulate, equalling the tube ; leaves lanceolate. r wyophyl"lus, (carnation or pink, r. & w. 1\) flowers solitary ; scales of the calyx sub-rhomboid, very short; petals crenate, beardless; leaves linear-subulate, channelled. By rich culture the stamens change to petals.* 101. EPIG^EA. (From Epi, upon, and ge, the earth.) Ke'pcns, (trailing arbutus. O. r. & w. Ap. 17) stem creeping; branches and petioles very hirsute ; leaves cordate-ovate, entire ; corolla cy- lindric. 155. ERODIUM. (From Erodios, a heron.) Exotic. Cico'nium, (storkbill geranium. O) peduncled many-flowered; leaves pinnate; leaflets pinnatifid, toothed; petals oblong, obtuse; stem ascending. 61. ERYTHRONIUM. (From Eruthros, red.) America'num, (dog tooth violet, adder's tongue. O. y. Ap. 7|.) leaves * The carnation differs from the common pink only on account of a peculiar mode of culture. 15 170 G L E lance-oval, punctate ; petals oblong lanceolate, obtuse at the point ; inner onss 2-dentate near the base; style clavate; stigma entire (stigmas 3.) 68. i. 171. EUPATORIUM. (From Eupator, a king of Ponms.) Perfolia'tum, (boneset, thorough-wort, O. w. Au. ^) leaves connate perfoliate, oblong serrate, rugose, downy beneath ; stem villose. 2.1 1113. FRAGARIA. (From Fragans, sweet smelling.) Virgmia'na, (wild strawberry. O. w. M. 1|.) calyx of the fruits spread- ing; hairs on the petioles erect, on the peduncles close pressed; 1 eaves somewhat glabrous above. 61. FRITILLARIA. (From Fritillus, a dice box.) Exotic* Imperia'lis, (crown imperial, r. & y. M. 7J.) flowers under a leafy crown % nodding ; leaves lance-linear, entire. From Persia. 61. GALANTHUS. (From Gala, milk, and aMos, a flower.) Niva'lis, (snow drop. w. Ap. TJ.) leaves linear, keeled, acute, radical ; scape 1-flowered. 5~ 2. GENTIANA. (^rom Gentius, a king of Illyna.) Crini'ta, (fringed gentian. O. b. S. 9|) stem terete ; branches lonjj, 1-flowcied ; leaves lanceolate, acute ; corolla 4-cleft ; divi^iuiis ubo vate, gi,-h ciliate. 18. i. 15 10. GERANIUM. (From Geranos, a stork.) Macula'tum, (crow foot or wild geranium. O. r. & b. J. 7J.) erect ; pu- bescence reversed; stem dichotomous; leaves opposite, 3 or 5-pait- ed, gashed; upper cnes sessile; peduncles 2-flowered; petals obo- vate. 12. f. Exotic. Sanguin"eitm, (bloody geranium. 7J.) peduncle 1-flowered leaves 5 parted, 3-cleft, orbicular ; capsule bristly at the top. 132. GERARD I A. (From Gerarde, an ancient botanist.) Floioers yellow. Fla'va, (False foxglove. O. y. Ju. Tj.) pubescent ; stem nearly simple , leaves sub-sessile, lanceolate, entire or toothed ; lower ones sub-pin- natifid, gashed ; flcwtrs axillary, opposite, sub-sessile. 2 3. f. 131. GLECHOMA. (A Greek name.) Ucfat&'ctai (ground ivy, gill-overground. O. b. & r. M. 1}.) leaves reniform crenatc ; stem rooting. Var. cordata t leaves cordate. H Y P 171 172. GNAPHALIUM. (A Greek name.) Marganta'ceum, (large flower, life-everlasting. O. y. & w. Ju. 7J.) leaves linear-lanceolate, gradually narrowing, ac n te ; stem branching above \ corymb fastigiate ; flowers pedicelled. Flowers v, ith white pearly rays and yellow disks. 1 2. f. 131. HEDEOMA. Pulegio'ides, (pennyroyal. O. b. J. O) pubescent; leaves oblong, ser- rate ; peduncles axillary, whorled. 6 8. i. 173. HELIANTHUS. (From Elios, the sun, and anthos, flower.) Exotic. An"nuus, (common sunflower, y. & w. Ju. 7|) leaves aL cordate, 3- ner.ved ; peduncles thickening upwards ; flowers nodding. 6 10. f. 1213. HEPATICA. (From Hepar, the liver.) Acutil"oba, (heart-liverleaf. O. w. & b. Ap. TJ.) leaves cordate, 3 to 5- lobed ; lobes entire, acute ; leaves of the calyx acute. Grows in woods, preferring the north side of hills and mountains. 5. i. America/no,, (kidney-liverleaf. O. w. & b. Ap. 7J.) leaves heart-reni- form, 3-lobed ; lobes entire, round-obtuse ; leaves of the calyx ob- tuse. Grows chiefly in the woods, preferring the south side of hills and mountains. This is sometimes called the triloba. 5. i. 11. HIPPURIS. (From ippos, a horse, and oura, tail.) Vulga'ris, (mare's-tail. y-g, M. 0|) leaves Lioa r, and lance linear, ver- ucillate. 41. HOUSTONIA. (From Houston, a fcrtanist.) Ceru'laa, (innocence, forget-me-not. O. b. & w. M. 7J.) stem erect, se- taceous, dichotomous ; radical leaves spatulate ; cauiine ones oblan- ceolate, opposite ; peduncles 1-flowered, elongated. 4 6. i. Verv common in New England. 205. HUMULUS. l/u'puius t (hop. O. g-y. Au. ^) stem twining with the sun j leaves lobed. 102. HYDRANGEA. (From ffudor, water, and angeion, a vessel.) Vulga'ris, (hydrangea. E. w. Au. TV) leaves oblong-ovate, obtuse at the base, acuminate, glabrous beneatn ; cymes naked. 5. f. 12-5. HYPERICUM. Perfora'tum, (O. y. J. Tj.) erect, branching ; stem 2-edged ; leaves ob- long, obtuse, transparently punctate; panicle terminal-brachiare, leafy; petals twice as long a* .he acute, lanceolate calyx. This is the common St. John':* wort, so troublesome to farmers. 1- -3. i. 172 LAC 5 1. IMPATIENS. (Signifying impatunt, from the elastic cipsule.) Pal"lida, (jewel-weed, touch-me-not. O. y. Ju. <v>) peduncles solitary, 2 and 4-flowered; nectary obtusely conic, dilated, shorter than the petals; spur recurved, very short; flowers sparingly punt ate, leaves rhomb-ovate, mucronate-toothed. 2 4. f. Ful'va, has the corollas with crowded spots. Exotic. Bal's&mina, (garden lady's slipper) peduncles aggregate, 1-flowered , leaves lanceolate, upper ones alternate ; hooded petal (or nectary) shorter than the other petals ; colour various. 31. IRIS. (From Iris, the rainbow.) Ver&ic"olor, (O. b. J. 7J.) leaves ensiform; stem acute on one side; Capsules oblong, 3-sided, with obtuse angles. 2 3. f. Exotic. Plica'tcL. (garden iris. p. w. M. 7].) bearded ; stem many flowered higher than the leave ; petals undulate-plicate, erect ones broadest. 1824. i. Pn'mila^ vdwari-flower-de-luce. b. M. 7J-) bearded; scape 1-flowered; eaves ensiform, glabrous ; tube of the corolla exsert ; petals ob*:>ng, obtuse. 610. i. 39. IXIA. (From Ixia, birdlime.) Chinen"sis, (blackberry-lily, y. r. J. Tj.) corolla about 6 petaled ; stenr flex'ious; leaves ensiform. 21. JASMINUM. (From Ion, violet, and osme, odour.) Fruf'icans, (jasmine, y. 17) leaves alternate, ternate, simple; leafets obovate, wedge-form, obtuse ; branches angled. 101. KALMIA. (From Kalm, a botanist.) Lalijo'lia, (laurel. E. w. &r. Ju. 17) leaves long petioled, scattered, and in threes, oval, smooth both sides; corymbs terminal, with viscid hairs. 320. f. Angustifo'lia, (sheep laurel. O. J. 17) leaves in threes, petioled, oblong, obtuse, sometimes rusty beneath; corymbs lateral; bracts linear; peduncles and calyx with glandular hairs. Var. ovata, taller* leaves broader, sub-ovate. 2 3. f. 17- *1. LACTUCA. (From Lac t milk.) Exotic. Sati'wz, (lettuce, y. Ju. 0) leaves roundish; cauhne ones cordate; stem corymbed. Var. romana, has oblong, straight leaves, narrow- ed at the base. Var. latiniata, has the lower leaves pinnatifJ, and the upper ones runcinate. LON 173 1610. LATHYRUS. (A Greek name.) Exotic. Odora'ius, (sweet pea. J. ) peduncles 2-flowered j lendriJ with -ovate oblong leafets ; legumes hirsute. 91. LAURUS. Sas'^afras, (sassafras tree. O. y. M. 17) leaves entire and lobed on the same plant ; flowers mostly dioecious. 10 25. f. 131. LAVANDULA. (From Lavare, to wash.) Exotic. Spi'ca, (lavender. Au. TJ.) leaves sessile, lance linear, with re volute margins j spike interruptedly naked. 171. LEONTODON. (From Leon, a lion, and odous, a tooth, in allusion to its leaf.) Tarax'acum, (dandelion. O. y. Ap. 1J.) outer calyx reflexed ; scape 1- flowered, leaves runcinate, with toothed divisions. Introduced. 61. LILIUM. Philadel"phicum, (red lily. O. r. y. J. 1|.) leaves whorled, lance linear : corolla erect, bell-form, spreading ; petals lanceolate, having claws. 13. f. Exotic. Can"didum, (white lily. w. J. 1|_) leaves lanceolate, scattered, tapering to the base ; corolla bell-form, glabrous within. Bulb"iferum, (orange lily. y. J. 7|.) leaves scattered, 3-nerved ; corolla campanulate, erect, scabrous within. 55. LINUM. Exotic. U$itatis''simun, (flax. b. Ju. <?)) leafets of the calyx, acute, 3-nerved'. petals crenate ; leaves lanceolate, alternate ; stem sub-solitary. 51. LOBELIA. (From Label, a botanist.) Cardina'lis, (cardinal flower. O. r. Ju. 7|_) erect, simple, pubescent leaves lance-ovate, acuminate, denticulate; racemes somewhat one sided, many flowered ; stamens longer than corollas. Damp. 1 2. f. Infla'ta, (wild Jobacco. O. b. Ju. <v)) erect, branching, very hirsute; leaves ovate, serrate ; racemes leafy ; capsules inflated. 12 18. i. 51. LONICERA. (From Lonicer, a botanist.) Sempervi'rens, (E. r. y. M. f?) spikes with distant, nakedish whorls; corollas sub-equal; tube ventricose above; leavesVvate, and obovate, glaucous beneath ; upper ones connate perfoliate. Leave* perennial. Exotic. Capri folium, (honeysuckle. T?) corollas ringent-like, terminal; sessile leaves connate perfoliate at the top. 15* 74 M O N 14 1. LUNARIA. (Prom Luna, the moon.) Exotic. Ridwi'va, (satin flower, b-p. 7|.) leaves with mucronate teeth ; silicics tapering to both ends. Flowers odorous. 1610. LUPINUS. (A Latin name.) Pcren"nis, (wild lupine. O. b. M. M stem and leaves smoothisa; leaves digitate, with about 8 to 10 leafets, which are oblanceplaie, obtusish : calyxes alternate, not appendaged; banner emarginat% keel entire. 1218. i. 4r 1. LYCIUM. (From Lycia, a country of Asia.) Exotic. Barba"rum, (matrimony vine. J. r. y. \i) stem angled ; branches erw , leaves lanceolate, tapering to both ends ; calyx mostly 3-cleft. 5 1. LYSIMACHIA. (From Lysimachus, an ancient king.) ftric"ta, (loose strife. O. y. Ju. 7J.) raceme terminal, very long, lax ; leaves opposite, lanceolate, sessile ; petals lanceolate, spreading. 12. f. 1513. MALVA. Rotundifo'lia, (low-mallows. O. r. w. J. 7L) leaves heart-orbicular, ob- soletely 5-lobed ; peduncles bearing the fruit declined ; stem pros- trate. Very common. Exotic. Sylves"tris, (mallows, r-b. I. <^ and 7J.) stem erect; leaves about 7- lobed, acutish ; peduncles and petioles hairy. 131. MENTHA. Exotic. Piperi'ta, (peppermint, p. Au. Tj.) spike& obtuse, interrupted below; leaves sub-ovate, somewhat glabrous, petioled ; stem glabrous at the base. Naturalized. I 2. f. Viri'dis, (spear mint. p. Au.) leaves lanceolate, sessile; spikes elonga- ted, interrupted ; stamens long. 1 2. f. 51. MIRABILIS. (In Latin, admirable.) Exotic. Jal"apa, (four o'clot*. r. y. Ju. Tj.) flowers heaped, pedunclea; glabrous. 2 1. MONARDA. (From Monardes', a Spanish physician.) Kd"yma, (mountain mint. O. r. J. Tj.) leaves ovate, acuminate, sub- cor'date, somewhat hairy ; flowers in simple or proliferous heads v outer bracts large, coloured, lanceolate. Var. angustifolia, leaves tance-ovate, acuminate, pubescent; stern pubescent. 1824 i PEL '75 10 1. MONOTROPA. (From monos, single, and trepo, tx turn.) Unifio'ra, (bird's nest, Indian pipe. C w. J. 7J-) stem 1-flowered flowe? nodding at first, at length erec' scales of the stem apprc ximate. Whole plant ivory white at firs' 48. i. 194. IS ORUS. 53. Exotic Wba, (white mulberry. M. T^) leaves heart-form, wath oolique bases, ovate or lobed, unequally serrate, smoothish. From China and Persia. Naturalized. 15 20. f. 131. NEPETA. (From Nepct, a town of Tuscany.) Cata'ria^ (catmint, catnep. O. b-w. Q|.) hoary pubescent ; flowers ir whorlcd spikes; leaves petioled, cordate tooth serrate. 81. CENOTHERA. (From anas, wine, and tkera, a beast. Capsules elongated sessile. Bien"nis, (scabish, evening primrose. O. y. J. J 1 ) stem villose, sca- b~ous; leaves lance-ovate, flat-toothed ; flowers sub-spiked, sessile; stamens shorter than the corolla. 3 5. f. 181. ORCHIS gpecteJri'lis, (O. r. M. 7J.) lip obovate, undivided, crenate, retuse, petals straight; lateral ones longest; spur clavate, shorter than the germ; bracts longer than the flowers ; stem leafless. 3 6. i. 12 3. P^EONIA. (From Paon, an ancient Physician.} Ojficina'lis, (peony, r. J. 7J_) leaves decompound ; icafets lobed, lobes broad-lanceolate, capsules downy. 121. PAP AVER. (Ola Latin name.) Exotic. Somnif'erum, (opium poppy. J. ) calyx and capsule glabrous ; leav clasping, gashed, glaucous. 157. PELARGONIUM. (From Pelargos, a stork.) Exotic. 1. Nearly stemless : root tuberous. Tris"te, (mourning geranium,) umbel simple; leaves rcugh-haiitd. p'nnate, leafets bipinnatifid ; divisions oblong acute. F.owers daik green. 2. Leaves simple, not angled. Odoratis"simum, (sweet scented geranium. 