A ta 20) ee % 2) Fu A [ea] op) « <0) ©) ~ =) Pa SPECIAL GRANT R _ FO NATURAL HISTORY LL. AA > Fr Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Ottawa http://www.archive.org/details/lettersonelemenOOrous L B 1) EE Teed À Hi OVN ST Bue FRERE" M OF MTS ÉD A AS CNE Ve JT a ‘ tne à axe \ > - " Fe : é Boeke. oe BRS EOL JEM ees NET: S Oo F B O is Ben CIN Ve ADDRESSED TO A LADY. By the celebrated F. F.. ROUSSEAU. TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH, WoT NOT 28, AND TWENTY-FOUR ADDITIONAL LETTERS, FULLY EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM OF LINNÆUS, By THOMAS MARTYN, B.D.‘ F.R.5. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. THE TATED VE DTT O WN, WITH CORRECTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. Bao, OLIN: PRINTED FOR B WHITE AND SON, AT HORACE'S HEAD, FLEET-STREET. MDCCXCI. PL AR d » tn sy Pete pet Bye . «ds ce 3. Z ve wo ot à x pani ‘i oa " EX i? 4 + 6° ee + 14 ees aie nié 0% seiner: ‘ann. a, . a: eu ees +4. lys te Was ‘2 Satta 1228, t a y … x ee Ane ry “ar Ki Fe LEE - vines, +0 QUE (re a MEFTT «Qi er tr te ‘ne “Hamas 1G peed aa! Ç tte ot 100 MERDE Ne NAT RUES OF ey MS EN ae By Oe | Aas oes TN: NO LESS EMINENT FOR THEIR ELEGANT AND USEFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THAN ADMIRED 0 FOR THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PERSONS: THIS THIRD EDITION OF THE FOLLOWING Io Bre EURE Er Ree LS Well Hepa, eerie TIM, TN SC Rit BED Buy THE TRANSLATOR AND EDITOR Aa, F4 0: a at ey no ent ae oF ae”, enn Ratt 1I4M0 DI» NET an LATE se o uarete erie’ 2h Ses hay % HE TRANSLATOR’s PREFACE. HEN the Elementary Letters on Botany? firft prefented themfelves to me, in turning over the laft complete edition of Roufleau’s works?, their elegance and fimplicity pleafed me enough to make me give them a fecond more attentive perufal. I then thought that they had confiderable me- rit; and that if they were difembarraffed from the chaos of fifteen quarto volumes, and tranf- lated into Englifh, they might be of ufe to fuch of my fair countrywomen and unlearned countrymen as wifhed to amufe themfelves with natural hiftory. When the tranflation was done, I per- ceived that the foundation only being laid by the ingenious author, it could be of little *Lettres Elementaires fur la Botanique a Madame de L*. Melanges, tome ii. page 531, &c. ? Collection complete des Oeuvres de J. J. Roufleau. Geneve, 1782. fervice, Viil TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. fervice, without raifing the fuperftructure. This I have attempted; not flattering myfelf that it is executed in Rouffeau’s manner, which is inimitable, but merely with the defign of being ufeful. What books can you recommend, that may enable me to acquire a competent knowledge of Botany? is a queftion that has very fre- quently been afked me. To the learned I can readily anfwer, the works of Linnæus alone will furnifh you with all the knowledge you have occafion for; or, if they are deficient in any point, will refer you to other authors, where you may have every fatisfation that books can give you‘. But I am not very foli- citous to relieve thefe learned gentlemen from their. embarraffment ; they have refources enough, and know how to help themfelves. As to the unlearned, if I were to fend them to the tranflation of Linnæus’s works, they would only find themfelves bewildered in an inextricable labyrinth of unintelligible terms, and would only reap difouft from a ftudy, that is, perhaps, more capable of affording © Thefe writings of Linnæus are — Philofophia Bota- nica, that inexhauftible mine of elementary knowledge — Genera Plantarum — Species Plantarum — and Syftema Vegetabilium, which is an epitome of the two laft. pleafure TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. 