1^) peduncles sub-5-flow ered ; leaves round cordate very soft. 3. Leaves simple, mart, or less angled, or lobed. , (horse shoe geranium. T?) umbels inanv-flowerec 1 ; eaves hear* no p i N orbicular, obsoletely lobed, toothed, with a coloured zone or bai.d around near the margin. Qucrcifo'lium, (oak-leaf geranii. n. t^) umbels sub-many-flowered ; leaves cordate, pinnatifid crena 2; sinuses rounded; filaments as- cending at the apex. 132. PENTSTEMON. (From *>cnte, 5, and stemon, a stamen.) ubes"cens, (beard tongue. O. w. p. J. 7|.) stem hairy ; leaves serrulate, lance-oblong, sessile ; flowers panicled ; the barren filament bearded from the apex to below the middle. 32. PHALARIS. (From Pkalos, shining ) America'na, (ribbon grass, wild canary grass. E. Ju. f Z|) panicle ob- long, spiked; glumes of the calyx boat-shaped, serrulate; corolla unequal ; rudiments hairy. Var. picta, leaves variously striped This variety is the ribbon grass of the gardens. 2 5. f. 1610. PHASEOLUS. (From Phascolus, a little boat, from tht shape of its pod.) Exotic. Vulga'ris, (common pole bean. p. w. Ju. <2>) stem twining; solitary, shorter than the leaves ; peduncles in pairs ; bracks smallei than the calyx, spreading; legumes pendulous. From the Eas Indies. AVTms, (bush bean, six weeks bean. &) stem erect, smooth; bracks larger than the calyx; legumes pendulous, compressed, rugose. Seeds variously coloured. 111. PHILADELPHUS. (From philo, to love, and adelphos, h brother.) Exotic. Corona'rius, (mock orange, false syringa. w. J. T?) styles distinct j leaves ovate, sub-dentate. 32. PHLEUM. Praten"se, (timothy grass. O. J. 1J- and <^) spike cylindric, calyx mu- cronate awned; keel ciliate; awn shorter than the calyx; culm ^rect. Introduced. 23. f. 51. PHLOX. (From Phlox, aflame.) Panicula'ta, (smooth-stem lichnidia, r. w. Ju. Tj.) glabrous erect, leaves lanceolate, narrowing gradually fiat ; margins rough ; co rvmbs panicled, divisions of the corolla rounded; calyx awned. Cultivated. 23. f. 1010. PHYTOLACCA (From Phutor, a plant, and latca, gum.) Decan ft dra, (poke-weed. O. w. Ju. 7J.) leaves ovate, acute &t both ends ' flowers racemed ; berries flattened at the ends. 3 6. f. 1016. PINUS. Leaves solitary with separate basis. Canaden"st$, (hemlock tree. O. M. J?) leaves flat ; denticulate, 2-rankei 5 P R U 177 strobiief ovate ; terminal, scarcely longer dan the leaves. The bark is us*d in tanning leather. 1* 10. PISUM. Exotic. 8att"wm, rpea. p. w. J. > petioles terete ; stipules round and cre- nate at the base ; peduncles many flowered. Var. umbellatum, (bo- quet pea,) has he stipules 4-eleft acute. Var. qu/idratum, (quadrate pea,) fruit ash colour, 4-sided. Var. kumile, (dwarf pea,) stem erect, not climbing ; ieafets roundish. 32. POA. Praten"sis, (meadow grass. O. J. ^) panicle diffuse; upper leaves much shorter than the smooth sheaths; florets acute, 5 nerved, webbed at the base; stipule short truncate; root creeping. 2 3. f. 13- -1. PODOPHYLLUM. (Fromjwws, a foot, andphullon, a leaf.) p^lta'tum, (wild mandrake, may-apple. O. w. M. 3J.) stem terminated with 3 peltate palmate leaves ; flower single, inserted in the fork, formed by the petioles of the leaves. Sometimes the plant is three leaved, and sometimes the flower is inserted on the side of one ol the petioles. 1 2. f. 166. POLYGALA. (From polus, much, and gala,, milk.) Paucifo'lia, (flowering wintergreen. O. r. M. QJ.) small, large flow- ered ; stem simple, erect, naked below ; leaves ovate, acute, gla- brous near the top of the stem ; flowers crested, terminal, about in threes. 3 4. i. 20-8. POPULUS. Exotic. LKlata'ta, (lombardy poplar, Italian poplar, Ap. Q) leaves glaorous both sides, acuminatf*. serrate, deltoid, the breadth equal to, or ex- ceeding the length ; branches erect, close to the stem. 1113. POTENTILLA. (From potentia, power.) Leaves digitate in fives, rarely in sevens. s, (common five finger. O. y. M. 7|.) procumbent, sub-ra- mose, whitish silky ; stipules ovate, gashed ; leaves wedge obovate, gash toothed ; stem ascending, and creeping hirsute; peduncles so- litary, elongated; divisions of the calyx lance-linear, petals orbicu- lar, sub-entire, of the length of the calyx. 131. PRUNELLA. Vulga'ris, var. pennsylvanica, (heal-all, self-heal. O. J. '2J.) leaves peti- ofed, oblong-ovate, toothed at the base; lips of the calyx unequal* upper one truncate, awned; stem ascending. 6 12. i. * 173 RIB 12-1. PRUNUS. Flowers in racemes. Virginia'na, (wild cherry, rum cherry, cabinet cherry. O. w. M. 1?) racemes erect, elongated; leaves oval-oblong, acuminate, unequally serrate, glabrous both sides; petioles generally bearing 4 glands. In open fields the limbs of this tree spread out into an elegant oval top ; but in dense forests it grows to a very great height, with a lew contracted branches. Exotic. Cer"asus, (garden cherry, w. r. 1?) umbel sub-peduncled ; lea/e lance- ovate, glabrous, conduplicate. Domes ' tica, (plum. w. M. 17) peduncles sub-solitary; leaves lance- ovate, convolute ; branches thornless. 10 1. PYROLA. (From pyrus, a pear, from the form of its leaf.) Kotundifo'lia, (shin leaf, pear leaf, wintergreen. 0. w. J. 7J.) style de- clined ; leaves rounded, or broad oval, obsoletely serrulate, sub-cori- aceous, shining; petiole about as long as the lamina; scape many flowered. & 12. i. 115. PYRUS. Exotic. Commu'nis, (pear. E. w-r. M. T?) leaves ovate, serrate, (rarely entire;) peduncles corymbed. Ma'lus, (apple. E. w-r. M. T?) flowers in sessile umbels ; leaves ovate- oblong, acuminate, serrate, glabrous; claws of the petals shorter than the calyx ; styles glabrous. Var. sylvestris, (wild apple,) leaves ovate serrate ; fruit small, austere. 1912. QUERCUS. Alba, (white oak. O. M. T?) leaves oblong, sinuate pinnatind. pube- scent beneath ; lobes obtuse, entire, narrowed at their bases, parti- cularly on full grown trees ; fruit peduncled ; calyx somewhat bowl form, tubercled, flattened at the base ; acorn ovate. The most use- ful timber in America. 70 80. f. 1213. RANUNCULUS. (From rana, a frog.) A'cns, (crow foot, butter cup. O. y. M. Tj.) hairs close pressed, leavts 3-parted ; many-cleft; upper ones linear; peduncles terete; calyx spreading. 12. f. 142. RAPHANUS. 39. 63. Exotic. Sati'vuz, (garden radish, w. J. <v>) leaves lyrate ; sihqne terete; to- rose, 2-celled. There are several varieties of this species one has a fusiform, another a globose, another a black root. 51. RIBES. 1*'nflo'rum, (wild gooseberry. A. g. M. 17) spine sub-axillary; leaves glabrous, 3 5-lobed, sash-toothed ; peduncles sub 3-flowered, with SAG 179 uie pedicels elongated; brads very short; petals spatulate. undu- late ; style hirsute, half 2 or 3-cleft, exsert ; berry glabrous. Ber- ries pale red. 3 4. f. Exotit, fiu'brum, (currant, g. M. 17) unarmed ; racemes glabrous, nodding; corolla flat 5 petals obcordate ; leaves obtusely 5-lobed ; stem erect. Berries red. 2 4. f. 1915. RIC1NUS. C-ommu'ms, v castor-oil plant. <?)) leaves peltate, palmate ; lobes lanceo- late, serrate; stem with hoary mealiness. 4 6. f. 1610. ROBINIA. (From Robin, a French botanist.) Pseudo-aca'cia, (locust tree, false acacia. A. w. M. Tj) leaves pinnate with a terminal leafet; stipules thorny, or a thorn; racemes pen- dant; teeth of the calyx unawned; legumes smooth. 30 40. f. 11 -13. ROSA. RuMgino'sa, (sweet briar, r. J. J?) germ ovate ; peduncles and petioles glandular hispid; petioles somewhat prickly; stem glabrous; prickles scattered, hooked slender; leafets (5 or 7) ovate, serrate, fib-glandular beneath. 3 4. f. Exotic. Damasce'na, (damask rose. w. r. J. 17) calyx half pinnate; germ ovate, turgid, (thickened near its top,) bristly ; stem and petioles prickly, leafets ovate, pointed, downy beneath. Musco'sa^ (moss rose. r. Au. [7) germs ovate; calyx, peduncles, peti- oles, and branches hispid, glandular viscid, (moss-like ;) spines of the branches scattered, straight. Cinnamo'mea, (cinnamon rose. 1?) germs globose; germs and peduri- cles glabrous ; stem with stipular prickles ; petioles somewhat un- armed ; leafets oblong. Stem brown cinnamon colour. 1113. RUBUS. Oleus, (garden raspberry, w. M. 1?) leaves quinate-pinnate, and ter- nate ; leafets rhomb-ovate, acuminate, downy bereath ; petioles chan- nelled ; stem prickly, hispid flowers sub-pan icle<-'. Var. america-nus. branchlets nearly glabrous ; stem and petioles teiete; leaves ali LCT- nate ; pedicels somewhat prickly. 4 6. f. ndgra'tus, (flowering raspberry, r. J. 17) unarmed, erect, viscid, nis- pidj leaves simple, acutely 3 or 5-lobed ; corymb, terminal, spread- ing. Flowers iarge; berries rather dry and thin. 3 6. f. 101. RUTA. Exotic. Grave'olens, (rue,) leaves more than decompound ; lesflts oblong, i minal ones obovate ; petals entire. 1912. SAGITTAR1A. (Groin sagitta, an arr w.^ ^agittifo'lia, (arrow head. O. w. Ju. 7|.) leaves lanc*t* ; etp a^utc, "a* lobes lanceolate acute, straight. 12. f. < S I L 11. SALICQRNIA. (From an old French word, sahcsr., tferba'cea, (samphire, glasswort. L. Au. *D) herbaceous, spreading joints compressed at the apex, emarginate bifid. Var. virginica, has :he branches undivided, and the jointed spikes very long. Tru fructification is very obscure ; but it may be known by its leafless nearly cylmdric jointed branches. It grows in salt marshes alonj? the sea-board, and at Onondaga salt springs. 12 18. i. 202. SALIX. Babyloni's*, (weeping willow. M. l^)branchlets pendant; leaves lance- olate, acuminate, serrate glabrous, upper and lower sides of differem colours ; stipules roundish, contracted ; aments flower at leafing time; germs sessile, ovate, glabrous. Supposed to be the willow on Mrhich the Israelites hung their harps, when captive in Babylon. ID troduced. 21. SALVIA. (From salvo, to save.) Exotic. Officina"lis, (sage. b. J. 7j.or T?) leaves lance-ovate, crenulate; whorls few-flowered ; calyx mucronate. 53. SAMBUCUS. Canaden"sis, (black-berried-elder. O. w. J. Tj) branchlets and petiole?? glabrous ; leafets about in 4 pairs, oblong-oval, glabrous, shining, acuminate; cyme lax, divided into about 5 parts. 8 15. f. 6 1. SANGUINARIA. (From sanguis, blood.) C&naden"sis ) (blood-root. O. w. Ap. Q|) leaves sub-reniform, sinuate- lobed; scape 1-flowered. A variety, has linear petals. 610. i. 102. SAPONARIA. (From sapo, soap.) Exotic. Offidna'lis, (soapwort, bouncing bet. w. J. 9|.) calyx cylindric; leaves lance-ovate, opposite sub-connate, entire. Probably introduced, and naturalized. 10 18. i. 10 2. SAXIFRAGA. (From saxum, a stone, and frango, to break.) Sarmentosa, (beef-st^ak geranium, w. Au. 7|.) leaves roundish, tooth- ed, hairy; sendii.g off creeping shoots; 2 petals in each flower longer. 131. SCI; TELLARIA. (From scutella, a shield.) Isitenflo'ra, (mad-'iog, scull-cap, hood-wort. O. b. Ju. Tj.) branching glabrous; leaver long-oetioled, ovate, toothed; cauline ones sub-cor- date ; racemes 1 tterai, leafy. Damp. 1 2. f. 32. SECALE. Ccrea'fp, (rye. J ^) glumes and bristles scabrous-ciliate; corolla smooili. Introduced. 10 3. STLFNE. (From Silenus, a bacchanalian of ancieat times.) *ennsi]l M idea, (pikk-catchfly. p. M. J. Ij.) viscidjy pubescent ; radicu TAG JS1 leaves wedge-form; stem-leaves lanceolate; panicles trichotomous; petals slightly emarginate, very obtuse, sub-crenate. 8 12. i. 142. SINAPIS. Exotic. Xi'gra, (common mfcstard. y. J. (v>) silique glabrous, 4-angled, close pressed to the stem; leaves at the top lance-linear, entire, smooth. JN'aturalized. 153. SISYRINCHIUM. (From sus, a hog, and runchion, a snout.) An"ceps, (blue-eyed grass. O. b. J. 7|.) scape (or culm) simple, 2-edgred or 2- winged ; glume-like, spatha of 2 unequal valves, extending above the flower ; petals mucronate. 6 12. i. 5 1. SOLANUM. (From solor, to comfort.) Dulcama'ra, (bittersweet. E. p-b. Ju. T?) stem unarmed, woody, climb- ing; lower leaves mostly cordate, glabrous; upper ones mostly gui- tar-hastate, few-flowered ; corymbs opposite to the leaves. Exotic. Tubero'sum, (potato, b. w. Ju. 17) stem wing-angled, unarmed; leaves interruptedly pinnate; leafets entire; flowers sub-corymbed j roots knobbed-tuberous. Cultivated. 172. SOLID AGO. (From solido, to strengthen.) Canadcn"sis, (Canadian golden-rod. O. y. Ju. r 2|) stem downy; leaves lanceolate, serrate, rough; racemes copious panicled, recurved; rays hardly longer than the disk; stem angular; leaves sessile, three inches long, sometimes nearly entire. 25. f. Lateriflo'ra, (side-flowered golden rod. y. Au. Tj.) stem erect, a little hairy; leaves lanceolate, slightly 3-nerved, glabrous, rongh-edjred ; lower ones sub-serrate; racemes panicled, a little recurved; flowers large, the rays bein^ much longer than the calyx; stem striated, often purplish, pinnatifid, with numerous lateral flowering branches. 