1X pleafure than any other. If I were to bid them fit down, and ftudy their grammar ¢ re- gularly ; fo dry and forbidding an outfet might difcourage the greater number; and few would enter the temple through a veftibule of fo unpromifing an appearance. A language however muft be acquired; but then it may be done gradually ; and the t@dium of it may, in fome meafure, be relieved by carrying on at the fame time a ftudy of facts, and the philofophy of nature. This feems to have been Roufleau’s idea, and 1 have endeavoured not to lofe fight of it in my continuation of his eight ingenious letters. Let an unlearned perfon then, who is de- firous of acquiring fome knowledge of Bo- tany, begin by taking a few plants with flowers, whofe parts are fufficiently vifible, and examine them patiently by the defcrip- tions and charaéters which are given in the following pages. You may perhaps know fome plants by their names; or if not, you will be unfortunate indeed if you have not a friend who will fhow you the flower of a lily. If in the courfe of your examination, 4 In Lee’s Introduction, Rofe’s Elements, &c. A any ~ x TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. any term fhould occur, that is not explained in the page, or mentioned in the index, you inay have recourfe to the Dictionary, the In- troduction, or the Elements. If you can have patience to go through the firft feven letters, with a plant or two of each natural tribe explained in them; to make yourfelf mafter of the claffification in the ninth and tenth; and to examine the obvious plants, whofe characters are given in the twenty following letters, as they occur; I flatter "-myfelf that you will find little difficulty after that, in determining any plant which you fhall happen to meet with, by Lin- næus’s characters, as delivered by his tranf- lators ©: whereas if you had begun with them, iam confident you would have been difcou- raged from proceeding. Good plates, or figures of plants, will alfo be of confiderable affiftance: thofe of Mr. Curtis’s Flora Lendinenfis will fuffice for moft of the Britifh natives: efpecially as he has accompanied his plates with ample and accu- * A fyftem of vegetables, &c. tranflated from the 13th edition of Linnzus’s Syftema Vegetabilium, by a botanical jociety at Lichfield. ——The Genera Plantarum is fince alfo tranflated by the fame hands. rate » TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE, Xi rate defcriptions in Englifh as well. as Latin. Mr. Millet’s figures to his Gardener’s Dition- ary, exhibit a great number of the moft re- markable foreigners. There is indeed no want of fuch help‘: but the misfortune is, that thefe books are fo very expenfive, as to be. far beyond the purfe of all but the opulent. I beg leave to proteft againft thefe letters being read in the eafy chair at home; they can be of no ufe but to fuch as have a plant in their hand; nor do they pretend to any thing more, than to initiate fuch as, from their+gnorance of the learned languages, are unable to profit by the works of the learned, in the firft principles of. vegetable nature. Botany is not to be learned in the clofet ; you muft go forth into the garden or the fields, f Catefby’s Carolina. Martyn’s Hiftoria Plantarum Rariorum. Oeder’s Flora Danica. Dillenius’s Hortus Elthamenfis. _Befler’s Hortus Eyftettenfis. Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus. Rumphius’s Herbarium Amboi- nenfe. Trew’s Florum Imagines & Plante rariores. Jac- -quin’s Flora Auftriaca, hortus Vindobonenfis, &c. Ehret’s Plante rariores. Blackwell’s Herbal. - Hills Vegetable Syftem. .Merian’s Surinam and European Plants and Infe&s. Allionii Flora Pedemontana. Pallas’s Flora Roffica ; and Scopoli’s Flora Infubrica—are, all very fine works, but coft an immenfe fum to purchafe them. A 2 and xii TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. and there become familiar with Nature her- felf; with that beauty, order, regularity, and