2 -3 f. 32. SORGHUM. (An Indian name.) Exotic. Sacchara'tum, (broom-corn, y. g. Au. ) panicle somewhat whorled, spreading; seeds oval ; glumes covered with permanent softish hairs; leaves linear. From the East Indies. 6 8. f. 21 . SYRINGA. (From a fabulous nymph, Syrinx, who was chang- f d into a reed, or perhaps more probably from its Turkish name, Scrinx. The wood is used by the Turks" for making pipe-stems.) Vulga'ris, (lilac, b-p. w. M. 17) leaves cordate: flowers in a thyrsc. Per"sica 3 (persian lilac, b. M. 17) leaves lanceolate, entire and pia natilid. 172. T AGETES. (From Tages, a fabulous deity of ancient times ) Exotic. Erec"ta. fafrican mangold, y. Ju. 0) leaves pinnate; leaflets lanceo- 16 Z82 T R I late, cilitate serrate; peduncles 1-flowered, incrassmtt; sub-in flaxed ; calyx arigted. 172. TANACETUM. Exotic. Vulga're, (tansey. y. Ju. 0].) leaves doubly pinnate, gash-serrate. Na- turalized. Var. crispum, (double tansey,) leaves crisped and dens?. 131. TEUCRIUM. (From Teucer, a Trojan pr?.nce.) Canaden"se, (wood sage, germander. O. r. Ju. 7J.) pubescent ; leaves lance-ovate, serrate, petioled ; stem erect; spikes whorled, crowded; bracts longer than the calyx. Var. virginicwn, upper leaves sub- sessile; bracts about the length of the calyx. 1 3. f. 131. THYMUS. (From tkumos, force.) Exotic. Vut.ga'ria t (thyme, b-p. J. 7|., Tj) erect; leaves ovate and linear, revo- lute ; flowers in a whorled spike. 61. TRADESCANTIA. (From Tradescani, a botanist.) Virgini'ca, (spider wort. b-p. M. 7|.) erect, branching ; leaves lanceo- late, elongated, glabrous* flowers sessile; umbel-compact pubescent Cultivated. 12. f. 1610. TRIFOLIUM. (From ires, 3, and folium, a leaf.) Re'pens, (white clover. O. w. M. QJ.) creeping; leafets ovate-oblong, emarginate, serrulate ; flower in umbelled heads ; teeth of the calyx sub-equal ; legumes 4-seeded. Pratcn"se, (red clover. O. r. M. Tj.) ascending, smoothish, leafet ovate, sub-entire ; stipules awned ; spikes dense-ovate ; lower tooth of the calyx shorter than the tube of the corolla, and longer than the other teeth. 23. f. 63. TRILLIUM. (From trilix, triple.) J3?ec"tum, (false wake robin. O. p. w-y. 1\) peduncles erect or erectish, with the flowers a little nodding ; petals ovate, acuminate, spreading ; equalling the calyx ; leaves rhomboid, acuminate, sessile. Var. atro- purpureum, petals large, dark purple. Var. album, petals smaller, white ; germ red. Var. flavum, petals yellow ; both petals and calyx leaves longer and narrower. 12 to 18 inches high. Leaves often to 4 inches broad. Peduncles about 3 inches long. 9 16. i. 32. TRITICUM. (From tero, to beat or thresh.) Exotic. Hyber"num, (winter wheat. J. tf) calyx glume 4-flowered, tumid, even 'imbricate, abrupt, with a short compressed point ; stipule jagged ; co- rollas of the upper florets somewhat beard'.d. There are se7f ra VH-ieties of this species which are introduced by culture. V 10 1& 8 L TROP-3SOLUM. (From Tropaon, a trophy.) Exotic. Majus, (nasturtion, Indian cress, y. & r. Ju. <v) & ^) leaves peltate sub-repand ; petals obtuse, some of them fringed. 61. TULIPA. Exotic. Gesneria'na^ v common tulip. M. Tj.) stem 1-flowered, glabrous ; flower various coloured, erect ; petals obtuse, glabrous ; leaves A ance-ovate. 193. TYPHA. Latifolia, (cat tail, reed mace. O. Ju. Tj.) leaves linear, flat, slightly convex beneath: staminate and pistillate aments close together. Wet. 46. f. 101. VACCINIUM. Resino'sum, (black whortleberry. O. p. M. t?) leaves slender, petioled, oblong oval, mostly obtuse, entire, bedewed with resinous specks be- neath; racemes lateral, 1-sided; pedicels short, somewhat bracted, corolla ovate conic, 5-cornered. Berries black. One variety has a yellowish green, and another has a reddish yellow corolla. 1 4. i. 5 -1. VERBASCUM. Thap"sus, (mullein. O. y. J. JO leaves decurrent, downy both sides; stem generally simple, though sometimes branched a-bove; flowers in cylindric-spikes. 3 6. f. ^-1. VERONICA. Officina'hs, (speedwell, b. M. 7j.) spikes lateral, peduncled; leaves op- posite, obovate, hairy, stem procumbent, rougn haired. 9 12. i. 53. VIBURNUM. tiicerifo'lium, (maple guelder rose, dockmackie. O. w. J. \i) leaves heart ovate or 3-lobed, acuminate, sharp seriate, pubescent beneath; cymes long peduncled. Stem very flexible; leaves broad and sub- membranaceous. 4 6. f. Leaves applied to inflamed tumours by the Indians. Exotic. ' Qp"ulus, (guelder rose, snow-ball, w. J. T?) leaves 3-lobed, sharp tooth- ed ; petioles glandular, smooth ; flowers in compact cymes, surround- ed with jsadiating florets. Var. roseum, has the w hole c) me made up of radiating florets. 61. VIOLA. Stemless, or with a subterranean stem. Leaves more or less reniform, always cordate, younger eucullate; proper colour of the corolla violet.) Cucvlla'ta, (O. p. b. M. 1\) glabrous ; leaves cordate, somewhat acumi* 184 Z E A nate, crenate dentate ; autumnal ones largest, very exactly remform ; peduncle somewhat 4-sided, longer than the leaves; divisions of the calyx subulate, acuminate, marginate behind, or very entire; pet? Is (as in many American species) oblique, veiny, very entire, white at the base, upper one generally naked, glabrous, lateral ones bearded, and with the upper one marked with a few blue lines. Var. papi- lionacea, petioles and peduncles longer; sub-lance ovate; beards of the lateral petals often yellow. Var. tetragona, peduncle strong, exactly 4-sided; petals azure colour, veinless. Var. villosa, leaves; petals, and peduncles villose. 4 8. i. (Leaves oblong or ovate, never reniform ; younger ones cucullate.) Sagitta'to, (E. b-p. Ap. Tj.) glabrous; leaves ciliate, oblong, not acute, sagittate cordate, dentate, gashed at the base (or furnished with elor- gated divaricate teeth;) peduncle somewhat 4-sided, longer than the leaves; divisions of the calyx lanceolate, acuminate, emarsrinate be- hind ; petals all very entire, veiny, white at the base ; upper one generally naked, glabrous; lateral ones densely bearded, and with the upper one marked with a few blue lines; spur elongated behind. A variety has the leaves more or leaves more or less villose. Drv. (Stemless.) Rotundifo'lia, (O. M. y. 7|.) glabrous; leaves thickish, appressed to the * earth, broad ovate or obicular, cordate, crenate; nerves pubescent beneath; sinus closed, peduncle somewhat 4-sided, as long as the ieaves ; divisions of the calyx oblong, obtuse ; petals somewhat einar- ginate; upper on3S small; lateral ones somewhat bearded, and with The upper one marked with a few yellowish brown lines ; spui verv short. Woods. 1 3. i. Caulescent. Pubes"cens, (O. y. 7J.) villose pubescent; stem simple, erect, terete, leafless below; leaves broad ovate, cordate, dentate; petioles short; stipules large, ovate, dentate; peduncles 4-sided, shorter than the leaves; bracts subulate, minute; divisions of the calyx lanceolate; petals all very entire, veinless; upper one naked, glabrous lateral ones bearded, and with the upper one, marked with a few blue lines ; lower ones often becoming reddish outside ; spur short, gibbcse, acu- tish ; stigma pubescent, scarcely beaked. Varies in pubescence ; leaves are even found glabrous; the capsules are also glabrous t r woolly. 4 1*2. i. rarely 4. f. Exotic. Tri' color, (garden violet, heart's ease, pansy, p. y. b-p. M. 7|.) stem an- gular, diffuse, divided; leaves oblong, deeply crenaie; stipules lyrate pinnatifid. 193. ZEA. (An ancient Greek name, perhaps from zao, to li Sout/iern. Maize* (Indian corn. y-g. Ju j leaves lance-Knear, entire, keeled. VOCABULARY, OR EXPLANATION OF BOTANICAL TERMS A. A, m composition, signifies privation, or destitute of; as, acaulis t re- ferring to a plant without a caulis or stem. Abor'tive flower. Falling off without producing any fruit. stamens, not furnished with anthers. pistil. Defective in some essential part. seed, not becoming perfect through want of the fertilizing in- fluence of the pollen. Abrupt' leaf. A pinnate leaf with an odd or terminal leafet. Acal'yces, (from a, signifying without, and calyx, a flower cup.) A class in an ancient method of arrangement, consisting of plants without a calyx. Acau'les, (from a, wanting, and caulis, a stem.) Including plants without stems. Acero'se leaf. Linear and permanent, as in the pine. Acic'ular. Needle shaped. A'cinus. A small berry which, with many others, composes the fruit of the mulberry and raspberry; the plural is acini. Acotyled'onous, (from a, without, and cotyledon, a seed lobe.) Plants destitute of seed lobes, and which consequently put forth no seminal or seed leaves, as mosses and ferns. Acu'leus, (from acus, a needle.) A prickle, or sharp point ; common to the rose and raspberry. It differs from the thorn, in being a prolon- gation of the outer bark of the plant, and unconnected with the wood. Prickles have been compared to the nails and claws of animals. Acu'minate. Abruptly sharp pointed, having the point curved towards one eds:e of the leaf, resembling an awl. icute. More gradually sharp pointed than acuminate. An obtuse angle, or any otluer mathematical angle, is acute in botanical lan- guage. Adel'phous, (from the Greek adelpkos, a brother or an equal.) Applied to plants whose stamens are united by their filaments, whether in one or two sets. Adnate. Growing together. Ad'versifo'lice, (from adversus, opposite, and folium, a leaf.) Plants whose leaves stand opposite to each other, on the same stem or branch. 1 16* A M E s, (from astas, summer.) Plants which blossom in summer Ajo'ra, (from a, -without, and fores, a door.) Having no doors or valves. Agamous, (from , without, and gamos, marriage.) Plants without any visible stamens or pistils, are by French botanists called aga- mous. A'ges of plants. Ephemeral are such as spring up, blossom, and ripen their seed in a few hours or days ; annual live a few months, or one summer. biennial, spring up one summer, and die the following. perennial, live an indefinite period. Aggregate, (from aggregare, to assemble.) Many springing Irom the same point : this term was at first applied to compound flowers, but there is at present a sevenfold division of aggregate flowers; the aggregate, properly so called. compound, umbellate, cyyiose, amentaceous, glumose, spadiceous. Aggregate flower is erected on peduncles or footstalk, which all have one common receptacle on the stem ; they sometimes have one com- mon calyx, and are sometimes separataly furnished with a calyx. Ai'grette. See egret. A'la. A Latin word signifying a wing. It is sometimes used to ex- press the angle formed by the stem with the branch or leaf. Linnaeus and some others use the term ala, as the name of a membrane ai- fixed to some species of seeds which serves as a wing to raise them into the air, and thus promotes their dispersion. A'la. The two lateral or side petals of a papilionaceous flower. Albu'men. The farinaceous, fleshy, or horny substance, which consti- tutes the chief bulk of monocotyledonous seeds; as wheat, rye, &c. Alburnum, (from albus, white.J The soft white substance, which in trees is found between the Hoer, or inner bark, and the wood, and be- coming solid, in progress of time is converted into wood. From its ' colour and comparative softness, it has been styled the fat of trees. It is called the 5*777 wood, and is formed by a deposite of the cambium or descending sap ; in one year it becomes wood; and a new Jav^i of alburnum is again formed by the descent of the cambium. \f Al'ga. Flags ; these by Linnaeus comprise the plants of the ordei Hcpaticfz and Lic/ienes. Al'pine. Growing naturally on high mountains. Alter' note. Branches, leaves, flower, &c. are alternate, when begin- ning at different distances on the stem ; opposite, is when they com mence at the same distances, and base stands against base. Alternately pinnate leaf; when the leafets are arranged alternately on each side of the common footstalk or petiole. Alvf/olate. Having cells which resemble a honey-comb^,*. Am'bUus. The outer rim of a frond, receptacle, *&c. f Afment. Flowers collected on chaffv scales, and arranged on a. thread AQJJ^ 187 or slender stalk ; these scales mixed with the flowers, resemole the chaff in an ear of corn; in the willow and poplar, an amerit^ sup- port boih staminate and pistillate flowers on distinct roots. Flow- ers supported by an ament are generally destitute of a corolla. Amplexicau'lis. Clasping the base of the stems. Anal'ysis. To analyze a plant bute/n'icaUy , is to ascertain its name, by observing its organs, and comparing them with scientific descrir>- tions of plants. Ancip'ifal. Having two sharp edges like a sword. An'dria. Signifies stamens. Androg'ynous plants. Such as bear staminate and pistillate flowers on the same root ; as the oak and indian corn ; such plants belong to the class Monoecia. Angiocar'pus. Fungi, bearing seeds internally. Angiosper'mal, (from angion, a vessel, and sperma, seed.) Plants whose seeds are inclosed or covered. Angular. Forming angles; when the stems, calyxes, capsules, &e. have ridges running lengthwise. Angustifo'lius. Narrow-leaved. An'nwil. A plant which lives but one year. The herbage is often annual, while the root is perennial; in this case the plant is said to be perennial. Annula'ted. Having a ring round the capsules, as in ferns; or in mushrooms having a ringed stripe. Annu'lus. A ring. Anom'alous, (from a, without, and nomos, law.) Irregular, or what- ever forms an exception to a general rule. Anther, (from anlhos, a flower, so called, as indicating its importance.) That part of the stamen which contains the pollen ; it is of various forms, as linear, awl -shaped, heart-shaped, round, &c. ; it is 1-celied, 2-celled, &c. ; the anther of the crown imperial has 4 cells. Antkerid'ium. A mass of pollen. Antherif'crous. Flowers bearing anthers without filaments. Anthus, (from the Greek anl/ios.) A flower generally referring to the petals only. Apct'alous } (from a, without, and petalum, a petal.") Having no petals, such flowers are termed incomplete; such as are destitute of either stamens or pistils are called imperfect, i^ Apet'alce. A class formed by some of theancient botanists, including plants destitute of corollas. A'pex. The top or summit. Aphyl'lous, (from a, without, and phyllon, a leaf.) Destitute of leaves Aphyl'la is the name given by an ancient botanist to a class of planis without leaves, comprising garlic, rush, mushrooms, &c. Appen'daged. Having bracts, thorns, prickles, &c. Appres'sed. Closely pressed ; as leaves against the stem, &c. Avprox'imate. Growing near each other. A/>' lewis. Without wings. At/wt'ic, (ircni tupM, water.) Growing in, or near water. Atjtiif.icfe, was an ancient name lor a class including all. plants which grow in water. 185 BAR A.r'bor. A tree ; a perennial plant, which rises to a considerable height, having a woody stem. Most trees spring from seeds having two r<w tyledons ; they are therefore called dicotyledonous plants. The stem* of such plants are said to be exogenous, that is, growing externally, new layers of wood being every year formed under the bark around the outside of the old wcod. Palm trees are monocotyledonom plants; their stems are called endogenous, that is, growing internal- ly, and pressing upon the outer coats, which become hard and com- pact. The ancient botanists divided plants into trees and herbs ; but this distinction is too vague to form the basis of classification. tfbusti'vus. (from arbustum, a shrub.) An ancient Mass of plants con- taining shrubs, as the myrtle, mock-orange, &c. Arcuate, (from arcus, a bow.) Bent like a bow. Arcnarius. Growing in sand. Argcnt'eus. Silver coloured. Ar'id. Dry. A'ril, (arillus.) The external coat or covering of seeds which, dry- ing, falls off spontaneously. Aris tale, (from areo } to be dried.) Awned, ending in a bristle. Aro'idcs. So called from arum, and forming a natural iamily of plants. Arms, (arma.) Offensive weapons. Plants are said to be armed, when they are furnished with prickles, thorns, &c. Aromat'ic. Sweet scented. Ar 'row-form. Shaped like an arrow head, the hind lobes acute. Articulated. Jointed, as in the culm or stem of the grasses Arundina'ceous, (from arundo, a reed.) Resembling reeds. Arvensis. Growing in cultivated fields. Ascending. Rising from the ground obliquely. Aspcrifo'lius. Rough leaved. Attcn'uated. Gradually diminished or tapering. Auric'ulate. Having appendages resembling ears. Awl-form. Sharp at the point, and curved to one side. Awn. A short stiff bristle. Ax'il. The angle between a leaf and stem on the upper side. Ax'illary. Growing out of the axils : leaves are said to be axillar> when they proceed from the angle formed by the stem and blanch B. Bac'ca. A berry. It is a pulpy pericarp, enclosing seeds without capsules. In the raspberry of a seed. Baccifcrous. Bearing berries. Ban'ncr. The upper petal in a papilionaceous flower. Barb. A straight process armed with teeth pointing backwards. ii-irba'tus. Bearded. bark. The covering of vegetables, consisting of several parts, as cn- tjcle. cellular integument, &c. The bark consists of as many layers a* the tree on which it grows has years: a new layer being formed from the cambium every year, the newest layer of bark is called liber. Bar'ren. Producing no fruit ; containing stamens only. CAM 1S9 Reak'ed. Terminating by a process shaped like the beak of a biul. Her ry. A pulpy pericarp enclosing seeds without capsules. Sec Bacca. Bi, derived from bis, signifying two. Bicor'nes. Anthers with two thorns. Bi'dens. Having two teeth. Bicn'nml. Living two years, in the second of which the flower and fruit are produced; as in wheat. Bi'fid. Two parted. Bila'biale. Corolla with two lips. Bipin'nate. Twice pinnate. Biter''nate. Twice ternate. The petiole supporting three ternace leaves. Bi' valve. Two valved. Border. The brim or spreading part of a corolla. Bot'rus. A cluster, lik-e grapes. Brack' iate. Branches opposite, and. each pair at right angles with the preceding. Bract. Floral; a leaf near the flower which is different from the other leaves of the plant. In the crown imperial the bracts are al the termination of the flower stem; from their resemblance to hair $ they are called coma. Branch. A division of the main stem or main root. Branch'let. Subdivision of a branch, a twig. Brevis. Short. Bud. The residence of the infant leaf and flower. Bulbs. A kind of roots; sometimes found growing on the stem strictly speaking, bulbs are buds, or the winter residence of the fu- ture plants. A bulb contains in miniature or embryo, a plant simi- lar to the parent plant. Plants may be renewed from bulbs as well as seeds. Annual plants do not have bulbs ; they are only pre- served by seeds. Bundle. See Fascicle. ' / C - Caducous, (from cado, to fall.) Falling early; as the caly^ of the poppy. Caspttosc. Forming tufts, seveial roots growing together. Calamus. Reed like. Calcareous. Containing lime; as in the shells of oystery, &c. Calculated. Having an additional calyx. Caliiptra. The cap* or hood of pistillate mosses, resembling an ex- tinguisher set on a candle. Although called a calyx, it is in reality the corolla of the moss closed. Calyx. From the Greek, signifying a flower cup : in most plants.it incloses, and supports the ^bottom of the corolla. It is defined by Linnaeus to be the termination of the outer bark. Cam'bium. The descending sap, which every year forms a new layer of bark and one of wood. It descends between the bark and the \vood. so that the new wood is formed externally, and the new bark internally. 190. C L I Campan'ulate. Bell-form. Campesftris. Growing in uncultivated fields. Canes' cent. White or hoary. \Caj/ill<iry. Hair-form./ \^ap'itate. Growing mneads. Cap'sule. A .little chest; that kind of ho'low seed-vessel which be- comes dry and opens when ripe j a capsule that never opens k* called a samara. Cari'na. The keel or lower folded petal of a papilionaceous flower. Car'inated. Keeled, having a sharp back like the keel of a vessel. Carno'se. Of a fleshy consistence. Carpos. From the Greek Karpos, fruit. Caryophyl'leous. Pink-like corolla, having five petals with long claws, all regular and set in a tubular calyx. Cat'kin. See Ament. COM' date. Having a tail ; as in some seeds. Cau'dex. The main body of a tree, or root. Caulcs'cent. Having a stem exclusive of the peduncle or scapes. Cau'line Growing on the main stem. Ca-u'lis. The main herbage-bearing stem of all plants, called in French, la tige Ceil. The hollow part of a pericarp or anther ; each cavity in a peri- carp that contains one or more seeds, is called a cell. According to the number of these ceils the pericarp is one-celled, two-celled, three- celled, &c. Cellular. Made up of little cells or cavities. Cerealis. Any grain from which bread is made. (From Ceres, god- dess of com.) Ccr'nuus. When the top only droops. \l Chaffy. Made up of short membranous portions like chaff. Channelled. Hollowed out longitudinally, with a rounded groove. Cho'non. A clear limpid liquor contained in a seed at the time of flowering. After the pollen is received, this liquor becomes a per- fect embryo of a new plant. Cic'atrice. The mark or natural scar from whence the leaf has fallen. Cil'iate. Fringed with parallel hairs. Cine'reous. Ash-coloured. Cin'gens. Surrounding, girding around. Cir'rose. Bearing a tendril. From Cir'rus, a tendril or climbei. Clasp' ing. Surrounding the stem with the base of the leaf. Class. The highest divisions in the system of Botany. Linnaeus di- vided all plants into 24 classes; 3 of these are now rejected, and the plants which they included placed in the remaining 21 classes. The ancient botanists knew neither methods, systems, nor classes ; they described under chapters, or sections, those plants which appeared to them connected to each other by the greatest number of relations. da' vale. Club-shaped, larger at the top than at the bottom. Clau'svA. Closed, shut up. Claw. The narrow part by which a petal is inserted. Cleft. Split or divided less than half way. . Ascending by means of tendrils, as grapes ; by leaf stalks, CON 191 AS the Clematis ; by cauiine radicals or little fibrous roots, as tnc creeping American ivy. &ub-shaved. See clavate. Clustered. See racemed. Cly'veate. Form of a buckler. See Peltate. Coad'nate. United at the base. Coc'cincous. Scarlet coloured. Coch'leate. Coiled spirally, like a snail shell. Cor/cum. A grain or seed ; thcoccous, 5-seeded, &c. Caru'leus. Blue. Colli'nus. Growing on hills. Coloured. Different from green; in the language of botany, green is not called a colour. White, which in reality is not a colour, is so called in botany. The primitive colours and their intermediate shades and gradations, are by botanists arranged as follows: Water-colour, hyalinus. White, dlbus. Lead-colour, cinereus. Black, niger. Brown, fuscus. Pitch-black, ater. Yellow, luteus. Sr raw-colour, flavus. Flame-colour, fulvus. Red, rubex. Flesh -colour, incarnaius. Scarlet, coccineus. P a rple, purpureus. Violet-colour, aeruleo-purpureus. Blue, cccruleus. Green, viridis. White is most common in roots, sweet berries, and the petals ol spring flowers. Black, in roots and seeds. Yellow, in anthers, and the petals of compound flowers. Red, in the petals of summer flowers and acid fruity. Blue and violet, in the petals. Green, in the leaves and calyx. - \ j Columel'la. Tfiat which connects the seed to the inside of the pen- carp. The central pillar in a capsule. Column. The style of gynandrous plants; used for columella. Co' ma. A tuft of bracts on the top of a spike of flowers. Compound flowers. Such as are in the class Syngenesia, having flo- rets with united anthers. leaf. When several leafets grow on one oetiole. raceme. When several racemes grow along the side of a peduncle. umbel. Having the peduncles subdivided into peduncles oi' lesser umbels. petiole. A divided leaf stalk. peduncle. A divided nu* ^ stalk. ifanpres'sed. Flattened. Conchol'ogy. The science which treats of shells. 