inexhauftible variety which is to be found in the ftructure of vegetables ; and that wonder- ful fitnefs to its end, which we perceive in every work of creation, as far as our limited underftandings, and partial obfervations, give us a juft view of it. In the fecond edition a few miftakes were corrected, and fome improvements were made ; the principal of thefe was, a reference at the foot of the page to fome authors who have figured the plants. For this purpofe I pre- ferred Curtis and Miller: when thefe failed me, I had recoutfe to the Flora Danica, &c. and I ufually referred to old Gerard, or Mo- rifon, or both, for the fake of fuch as do not poflefs the more fplendid works, and live re- mote from public libraries. In this third edition thefe references are confiderably multiplied; and that the plants which are wanted for examination may be the more readily found, the generic names are now firft given in the margin, and a running title of the clafles and orders is placed at the top of the page. THE THE CO NT EON TS. NTRODUCTION. A fhort hiftory of the rife and ~ progrefs of Botany; particularly of Nomenclature and Syftematic Arrangement. Lerrer I. The true ufe of Botany—the main thing to be learnt, not mere names, but the vegetable ftruéture.— component parts of a plant, p. 21—fructification ex- plained—the parts that compofe a Aower—corolla, piftil, ftamen, exemplified in the Lily, p. 22.—the Pericarp, p. 24—calyx, p. 25—character of the Liliaceous Tribe of plants, p. 25 —Botany a ftudy of obfervations and facts, p- 26, | LeTTER II. Double flowers to be avoided in botanical examinations—analyfis of the Stock-gilliflower, as an ex- ample of the tribe of Cruciform flowers, p. 28—divifion of the tribe into two orders, Siliquofe and Siliculofe, p. 3t—fmall flowers to be examined with a glafs—other inftruments neceflary for a botanift, p. 32. Lerrer II. Botany not to be ftudied by books, but by nature, p. 33—analyfis of the Pea flower, p. 34—diftinc- tion of flowers into regular and irregular—precautions to bring the embryo to maturity, particularly in the pulle ‘ibe, Ra 5—Legume diftinguifhed from the Silique, p. 38—thefe all have flowers of the Pea ftructure, called Papilionaceous, p. 39. Lerrer IV. Reafon why two ftamens are fhorter than the other four in Cruciform flowers, p. 40—olands at _the bafe of the filaments—ufe of them, p.41. Ringent flowers, p. 42—Labiate: Analyfis of the white Dead- Nettle, p. 42—Perfonate—exemplified in Snap-dragon A 3 _ and xiv CON TEN T 5.5 and Toad-flax, p. 45. Comparifon of the Labiate and Perfonate flowtrs; with the true way of diftinguifhing them, p. 46. Letrer V. Glands very fmall, p. 48—Botany not a fcience of words, but that which teaches the ftruéture of Vegetables The firft thing to be learnt, is how to fee, and to exercife the underftanding, p. 48. Dif- pofition of the fructification in the umbellate tribe, p. 50 _—divifion of flowers into Inferior and Superior, D. 52— defcription of the flower and fruit of Umbellate plants, p. 52—proper character of the tribe, p. 53. Rule to avoid miftakes in afcertaining this character—inftanced in the Elder, p. 54—in Eryngo, p. 55—great fimilitude of umbellate plants—fecondary characters to affift us in diftinguifhing them—Diftinétion of Fool’s Parfley and Chervil, p. 57- Lerrer VI. The umbellate and other natural tribes of plants to be known by their habit, p. 60—correéted by an analyfis of the fructification—Stru@ure of Compound flowers exemplified in the Common Daify, p. 61—made up of flofcules or florets, p. 64—which are of two forts, florets properly fo called, and femi-florets, p. 64—thefe divide the whole tribe into three feétions—1. Semiflof- culous flowers. 2. Flofculous. 3. Radiate. Diftinc- tion between Compound and Aggregate or Capitate flowers, p. 66——Receptacle the moft eflential part of a Compound flower—exemplified in the Dandelion, poy. Lhe Calyx—double—imbricate Structure of a Floret, p. 68—and of a Semi-floret, p. 70. —-The ufe of the down to the feeds, p. 70—and of the change in the form of the calyx. Flowers moft adapted for exa- mination, p. 71. | LETTER CON TEN T5: XY Letter VII. Botany a ftudy of curiofity only, p: 72— nature changed and disfigured by us in many refpects, p. 72—for the children of pure nature we muft look in fields and woods. Fruit trees however, though engrafted, retain their botanical characters. The different fruits are but varieties. Pear—Apple—Quince—Cherry— Plum—Apricot—-Almoad—-Peach—-Ne¢tarine— their charaéters—and that of the clafs to which they all be- long, p. 74 _ Letrer VII. The manner how to form an Hortus Sic- cus, or colle&tion of dried plants. ‘The ufe of it, to put us in mind of what we have once known, not to give us a knowledge of plants we have never feen before: which can only be had, by gathering them and examining. them ourfelves. Letter IX. The fkill of a Botanift confifts in finding out plants that are unknown to him-—In.order to this he muft learn a fyftem—which is artificial—but preferves the natural tribes hitherto explained. The Clafles in the fyftem of Linnæus explained, p. 86. Letter X. Genera and fpecies not to be determined without a regular arrangement, p. 98. The Orders in the fyftem of Linnæus explained. —— Two tables of the characters of the Claffes and Orders, p. 109. Letrer XI. Explanation of generic aad fpecific cha- racters of plants begun—Monandrid—Hippuris, p. 115— Canna, p. 117. | Lerrer XII, The examination. of plants facilitated by the clearnefs and order of arrangement; and by pro- ceeding regularly from generals to particulars, p. 119. The orders thrown into great fubdivifions —inftanced in the firft order of the fecond clafs, p. 120—Diandria À 4 — Jafmine, xvi CaOSNIT'E (NOT S. —Jafmine, p. 121—Privet, Phillyrea, Olive, Lilac- Veronica, pe 122—Butterwort—Vervain—Rofemary— Sage, ps 124. Lerrex XII. Corn and Grafles—the moft ufeful and pleafant tribe of plants, p. 127—more than 300 fpecies of Grafs—the flowers have all the conftituent parts, p. 128.—Moftly belong to the fecond order of the third clafs, p.129. General character of the whole tribe— its four fubdivifions, p. 132. Canary-grafs, Fox- tail, Cat’s-tail, p. 133—varieties from foilland fituation, p. 134. Melica, Aira, p. 135—Briza, Poa, Feftuca, Brome, Oats and Oat-grafs, Reed, p. 135, &c.—Rie, Wheat, Barley, Darnel, Dog’s-tail, p. 143 —Vernal, p. 150—Cinna—Soft, p. 151—Bog-rufh, Cyperus, Club-rufh, Cotton-grafs—Cat’s-tail, Bur-reed, Sedge Rufh, Sugar, p. 153- LerTer XIV, Other plants of the third clafs—ZJris. Lerrer XV. The fourth clafs—Aggregate flowers— Teafel, Scabious, p. 159 Stellated Plants— General habit a leading circumftance, but not to be finally de- pended upon, p. 163—Madder, Sherardia, Woodroof, Galium, p. 164—Plantain, p. 165—By a careful exa- mination of known plants, a facility acquired in deteét- ing fuch as are unknown, p. 166 ——Common plants preferred to rare ones, p. 167—and why—Ladies man- tle, p. 167—Dodder, p. 168—Pondweed, p. 169. + Letter XVI. The fifth clafs—Pentandria and the firft order Monogynia.: ‘The natural order of Preciæ, p. 171 —Primrofe, Oxflip, Cowilip; Polyanthus, p. 172— General directions for the examination of plants, p. 173 — Dodecatheon or Meadia, Cyclamen, p. 175—Marfh, Trefoil, p. 176— Water Violet, p. 177— Another natu- ral GOYNXT ENT &. xvii ral order cf Afperifoliæ or rough-leaved, p. 177— Turn. fole, p. 179—Moufe-ear Scorpion-grafs, Gromwell, p. 180—Hound’s-tongue, Comfrey, p. 181—Cerinthe, Borage, Buglofs, p. 182—Viper’s Buglofs. Campa- naceæ or Bell-flowers——Convolvulus or Bindweed, p. 183—-Ipomza, Campanula, p. 185 —— Polemonium, p. 189. Caution not to be mifled by vulgar names. Natural order of Luridæ, p. 190—Verbafcum