192 CRY Cone. A scaly fruit like that of the pine. See Strobilum. Conglom'arate. Crowded together. Con' ic. With a broad base, gradually narrowing to the top like a su- gar loaf. Coniferous. Bearing cones. Conjugate. In pairs. Con'nate. Opposite, with the bases united or growing into one, foim- ing the appearance of one leaf. Anthers are sometimes connate. Connirent. Converging, the ends inclining towards each other. ContAn'uous. Uninterrupted. Contorted. Twisted. Contracted. Close, narrow. Converging. Approaching or bending towards each other. Con'vex. Swelling out .in a roundish form. , Con'volute. Rolled into a cylindric form, as leaves in the bud. \Cor'culum, or Corcle. The embryo or miniature of the future plant, V which is found in seeds often between the cotyledons. kor'date. Heart-shaped, side lobes rounded. TStfH&'cetrtu. Resembling leather ; thick and parchment-like Cor'nu. A horn or spur. Cornic'ulate. Horn shaped. Cvrot'la, or coral, (a word derived from corona, a crown.) U^nahy encloses the stamens. Corona'liA Crowned ; as the thistle seed is crowned with down. Cor'tex, (from corium, leather, or hide, and tego, to cover.) The rind or coarse outer bark of plants; the organization of the outer a r d in- ner barks differs chiefly in the fineness o; their f exture. Cor'tical. Belonging to the barV Coryda'lis. Helmet like. Corymb. Inflorescence, n. v hi ,h i/.ie fiower stalks spring from differ- ent heights on the common stem, forming a flat top. Costate. Ribbed y Cotijl'edons, (from kdtule, a cavity.) Seed lobes. The fleshy part of seeds which in most plants rises out of the ground and forms the first leaves, called seminal or seed leaves. These lobes in the greatest proportion of plants, are two in number; they are very conspicuous in the leguminous seeds; as beans, peas, &c. The cotyledons are externally convex, internally flat, and enclose the embryo or princi- ple of life, which it is their office to nourish. Creeping. Running horizontally; steins are sometimes creeping, as also roots. Cre'nate. Scolloped, notohrs on the margin of a leaf which do not point towards either the apex or bare. Crc'mdaie. Finely crenate. Ores' cent-form. Resembling a half 5 oon. Crest'ed. Having an appearance >ike a cock's comb. Crini'tus. Long haired. Cru'ciform, (from crux, crucis, a cross.) Four petals placed like a cross. Cmsta'ceous. Small crusty substances lyin^ one upon another Stamens and pistils concealed. D E S 193 Cu'bit. A measure from the elbow to the end of the mid die finger. ICucul'l-ate. Hoodec or cowled, rolled or folded in, as in tne spstha of V^e Arum or wild turnip. Cucurbita'ceous. Resembling gourds or melons. Cu' Unary. Suitable for preparations of food. Culm or straw, (from the Greek kalama, stubbie or straw; in Latin r.ulmus.) The stem of grasses, Indian corn, sugar cane, &c. Culmif'erous. Having culms; as wheat, grasses, &c. Cuneiform. Wedge-form, with the stalk attached to the point. Curv'ed. Bent inwards. See Incurved. Cus'pidate. Having a sharp straight point. (The eye tooth is cusp > date.) Cu'tide. The outside skin of a plant, commonly thin, resembling the scarf or outer skin of animals. It is considered as forming a part of the bark. Cya'neiis. Blue. Cy'atMform. Shaped like a common wine glass. Cylindrical. A Circular shaft of nearly equal dimensions throughout t is exteric. Oi/me. Flower stalks arising from a common centre, afterwards va- riously sub-divided. \/ De'bilis. Weak, feeble. Decan'drous. Plants with ten stamens in each flower. Decaphyl'lus. Ten leaved. Decid'uous. Falling off in the usual season ; opposed to persistent an/I evergreen, more durable than caducous. Decli'ned. Curved downwards. Decomposition. Separation of the chemica elements of bodies. Decom'pound. Twice compound, composed of compound pans. Decum'bent. Leaning upo^ the ground, the base being erect. This term is applied to stems, stamens, &c. Decur'rent. When the edges of a leaf run down the stem or stalk Decus' sated. In pairs, crossing each other. Deflected. Bent off. Defoliation. Shedding leaves in the proper season. Dekis'cent. Gaping, or opening. Most capsules when ripe are dehis- cent. Del'toid. Nearly triangular, or diamond form, as in the-leaves of the Lombardy poplar. Demer'sus. Under water. nense. Close, compact. Dtn'tate. Toothed ; edged with sharp projections ; larger *han serrate. Dentic'-u-late. Minutely toothed. Dtnu'datc. Plants whose flowers appear befcre the leaves; appealing naked. Deor'sum. Downwards. Depres'scd. Flattened, or pressed at the top. Descriptions. In giving a complete description of a riant, the orcJrr of nature is to begin with the root, proceed to the stem, branches, lea ves, appendages, and lastly to the organs which compose the flower, and the manner of inflorescence. Colour and sixe are ri- 17 194 E F F least to be regarded m .Itscriptions , out stipules, bracts, ami glan dular hairs, are all of importance. Dextrar'sum. Twining from left to right, as the hop vine. Diadel'phous, (from dis, two, and adelpkia, brotherhood,) two brother- hoods. Stamens united in two parcels or sets; flowers mostly pa- pilionaceous; fruit leguminous. Di'amond form. See Deltoid. Dianthe'ria, (from dis, two, and anther;) a class of plants including aU such as have two anthers. Dichot'omous. Forked, dividing into two equal branches. Didin'ia. Stamens in one flower, and pistils in another ; whether on the same plant or on different plants. IHan/cous. Containg two grains of seed. Dicotyledonous. With two cotyledons or seed lobes. Did'ymous. Twinned, or double. Didyna'mia, (from dis, twice, and dunamis, power;) two powers. A name of one of the Linnaean classes. Difirac'ted. Twice bent. Digi'tate. Like fingers. When one petiole sends oft several leaf*?** from a single point at its extremity. Digyn'ia. Having two pistils. Dimid'iatc. Halved. Di&'cious. Having staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants. Dis'coid. Resembling a disk without rays. Disk. The whole surface of a leaf, or of the top of a compound flower as opposed to its rays. Dis'perwus. Containing two seeds. Dissepiment. The partition of a capsule. Dissil'iens. . A pericarp, bursting with elasticity, as the Impatiens. Di'stichus. Growing in two opposite ranks or rows. Divaricate. Diverging so q.s to turn b^Vwards. Diverging. Spreading, separating widely. Diur'nus. Enduring but a day. Dor'sal. Belonging to the back. Dotted. See Punctate and Perforated. Droop'ing. Inclining downward, more than nodding Drupe. A fleshy pericarp enclosing a stone or nut Drupaceous. Resembling, or bearing drupes. Dul'cis. Sweet. Dumo'sus. Bushy. Du'plex. Double. E. Eared. Applied to the lobes of a heart-form leaf, to the side lobes neat the base of some leaves, and to twisted parts in the plants which are supposed to resemble the passage into the ear. Ebur'neus. Ivory white. Echi'nate. Beset with prickle&, as a hedge-hog. Ecos'tate. Without nerves or ribs. Ejfflorescen'tia, (from ejfloresco, to bloom. J A term expressive of The precise time of the year, and the montn in which every plant olo- F A L 19!) soms. The term cjffloresccnce is applied to the powdering substance found ou Lichens. Efolia'tion. premature falling off of leaves, by means of diseases or some accidental causes'. Effuse. Having an opening by which seeds or liquids may be poured out. E'gret, or Ai'grctte. The feathery or hairy crown of seeds, as the down of thistles and dandelions. It includes whatever remains on the top of the seed after the corolla is removed. stiped. When it is supported on a foot stem. simple. When it consists of a bundle of simple hairs. plumose. When each hair has other little hairs arranged along its sides. Ellip'tic. Oval. Slon'gattd. Exceeding a common length. Emar'ginate. Having a notch at the end, retuseX***^ Ern'bryo, (from embruo, to bud forth,) the germ of a plant; called by Linnaeus the corculum. Endogenous. Applied to stems which grow from the centre outward- ly, as in monoopty Igd ons. Eno'dis. Without joints or knots. En'siform. Sword form, two edged, as in the flag and iris. Entire. Even and whole at the edge. Entomology. The science of insects. Epi. A Greek word signifying upon ; often used in composition. Epi'carp, (from epi, upon, and karpos, fruit,) the outer skin of the pe- ricarp. Epider'mis, (from epi, upon, and derma, skin.) See Cuticle. Epig'ynous, (from epi, upon, and gynia, pistil.) Ep'isperm, (from epi, upon, and sperma. seed.) Equinoctial flowers. Opening at stated hours each day. E'quitant. Opposite leaves alternately enclosing the edges of each other. Erect'. Straight ; less unbending than strictus*.*-**" -Iro'ded. Appearing as if gnawed at the edge. Es'culent. Eatable. Ev'ergreen. Remaining green through the year, not deciduous. Excava'tus. Hollowed out. Exot'ic. Plants that are brought from foreign countries. Expan'ded. Spread. Expectorant, (from expectoro, to discharge from the breast,) medicine* which promote a discharge from the lungs. Exser'ted. Projecting out of the flower or sheath. Eye. See Hilum. F. Not natural, produced by art, (from facio, to make.) Fam'ilies. A term in Botany implying a natural union of several genera into groups; sometimes us^d as synonymous with Natura) Orders Fal G*te. Sickle shaped. Linear and crooked. 96 F R U Fari'r,A, (from far, corn.) Meal or flour. A tenn given to the glu- tinous part of wheat ana other seeds, which is obtained by grinding an- 1 sifting It consis s of gluten, starch, and mucilage The pollen is also called farina. Pas'cide. A bundle. Fasciculate. Collected in bundles. Fastig'iate. Flat topped. f'avo'sus. Resembling a honey comb. Faux. Jaws. The throat of the corolla. Ferns. Cryptognmous plants, with the fruit on the backs of the *eav * or in spikes made up of minute capsules opening transversely. Fcr'tile. Pistillate, yielding fruit. FU'ament. The slender, thread-like part of the stamen. Fil'ices, (fromjilum, a thread,) Ferns. Fil'iform. Very slender. Fim'briaU. Divided at the edge like fringe. Fis'tulous. Hollow or tubular, as the leaf of the onion. Flac'cid. Too limber to support its own weight. Flagel'liform. Like a whip lash. Flam'mfus. Flame coloured. Fla'vus. Yellow. Flex'uous.' Serpentine, or bending in a zig-zag form. Flo'ra. Considered by the heathens as the goddess of flowers. BOOKS describing flowers are often called Floras. Fin' ml leaf. See Bract. Flo' ret. Little flower, part of a compound flower. Flos' cular. A tubular floret. Flow'er. (Flos.) A term which was formerly applied almost exclu- sively to the petals. At present a stamen and pistil only are con- sidered as forming a perfect flower. Flow'er stalk. See Peduncle. Folia' ceous. Leafy. Follicles. Leafets; a diminutive of folium, a leaf. The smaller leaves which constitute a compound leaf. Fo'lium leaf. Leaves are fibrous &nd cellular processes of plants ; they are of different figures, but generally extended into a membranous* or skinny substance. Fol'lidc. 'A seed vessel which opens lengthwise, or on one side only. Foot'-stalk. Sometimes used instead of Peduncle and Petiole. Frag'ilis. Breaking easily, and not bending Frond. The leaf of Cryptogamous plants ; foi f .rly applied to palms, o Frondes' cence, (from/fwtt, a leaf.) The time in which each species of plants unfolds its leaves. See Frondose. Frondo'se. (Frondosus.) Leafy, or leaf-like. Fruchfica'tion. The flower and fruit wi&. ilieir parts. Fructiferous. Bearing or becoming ff.it Frvc'tus. The fruit. This is an annual JM, of the plant which ad- heres to the flower and succeeds it; after attaining maturity it detaches itself from the parent plant, and on being placed in the bosom of the earth, gives birth toaneu vegetable. In common language, the fruit UK ludes both the pericarp and the seed, hut strictly speaking, the G R /V 197 latter only, is the fruit, while the former is >ut the c.ise or vessel \vhich contains it. ^^ Brutes wit. Becoming shrubby. Fnt'tex. A shrub. Put' era. Props, supports; as the petiole, pedurele, &c. fWvmis Yellowish. Furigi. The plural of Fungus, a mushroom. Fun'gous. Growing rapidly, with a soft texture like the Fungi. Mm'*Z-/bnfi. Tubular at the bottom and gradually expanded at the top. Fu'siform. Spindle shaped, a root thick at the top and tapering down- wards. pon the stem and \ defend it from inju- the future plant in le, though if the bud I G. Ga'lea. A helmet. Gem'ma. A bud containing a plant seated upon the stem and branches, and covered with scales, in order to de^ ry. The bud resembles the seed in containing tl embryo; but this embryo is destitute of a radicle, is planted in the earth, a radicle is developed. Gemma'ceous. Belonging to a bud. Made of the scales of a bud. Gencr'ic name. The name of a genus. Genic'ulate. Bent like a knee. Ge'nus, (the plural of genus is genera,) a family of plants similar in their flower and fruit. Plants of the same genus usually possess similar medicinal powers. Germ. The lower part of the pistil which afterwards becomes the fruit. Germina'tion. The swelling of a seed, and the unfolding o f Us em- bryo. Gibbous. Swelled out commonly on one side. Glabel'lous. Bald, without covering. Gla'bro-us. Sleek, without hairiness. Gland. A ^mall appendage, which seems to perform some office of secretion or exhalation. Gland'ular. Having hairs tipped with little heads or glands Glaucous. Sea green, mealy, and easily rubbed off. Glome. A roundish head of flowers. Glom'erate. Many branchlets terminated by little heads. Glume. The scales or chafTof grasses, composing the calyx ana co- rolla, the lower ones are called the calyx, all others the corolla; . oach scale, chaff, or husk, is called a valve ; if there is but one, the flower is called univalve, if two, bivalve. Glu'tinous. Viscid, adhesive. Gun, (from gonu, a knee or angie;) as pentagon, five angled; hexa- gon, six angled ; polygon, many angled. Graff-ing. Is the process of uniting the branches or buds of two or more separate trees. The bud or branch <-f one tree, is inserted into the bark of another, and the tree which is thus engrafted upon i Called the stock. 17* t98 H U S Gram'ina. Grasses and grass-like plants. Mostly found in the class Triand. ia. Gramin'eous. Grass like ; such plains are also called culmilerous. Grandi'florus. Having large flowers. Granular. Formed of grains, or covered with grains. Gravc'olens. Having a strong odour. Grcgariov*. Tn flocks, plants growing together in groups. Groov'ed. Marked with deep lines. Gymiwsper'mia, (from gumnos, naked, and sperma, seed.) Having 1 na- ked seeds. Gynaridrous. Stamens growing upon the pistil. Gi/n'ia. From the Greek, signifying pistil. H. Habita'tio, or Habitat. The native situation of plants. Habit. The external appearance of a plant, by which it is known at first sight, without regard to botanical distinctions. Hair'-like. See Capillary. Halbert-form. See Hastate. Hand'-form. See Palmate. Hang'ing. See Pendant Has'tate. Shaped like a halbejtf it differs from arrow-shaped in na- vmg the side processes more distinct and divergent. Head. A dense collection of flowers, nearly sessile. Heart. See Qorculum and Corcle. Heart'-form. J See Cordate. Hcl'mct. The concave upper lip of a labiate flower*** Hclminthol'ogy. The science of worms. Hepat'ic. Liver like. Herb. A plant which has not a woody stem. Herbaceous. Not woody. Her'bage. Every part of a plant except the root and fructification. Herba'rium. A collection of dried plants. Hexag'onal. Six cornered. Hi'ans. Gaping. Hi'lum. The scar or mark on a seed at the place of attachment ot the seed to the seed vessel. Hir'sute. Rough with hairs. His'pid. Bristly, more than hirsute. Ho'ary. Whitish coloured, having a scaly mealiness, not unlike glaucous. Holera'ceous. Suitable for culinary purposes. The term is derived from Jwlus, signifying pot herbs. One of the natural orders of Lin* nseus, called Holeraoa^ includes such plants as are used for the ta- ble, or in the economy of domestic affairs. Hon'tycup. See nectary. Hnod'ed. See Cucullate, or cowled. Ifora'rius Continuing but an hour. Horizon' lal. Parallel to the horizon. Horn. See Spur. Hu'mttis. Low, hmnblf. Husk. The larger kind of glum<% as rhr husks of Indian corn. I N V 199 \J[fi i btrna f lis. Growing in winter. tfy'brid. A vegetable produced by the mixture of two species j the seeds of hybrids are not fertile. Hy'po. From upo, under ; much used in the composition of scientific terms. Hypocrater'iform. Salver shaped, with a tube abruptly expanded into a flat border. Hypog'ynous. Under the stvl fcthyol'ogy. The science of fishes. ktfan'drtus. Having about twenty stamens growing on the calyx Such plants furnish a great proportion of the most delicious pulpv fruits. Im'bricate. Lying over, like scales, or the shingles of a roof. Imper'fect. Wanting the stamen or pistil. Incarna'tus. Flesh coloured. ^ Inci'sor. Fore tooth. Included. Wholly received, or contained in a cavity ; the opposite oi exsert. Incomplete. Flowers destitute of a calyx or corolla are said to be in- complete. A term differing from imperfect. Incras'sate. Thickened upward, larger towards the end. In'crement,. The quantity of increase. Incum'bent. Leaning upon or against. Incur'ved. Bent inwards. Indig'enous. Native, growing wild in a country, (some exotics after a time, spread and appear as if indigenous.) In'duratcd. Becoming hard. Infe'rior. Below ; a calyx or corolla is inferior wnen it comes out below a germ. Infla'ted. Appearing as if blown out with wind, hollow. Inflexfed. The same as incurved. Inflores'cence, (from infloresco, to flourish.) The manner in which flowers are connected to the plant by the peduncle, as in the whorl, raceme, &c. Infrac'tus. Bent in with such an acute angle as to appear bioken. liifundibulifor'mis. Funnel form. liiser'ted. Growing out of, or fixed upon l.nsi'dens. Sitting upon. Insigni'tus. Marked. Integer. Entire. litierno'de. The space between joints . a m grasses. Interruptedly-pin'nate. When smaller leafets are interposed among the principal ones. Intor'tus. Twisted inwards. I/Urodtt'cfd. Not originally native. Brought from some other c^untrr. Involu'crum. A kind of general calyx, serving for many flowers, ge- nerally situated at the base of an umbel or head. [nrolu'cel. A partial involucrum. Rolled inwards. <*00 LIB Iridescent. Reflecting light, (1'roin Iris the rainbow.) Irreg'ular. Differing iii figure, size, or proportion of parts among themselves. o Irritability. The power of being excited so as to produce contrac- tion ; this power belongs to vegetables as well as animals ; sensation is thought to imply the existence of internal properties not possessed by plants; though some have attributed sensation to plants, as well as animals. J. Jag'ged. Irregularly divided and sub-divided. Jaws. See Faux. Joints. Knots, or rings in culms, pods, leaves, &c. Ju'gum. A yoke ; growing in pairs. Juxtaposition^ (ftomjuzla, near, andpono, to place,) nearness bi place. K. Keel. The under lip of a, papilionaceous flower. Ketl'ed. Shaped like the keel of a boat or ship. Ker'nel. See Nucleus. Kid'ney-skapcd. Heart-shaped without the point and broader than long. Knee. A joint being geniculate. Knob'bed. In thick lumps, as the potato. Knot. See joints. * La'biate. Having lips as in the c^ass Didynamia, Lacin'iate. Jagged, irregularly torn, lacerated. ' Lades' cent. Yielding a juice, usually white, like millr sometimes red, as in the blood-root. Lac'teus. Milk white. Lacus'tris. Growing about lakes. L&vis. Smooth, even. Lamel'lated. In thin plates. Lam'ina. The'broad or flat end of a petal, in distinction from its ciaT- La'nate. Woolly. Lance'-olate. Spear-shaped, narrow, with both ends acute. LoMce'o-vate. A compound of lanceolate and ovate, intermediate. Lat'eral. On one side, (from latus.) La' tent. Hidden, concealed, (from lateo, to hide.) Lar'xa. The caterpillar state of an insect. Lax. Limber, flaccid. Leif'et. A partial leaf, part of a compound leaf. Leaf-stalk. See petiole. Leg'ume. A pod or pericarp having its seeds attached to one side 01 suture; as the pea and bean. Legu'minous. Bearing legumes. Lepan'thiums. A term used for a petal-like nectary; like that of the larkspur and monkshood. Li'ber. The inner bark of plants. Immediately under the cuticle is a succulent, cellular substance, for the most part ot a green colour, es- pecially in the leaves and branches. Under this cellular integument, MOL 201 is the baric consisting of but one layer in plants or branches only one year old. In older branches and trunks of trees, it consists of as many layers as they are years old ; the innermost and newest being called the liber : it 'is in this layer only that the essential vital func- tions are carried on for the time being, after which it is pushed out- wards with the cellular integument, and like that, becomes a life- less crust. Lig'neous. Woody. Lig'num. Wood. Lig'ulate. Strap or ribbon like, flat, as the florets of the dandelion, Lilia'ceous. A corolla with six petals gradually spreading iiom vbe base. Limb. The border or spreading part of a monopetalous corolla. Lin' ear. Long and narrow with parallel sides as the leaves of grasses. Lip. The under petal in a labiate corolla. Litlora'lis. Growing on coasts, or shores. Liv'idus. Dark purple. Lobe. A large division, or distinct portion of a leaf or petal. Loc'ulus. A little cell, from locus a place. Lo'ment. A pod resembling a legume, but divided by transverse par titions. Longifoli'us. Long leaved. Longis'simus. Very long. Lu'cidus. Bright and shining. Lu'rid. Of a pale dull colour. Lu'teus. Yellow. Ly'rate. Pinnatifid, with a large roundish leafet at the end. M. Macula' tus. Spotted. Marces'cent. Withering. Margin. The edge, or border. Mar a' time. Growing near the sea. Medul'la. The pith or pulp of vegetables. The centre or heart of the vegetable. Various opinions have been entertained respecting the importance of the pith ; Linnaeus considered that it was the seat of life and source of vegetation : that its vigour was the principal cause of the shooting forth of branches, and that the seeds were formed from it. It is now generally thought that the pith does not perform so important a part in the economy of vegetation as was supposed by Linnaeus. MeliiJ'erous. Producing, or containing honey. Membranous. Very thin and delicate. Mid'rib. The main or middle rib of a leaf running from the stem to the apex. Minia'tus. Scarlet, vermilion colour. Mola'res. Back teeth, grinders. Mol'lis. Soft. Rfollus'couf. Such animals as have a soft body without bones ; as thr oyster. \ *te N U C Monodd'phous. Having the stamens united in a tube at the b3c. Momli'form. Granulate, strung together lik< beads. Monocotyledons. Having but one cotyledon. Monce'cious. Having pistillate and staminate flowers on the sam.e plant. Monopet'alous. The corolla composed of one petal. Monophyl'lous. Consisting of one leaf. Monoscp'alous. A calyx of one piece or sepal. Monosper'mus. One seed to a flower. Monta'nus. Growing on mountains. Moon-form. See Crescent-form. Mosses. The second order of t>\e class Cryptogamia. Mu'cronate. Having a small point or prickle at the end oi an obtuse leaf. Multifto'rus. Many flowered. Multiplex. Many flowered, petals lying over each othei in two rows Mul'tus. Many. Mu'ricate. Covered with prickles. N. Naked. Destitute of parts usually found. Na'nus. Dwai fish, very small. Nap. Downy, or like fur, tomentose. Napifor'mis. Resembling a turnip. Narcvt'ic, (from the Greek word narce, torpor.) A substance which has the power of procuring sleep Opium is highly narcotic. Na'tant. Floating. Natural Character. That which is apparent, having no reference to any particular method of classification. ^Natural History. The science which treats of nature. iNec'tari/, (from nectar, the fabled drink of the gods.) The part oi a ^flower which produces honey: this term is applied to any appendage ^*\)f the flower which has no other name. Ndmoro'sus. Growing in groves, often given as a specific name, as Anemone nemorosa ; the ending in a denotes the adjective as being in the feminine gender : the adjective in Latin varying its termina- tion to conform to the gender of the substantive. Nerves. Parallel veins. Nerved. Marked with nerves, so called, though not organs of sensi-\ bility like the nerves in the animal system. Nic' 'titans. From a word which signifies lo twinkle, or wink; appli- ed as a specific name to some plants which appear sensitive ; as the Cassia nictitans. Ni'ger. Black. Nit'idus. Glassy, glittering. iv'eus. Snow white. od'ding. Partly drooping. Node, Nodus. Knot. No'men. A name. Notched. See Crenate. Nu'deus. Nut. or kernel. PAP 203 .Vu'dus. See Naked. .Vw, Nux. See Nucleus. Xu'fawk. See Nodding, Pendulous. O. Ob, A word which, prefixed to other terms ; denotes the inversion of the usual position; as obcoriate, inversely cordate. Oicon'ic. Conic with the point downwards. ilkcor'datc. Heart-shaped with the point downwards. < Glance' olate. Lanceolate with the base the narrowest. OUi'que. A position between horizontal and vertical. Oblong. Longer than oval, with the sides parallel. Ofjo'vate. Ovate with the narrowest end towards the stem, or place of insertion. Ohsolete. Indistinct, appearing as if worn out. oht-u'se. Blunt, rounded, not acute. ntiora'tnts. Scented, odorous. officinalis. Such plants as are kept for sale as medicinal, or of use in ;he arts. (jiil, Oi'des. This termination imports resemblance, as petaloid, like a petal ; thalictroides, resembling a thalictrum, &c. Opa'que. Not transparent. o,'er f culum. The lid which covers the capsules of mosses. Opposite. Standing against each other on opposite sides of the stem. Orhic'ular. Circular. Orchid/eons. Petals like the orchis, four-arched; the fifth longer. Ortiithol'ogy. That department of zoology which treats of birds, o.s. A bone. A mouth. 'to'scous. Bony, hard. O'rary. A name sometimes given to the outer covering of the germ, before it ripens. O'vate. Egg-shaped, oval, with the lower end largest. Gcip'arous. Animals produced from eggs, as birds, &c. '/rules. Little or?s; the rudiments of seeds which the germ contains before its fertilization ; after that the ovules ripen into seeds. Orum. An egg. ^ P. Palate. A prominence in the lower lip of a labiate corolla, closing or nearly closing the throat. Palea'ceous. See Chaffy, Palmate. Hand-shaped:! divided so as to resemble the hand with tn? fingers spread. ***** Palu-s'tris. Growing in swamps and marshes. Paudu'riform. Contracted in the middle like a violin or guitar. Paii'ide. A loose, irregular bunch of flowers, with sub-divided branches, as the oat. Pan'cled. Bearing panicles. Prj-il'io. A butterfly. Fapiliowa'ceous. Butterfly-shaped an irregular corolla consisting oi four petals; the upper one is called the banner, tne two lide 204 PHY wings, and the lower one he keel, as the pea. Mostly found in hc class Diadelphia. Pipil'lose. Covered with protuberances. P ippus. The down of seeds, as the dandelion ; a feathery appendage, See Egret. Parasit'ic. Growing on another plant, and deriving nourishment from it. Paren'chyma. A succulent vegetable substance; the cellular sub- stance ; the thick part of leaves between the opposite surfaces ; f he pulpy part of fruits, as in the apple, &c. Partial. Used in distinction to general. Partition. The membrane which divides pericarps into cells, cailed the dissepiment. It is parallel when it unites with the valves where they unite with each other. It is contrary or transverse when it meets a valve in the middle or in any part not in its suture. Parted. Deeply divided : more than cleft. Patens. Spreading, forming less than a right angle. Pait'ci. Few in number. Pec'tinate. Like the teeth of a comb, intermediate between fimbriate and pinnatifid. Pedate. Having a central leaf or segment and the two side ones which are compound, like a bird's foot. ^ Ped'icel. A little stalk or partial peduncle. V\ Pedun'cle. A stem bearing the flower and fruit. Pel'lide. A thin membranous coat. Pdlu'cid. Transparent e>r limpid. Peltate. Having the petiole attached to some part of the under side of the leaf. Pendant. Hanging down, pendulous. Pencilled. Shaped like a painter's pencil or brush. Peregri'nus. Foreign, wandering. Peren'nial. Lasting more than two years. Pcrfo'Uate. Having a stem running through the leaf; differs from connate in not consisting of two leaves. Per'f orate. Having holes as if pricked through; differs from punc- tate, which has dots resembling holes. Pe'ri. Around. Per'iantJi. A sort of calyx. Per'icarp, (from peri, around, and karpos, fruit.) A seed vessel Ot whatever contains the seed. Perig'ynous, (from peri, around, and gynia, pistil.) Peris'perm, (from peri, aroufnd, and sperma, seed.) Around the seed Permanent. Any part of a plant is said to be permanent when it re- mains longer than is usual for similar parts in most plants. Persistent. Not falling off. See Permanent. Per'sonatc. Masked or closed. Pe'tal. The leaf of a corolla, usually coloured. Petiole. The stalk which supports the leaf. P kino g' am ous. Such flowers as have stamens and pistils visible, in eluding all plants except the cryptogamous. y^ (derived from the Greek.V A discourse of Nature P R I) 205 Phytol jgy. The science which treats of the organization of vegeta- bles ; nearly synonymous with the physiology of vegetables. Pi'leus. The hat of a fungus. Pillar. See Columella and Column. Pilose. Hairy, with distinct straightish hairs. Pilus. A hair. Pimpled,. See Papillose. Pinna. A wing feather ; applied to leafets. Pinnate. A leaf is pinnate when the leafets are arranged in two rows on the side of a common petiole, as in the rose. Pinnat'ifid. Cut in a pinnate mannec. It differs from pinnate, in be- ing a simple leaf, deeply parted, while pinnate is a compound of dis- tinct leafets. Pistil. The central organ of most flowers, consisting of the germ style, and stigma. Distillate. Having pistils, but no stamens. Sith. The spongy substance in the centre of the stems and roots of most plants. See Medulla. l\aited. Folded like a fan. I la^e- Flat, with an even surface. ; Cica'tus. See Plaited, j- ,umo'se. Feather-like. P u'mula, or Plume. The ascending part of a plant at its first ger- nination. / *u'rimus. Very many. f yd. A dry seed vessel, most commonly applied to legumes and si- liques. Po'dosperm, (from podos, a foot, and spermc,, seed.) Pedicel of the seed. Pointal. A name sometimes used for pistil. Pollen, (properly, fine flour, or the dust that flies in a mill.) The dust which is contained within the anthers. Polus. Many. Polyan'drous. Having many stamens inserted upon the receptacle. Polygamous. Having some flowers which are perfect, and others stamen^ only, or pib'^ls only. Polymorphous. Changw^h^e, assuming many forms. I '"" Poiypet'alous. Having many petals. Polyphyl'lous. Having many leaves. Polywp'alous. A calyx of more than one sepal. Vome. A pulpy fruit, containing a capsule, as the apple. Porous. Full of holes. Pramarse. Ending bluntly, as if bitten off; the same as abrupt. Pras'inus, Green, like a leek. - J ratc7isis. Growing in meadow land. Prickle, differs from the thorn, in being fixed to the bark; tne thorn is fixed to the wood. Pnsmat'ic. Having several parallel flat sides. Probvs'cis. An elongated nose or snout, applied to projecting Darts of vegetables. ^rocess. A projecting part. t. Lying on the ground. IS 206 RET Proliferous. A flower rs said to be proliferous when it has smaller ones growing out of it. Prop. Tendrils and other climbers. Prox'imus. Near. Pseudo. When prefixed to a word, it implies obsolete, or false. Pubes'cent. Hairy, cVjwny, or woolly, Pulp. The juicy cellular substance of berries and other fruits,. Pulver'ulent. Turning to dust. Pu'milus. Small, low. Pimctate. Appearing dotted as if pricked. See Perforated. Pungent. Sharp, acrid, pierr^g. Purpu'reus. Purple. Pusil'lus. Diminutive, low. Puta'men. A hard shell. a. Qtuidran'gular. Having four corners or angles. Quatcr'nate. Four together. Quinate. Five together. S R. R&ttfme, (from rax, a bunch of grapes, a cluster.) That kind of inflo- rescence in which the flowers are arranged by simple pedicels on the sides of a common peduncle ; as the currant. Ra'chis. The common stalk to which the florets and spikelets of grasses are attached ; as in wheat heads. Also the midrib of <ome leaves and fronds. Ra'diate. The legulate florets around the margin of a computed flower. Radix. A root ; the lower part of the plant, which performs the office of attracting moisture from the soil, and communicating it to the other parts of the plant. Rad'ical. Growing from the root. The part of the corculum which afterwards forms ft* rt- also the minute fibres of a root. Ramif'erous. Producing branches. Ramus. A branch. Ray. The outer margin of compound flowers. Receptacle. The end of a flower stalk; the base to which the differ ent parts of the organs of fructification are usually attached. Redi'ned. Bending over with the end inclining towards the ground. Rectus. Straight. Recurv'ed. Curved backwards. Qeflexed. Bent backwards more than recurved. Refrig'erant, (from refrigero, to cool.) Cooling medicines. Re'nJJtvrm. Kidney-shaped, heart-shaped without the point, Repand. Slightly serpentine, or waving on the edge. Repens. Creeping. Resu'pinate. Upside down. fff.t.ir/uUUe Veins crossing each other like net-work. S E R 20-) Retuae. Having a slight notc!i in the end, less han emarginate. Reversed. Bent back towards the base. Rev'olule. Rolled backward or outward. Rkomooid. Diamond-form. Rib. A nerve-like support to a leaf. Rigid. Stiff, not pliable. Ring. The band around the capsules of ferns. Ringent. Gaping or grinning ; a term belonging to the labiate corollas. Root. The descending part of a vegetable, Rootlet. A fibre of a root, a little root. Rosa'ceous. A corolla formed of roundish spreading petals, without claws, or with very short ones. Rose'ous. Rose coloured. Rostel. That pointed part of the embryo which tends downward at the first germination of the seed. Rostrate. Having a protuberance like a bird's beak. Rotate. Wheel-form. Rotun'dus. Round. Rvhra. Red. Rufous. Reddish yellow. Jftigose. Wrin kled . Run'cinate. Having large teeth pointing backwards, as the dandelion. Rupes'tris. Growing among rocks, S. Sagit'tate. Arrow-form. Sali'ferous. Bearing or producing salt. Salsus. Salt tasted. Salver-form. Corolla with a flat spreading border proceeding from the top of a tube ; flower monopetalous. Sam'ara. A winged pericarp not opening by valves, as the maple. Sap. The watery fluid contained in the tubes and little cells of vege- tables. Sapor. Having taste. Sarmeii'tose. Running o~ Uie ground and striking root from the joint only, as the stra w^rry, Sar'cocarp, (from sarx, flesh, and karoos, fruit.) The fleshy part ol fruit. Sca'ber, or Scabrous. Rough. Scandcns. Climbing. Scape. A stalk which springs from the root, and supports flowers and frnit but no leaves, as the dandelion. Sca'rious. Having a thin membranous margin. Scattered. Standing without any regular order. : Scions. Shoots proceeding laterally from the roots or bulb of a root. I Segment. A part or principal division of a leaf, calyx, or corolla, i Se^pervi'rens. Living through the winter, and retaining its leave* \ Sep'al. A leaf of the calyx. Serrate. Notched like the teeth of a saw, Serrulate. Minutely serrate. MS S T E Sessile. Sitting down ; placed immediately on the main stem withoio a foot stalk. Seta. A bristle. Seta'ceous. Bristle-form. Shaft. A pillar, sometimes applied to the style. Sheath. A tubular or folded leafy portion including within it the stem. Shoot. Each tree and shrub sends forth annually a large shoot in the . spring, and another in June. Shrub. A plant with a woody stem, branching out nearer the ground """ than a tree, usually smaller. Sic'cus. Dry. Sil'icle. A seed vessel constructed like a silique, but not longer than it is broad. Silique. A long pod or' seed vessel of two valves, having the seed at- tached to the two edges alternately. Simple. Not divided, branched, or compounded. Sin'uate. The margin hollowed out resembling a bay. Si'nus. A bay ; applied to the plant, a roundish cavity in the edge of the leaf or petal. So'ri, (plural of Soros.) Fruit dots on ferns. Spo/dix. An elongated receptacle of flowers, commonly proceeding from a spatha. : Spa'tha. A sheathing calyx opening lengthwise on one side, and con- sisting of one or more valves. Spat'ulate. Large, obtuse at the end, gradually tapering into a stalk at the base. Spe'cies. The lowest division of vegetables. Specific. Belonging'to a species only. Sper'ma. Seed. Spike. A kind of inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile, or nearly so, as in the mullein, or wheat. Spike' let. A small spike. Spin' die- shaped. Thick at top, gradually tapering, fusiform. Spine. A thorn or sharp process growing from the wood. Spino'sus. Thorny. jSpi'ral. Twisted like a screw. *v f^ff/.r. A sharp hollow projection from a flower, commonly the nectarju> Spur'red-rye. A morbid swelling of the seed, of a black or dark co- lour, sometimes called ergot ; the black kind is called the malig- nant ergot. Grain growing in low moist ground, or new land, is most subject to it. Squamo'sus. Scaly. Squarro'se. Ragged, having divergent scales. Stamen. That part of the flower on which the artificial clasi es ar founded. Stam'inate. Having stamens without pistils. Standard. See Banner. Stcl'late. Ljke a star. Stem. A general supporter of leaves, flowers, and fruit, Stemless. Having nc stem. Ster'ile. Barren. TEG 209 Slig'ma. The summit, or top of the pistil Stipe. The stem of a fern, or fungus ; also the stem of the down of seeds, as in the dandelion. Stip'itate. Supported by a stipe. Sti'pule. A leafy appendage, situated at the base of petioles, or leases Stolonif'erous. Putting forth scions, or running roots. Stramin'eous. Straw-like, straw coloured. Strap-form. Ligulate. Stratum. A layer, plural strata. Striate. Marked with fine parallel lines. Strictus. Stiff and straight, erect. Strigose. Armed with close thick bristles. ^Strob'ilum. A cone, an arnent with woody scales. Style. That part of the pistil which is between the stigma and the germ, Skyfides. Plants with a veryilong style. Sua'vis. Sweet, agreeable.^ Sub. Used as a dimin utive, prefixed to different terms to imply the ex- istence of a quality in an inferior degree ; in English, may be ren- dered by somewhat: it also signifies under. Subero'se. Corky. Submersed. Growing under water. Subterra'-tieous. Growing and flowering under ground. Subtus. Beneath. Sub'acute. Somewhat acute. Sub'sessile. Almost sessile. Svh'uiate. Awl-shaped, narrow and sharp pointed. See Awl-ionr Sur/culent. Jurcy ; it is also applied to a pulpy leaf, whether juicy or not. Sur/cus. Sap. Sucker. A shoot from the root, by which the plant may oe propagated. Suffru'ticose. Somewhat shrubby ; shrubby at the base j an under shrub. Sul'cate. Furrowed, marked with deep lines. Super. Above. Supradecompound. More than decompound ; many times sub-dividea. Superior. A calyx or corolla is superior, when it proceeds from the upper part of the germ. . Supi'nus. Face upwards. See Resupinatus. Suture. The line or seam formed by the junction of two valves of a seed vessel. Sylvestris. Growing in woods. Sijncarpe, (from sun, with, and Jcarpos, fruit.) A union of fruits. Hfyngenesious. Anthers growing together, forming a tube ; such plant? as constitute the class Sygenesia, being also compound flowers, Synonyms. Synonymous, different names for the same plant. Synopsis. A condensed view of a subject, or science. T. Taxonomy, f from taxis, order, and nonius, law. 5 ) Method ot < lassifica- lion. Covering. 18* 2iO U M B Tegument. The skin or covering of seeds ; often burst off on boiling, as in the pea. Temperature. The degree of heat and cold to which any place is sub- ject, not wholly dependent upon latitude, being affected by elevation ; the mountains of the torrid zone produce the plants of the frigid zone. In cold regions white and blue petals are more common ; in warm regions, red and other vivid colours ; in the spring we have more white petals, in the autumn more yellow ones. Tendril. A filiform or thread-like appendage of some climbing plants, bj which they are supported by twining round other objects , Tenellus. Tender, fragile. Tenuifolius. Slender leaved. Tcnuis. Thin and slender. Terete. Round, cylindrical, tapering. Terminal. Extreme, situated at the end. Ternate. Three together, as the leaves of the clover. Tetradynamous. With four long, and two short stamens. Tetran&rous. Having four stamens. Thorn. A sharp process from the woody part of the plant j consider- ed as an imperfect bud indurated. Thread-form. See Filiform. Thyrse. See Panicle. Tige. See Caulis. Tindorius. Plants containing colouring matter. 'fromentosc. Downy; covered with fine matted pubescence. Tonic, (from tono, to strengthen.) Medicines which increase the tone of the muscular fibre. Toothed. See Dentate. Trachea. Names given to vessels supposed to be designed fo r receiv- ing and distributing air. Transverse. Crosswise. Trichotomous. Three for 1 !. ' Trifid. Three cleft. Trifoliate. Three leaved. Trilobate. Three lobed. Trilocular. Three celled. Truncate. Haying a square termination, as if cut ott. Trunk. The stem or bole of a tree. Tube. The lower hollow cylinder of a monopetalous corolla Tuber. A solid fleshy knob. Tuberous. Thick and fleshy, containing tubers, as the potato Tubular. Shaped like a tube, hollow. Tunicate. Coated with surrounding layers, as in the onion. Tat-binate. Shaped like a top or pear. Twining. Ascending spirally. Twisted. Coiled. \S U. sus. Growing in damp places. Umbel. A kind of inflorescence in wlwch the flower stalks irom one centre, like the sticks of an umbrella. WED 211 Umbelliferous. Beai ing umbels. Unarmed Without thorns or prickles. Lncmate. Hooked. Uncluosus. Greasy, oily. Undulate. Waving serpentine, gently rising and fa.ling. Unguis. A claw. Unguiculate. Inserted by a claw. Unifiorus. One flowered. Unicus. Single. Unilateral. Growing on one side. Urceolate. Swelling in the middle, and contracted at the top iL the form of a pitcher. V. Valves. The parts of a seed vessel into which it finally separates, also the leaves which make up a glume or spatha. Variety. A subdivision of a species distinguished by character which are not permanent; varieties do not with certainty produce their kind by their seed. All apples are but varieties of one species ; if the seeds of a sour apple be planted, perhaps some will produce sweet apples. Vaulted. Arched over ; with a concave covering. Veined. Having the divisions of the petiole irregularly branched on the under side of the leaf. Ven'tricose. Swelled out. See Inflated. Vernal. Appearing in the spring. Ver'rucose. Warty, covered with little protuberances. Vertical. Perpendicular. Verticil' late. Whorled, having leaves or flowers in a circle round th stem. Vesic'ular. Made up of cellular substance. Vespertine. Flowers opening in the evening. Vil'lous. Hairy, the hairs long and soft. Viola'ceous. Violet coloured. Vires' 'cens. Inclining to green. Vir'gate. Long and slender. Wandlike. Vir'idis. Green. Virgul'tum. A small twig. Vi'roze. Nauseous to the smell ; poisonous. Viscid. Thick, glutinous, covered with adhesive moisture. Vitel'lus. Called also the yolk of the seed ; it is between the albumen and embryo. Vit'reus. GCassy. Vivip'arous. Producing others by means of bulbs or seeds germina- ting while yet on the old plant. Vul'nerary, (from vulnus, a wound,) medicines WiJch heals wounds. \x w. Wedge-form. Shaped like a wedge, rounded at the laige end, obovate wiih strnish sides. 212 ZOO Vt^Tieel-shaped. See Rotate. Wiorled. Having flowers or leaves growing in a ring. Wings. The two side petals of a papilionaceous flower. Wood. The most solid parts of trunks of trees and shrubs. Z. Zool'ogy. The science which treats of animals. Zo'ophytes. The lowest older of animals, sometimes called plants, though considered as wholly belonging to the animal king- dom. They resemble plants in their form, a*4 exhibit very faint marks of sensation. LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. Mankind in all ages have delighted to personify flowers, to imagine them as possessing moral characters corresponding with their outward appearance; thus we speak of the modest violet, the humble daisy, Ihe proud tulip, and the flaunting peony. In those nations where the imagination is lively, and leads men to the use of figurative language, flowers are often made to speak the sentiments of the heart, in a man- ner more delicate and impressive than could be done uy words. Even with us z who are not a people remarkable for brilliancy of fancv, flowers lorm an interesting medium of communication, and often awaken tender recollections. When our parlours or gardens show us these living witnesses of a friend's kindness or affectionate remembrance, we feel a pleasing emotion steal upon our hearts. A shrub or tree presented us, by a departed friend, is a perennial monu- ment to his memory, more touching to the heart than an inscription on marble. It is a fact which may ever be noticed, that those who love flowers, are social in their tastes, and delight to share their enjoyments with others. In a sordid love of money, we see the reverse of this ; here, so far from ihe wish to communicate to others, the heart seems to be- come more and more dead to sympathies and benevolence. We should seek to improve our affections and to calm our spirits by such pursuits as seem best calculated to produce this effect. Hence, we may indulge a fondness for flowers, as not only innocent, but favourable to the health of the soul. Among the ancients, flowers were used in their religious celebra- tions. Christians, even to this day, decorate their churches with flow- ers and evergreens in seasons of peculiar solemnity. In many countries the dead are decked with flowers for their burial, and the tombs are ornamented with garlands and festoons. Thus Mrs. Hemans says : " Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed, A crown for the brow of the early dead ! For this, through its leaves has the white rose burst, For this in the woods was the violet mirs'd ; Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, They are love's last gift bring flowers, pale flowers." The bride of almost every nation is adorned with flowers; the rost tnd orange U issom are among the favourites for this purpose. 214 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. The infant loves flowers, and the young child when he first into the fields and plucks the luxuriant wild flowers, exhibits a de- light which the most costly toys cannot impart. We wiL now give a few examples of attaching sentiments to flow- ers ; and should the young reader become so much interested in this, as to wish to pursue the subject, we will recommend him to peruse the article, " Symbolical Language of Flowers," in the Familiar Lec- tures on Botany, and the more full explanaticis to be met in " Flora's Dictionary," and " Flora's Interpreter." Acacia, Friendship. Acanthus, Indissoluble ties. Aconitum, (Monk's-hood,) Deceit. Amaranthus, Unchanging. Amaryllis, Coquetry. Anemone, Frailty. Aram, (Wild-turnip,) Ferocny. Aster, Beauty in retirement. Asdepias, (Milk-weed,) Hope. Bachelor's button, Hope, even in misery. -.Balm, How L sveet is social intercourse I xiroom, Humility. Broom-corn, Industry. \Ba2samine, (Lady's slipper of the garden,) Impatience. \*&ay, I change but in death. \teox, Constancy. _ Bell-ftovjer, Gratitude. *" Cardinal jlower, High station does not confer happiness. China aster, 1 return your affection. Chrysanthemum, (White,) Truth needs no protestation*. Clematis, (Virgin's bower,) Mental excellence. i 'wk's-comb, Foppery, Affectation. ( ^onvolvulus, Uncertainty. ( V0107I- imperial, Great but not good. f "hamomile, Blooming in sorrow. Carnation, Disdain. Daisy, Unconscious beauty. Dandelion, Smiling on all. Heart' s-case, (Garden violet,) Forget-me-noi. Hollyhock, Ambition. Honeysuckle, Fidelity. Houstonia, Innocence. Hydrangea, Boastful. Jasmine, Gentle. Iris, A message for you* \ Larkspur, Inconstant. ^Lily, (White,) Purity. L,ily of the Valley, Delicacy. Mo,rigold, Cruelty. Mirabilis, (Four o'clock,) Timidity. Mignonette, Beauty in the mind rather than the pf rja Mick Orange, (Philadelphus,} Counterfeit. LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 215 Myrtle, Love. Narcissus, Selfishness. Olive t Peace. Orange flowers, A bridal. Parsley, Useful knowledge. Passion flmver, Devotion. Pink, single, A stranger to art. PIIV.C, variegated, Reftisa 1 Peony, Orientation. Poppy, Forgetfulness. Rosemary, Rememorance. Rose-bud, A confession. Rose, wild, Simplicity. Rose, cinnamon, Without pretentittL. Sage, Domestic virtues. Snow-drop, I am not a summer friend. Strawberry, A pledge of happiness. Sweet William* Artful. Sweet pea, Departure. Tulip, Vanity. Weeping willow t Forsaken. fines, written on seeing a splendid collect* of Watek Lilies on tbe ttrtLoe of Saratoga Lake, may convey to the young reader a useful moral Here on this gently sloping bank Of mossy flowers, I love to lie ; While round, the vernal grass so rank, Of green, reflects the richest u/e. The placid lake of silver sheen, Fans with soft breath rny burning cheek, While from its bosom all serene, Fresh odours rise from blossoms meek. Sweet, modest plants, condemned to dwell In solitude and lonely shade ; Oh, do you not sometimes rebel, That thus obscure your lot is made ? But corne with me to fairy bowers, Deck'd by the. tasteful hand of art ; And ye shall know of brighter hours, And share the pleasures of my heart Nymphfea* hears my earnest plea, Meek, white-robed lily of the lake ; And wafting forth a sigh to me, The unambitious flowret spake. Mortal, forbear ! thou knowest not, How idle is thy foolish dream; Nor is our lowly, humble lot, Sad as thy erring heart may deem. The White water lily. 10 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. Round us the silver trout do glide, Wlithe zephyrs dance amidst our bowen* And with us insects gay abide, Who call us sweetest of the flower*. \Vu make these solitudes rejoice, Adorn and bless our parent wave ; An. I fhould it be her children's choice To leave her, but to find a grave ? We should not he in bowers of art, Blooming and fresh as we are here - Soon would our lovlines* depart And wither'd things we should appeal. Sffn yellow Xapn^ir* now so gay, Blue Pontederiaf fresh and fair, Oh, they worf.d droop the very daj, Should take them from their natal air! An'l I, ho said, in accent* sweet, Whose robe of plant and simple white Is for these shades a garment meet ;- could not bide the glaring lipiit, Which gaudy tulips love so well Oh grant me, Heuv'n my little daf Uniouch'd by pride may pass awayt ? ~* h^ Ye ow watPi-lilr ^A beautiful aquatic flo-wr. witn boornB inicitiv crowded upon a ipike ; i lower intermixed with the \Vb:tb ana ir allow hiis. produces a fine effect. . " . 2' 14 DAY USE FROM. WHICH BORROWED This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 1 ; NOV 2- 1969 OCT 2 4 1969 2 80/09