or Mul- lein, p. 191—Datura or Thorn-Apple, p. 192—Hen- bane, p. 193—T'obacco, p. 194—Deadly Nightfhade, p. 195—Mandrake, p. 197—Winter Cherry, p. 198— Nightfhade, p. 199—Potato, p. 201—Egg-plant, Cap- ficum, p. 202. Shrubs—Honeyfuckle, p. 204—Buck- thorn, Berry-bearing, or Black Alder, p. 206—Ala- ternus, Chrift’s- oth: p: 207 Ceftrum, Diofma, p. 209. Specious plants—Lychnidea, Marvel of Peru, p. 210—Crefted Amaranth or Cock’s- comb, p. 211. Natural Order of Contortæ, p. 212—Peri- Coffee, p, 208— wincle, p. 213—Oleander, p. 214—Cape Jafmine, Plu- meria, p- 215——Jefuit’s- bark—Afclepias, P. 216—Sta- pelia, p. 217, HP XVII. Nectary what—its ufe—and the vari- ety ‘of its forms, p. 220. The fecond Order of the fifth Clafs—Oleraceous plants—Goofefoot, Beet, p. 221 —Glaflwort, p. 222—Globe Amaranth, p. 223—Elm, Gentian, p. 224. Leffler Centaury, Yellow Centaury, p. 226——The Umbellate tribe—Hemlock Chervil, how to diftinguifh it from Garden Chervil, p. 227— "Water Parfnep, how to diftinguith it from Water Crefles, p. 229—Hemlock, p. 230—Wild Chervil, or Cow- weed, Rough Chervil, p. nn A plants ufed for food, Carrot, p. 232—Sampire, p. 233—Angelica, P- D lg ic bi Parfnep, Fennel, p. FRERE i Parfley, Xvi CONTENTS _, Parfley, Smallage, Celeri, p. 236—Earth-nut, or Pig- //nut, Ferula, Cow-Parfnep, p. 237—Shepherd’s-needle. . The third Order—Sumach, p. 238—Wayfaring-tree, Marfh-Elder, Gelder Rofe, Lauruftinus. The fourth Order—Parnaffia, p. 239. The fifth Order—Thrift, Flax, p. 240. Letter XVIII. Hexandria Monogynia—Liliaceous plants, p. 242—all of them not in this Clafs—fome other ge- nera mixed with them—divided into three feCtions from ' the calyx. 1. Ananas, p. 243—Tradefeantia. 2. Snow- drop, p. 244—Narciflus, p. 245—Amaryllis, p. 246. 3. Tulip, p. 248—Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, p. 249 —Aloe, p. 250—Plants not liliaceous—Barberry, Ca- lamus aromaticus, p. 251—Rattan, Rufh, Second Or- der, Digynia—Rice. Third Order, Trigynia—Dock, p. 252—Meadow Saffron. Fourth Order, Water Plantain, p. 254, | Lerrer XIX.” Héptandria, the fmalleft of all the Claffes —Horfe Chefnut, p. 255—Ofandria, the eighth Clafs —Indian Crefs, Tree Primrofe, p. 256. Willow Herb, Heath, p. 257—Mezereon—Spurge Laurel, p. 259—Second Order—Yellow perfoliate Gentian —Third Order—Biftort, p. 260. Knot-grafs, Buck- wheat, Black Bindweed, p. 261. ÆEnneandria, the ninth Clafs, a very fmall one, p. 261—Bay, Aca- ' Jou or Cafhew, p. 262—Rhubarb, p. 263—Flower ing Rufh, p. 265—Decandria, the tenth Clafs. The ~ firft Order—Dittany or Fraxinella, p. 266—Dio- næa Mufcipula, Rue, p. 267—Arbutus or Strawberry- tree. Second order—-Saxifrage, p, 269—Dianthus, Sw eet-William, Carnation, Pink, China Pink, p. 271— Third “Order—Arenaria, Stellaria, Cucubalus, Silene, 6 Pp. 273- CONTENT S. ee p.273. Spatling Poppy. Fourth Order—Sedums or Stone-crops, p. 274— Cockle, Lychnis, p. 275. Lerrer XX. . The eleventh Clafs, Dodecandria Number of ftamens from 12 to 19—Firft Order, p. 277 —Afarabacca, Purflain, Looftrife, p. 278—Second Or- der—Agrimony, p. 279—Third Order—Dyer’s-weed or Weld, Sweet Refeda, p. 280—Euphorbia or Spurge, p. 281—Laft Order—Houfeleek, p. 284. Lerrer XXI. Clafs fcofandria—confifts much of trees and fhrubs, efpecially Fruit-trees — Rule to diftinguifh it, p. 286—Caétus, Melon-thiftle, Torch-thiftle, Indian- fig, p. 287—Syringa, Myrtle, p. 289—Second Order— Cratægus, p. 290—Third Order—Mountain Afh, Ser- vice. Fourth Order—Apple, Pear, Quince, Medlar, Spiræa,-p. 291—Ficoides or Fig-marigold, p. 292—~ Laft Order—Rofe, p. 293—Strawberry, p. 2g4—Clafs Polyandria—Reafons why it is kept difinct from the for- mer, p. 204—Poppy, p. 295—Caper, Tea-tree, Lime, Water-lily, Ciftus, p. 296—Multifiliquous plants— Peony, Larkfpur, Aconite, Columbine, Hellcbore, p. 297 Tulip-tree, p. 299— Magnolia, p. 30@—Hepatica, Pafque-flower, Wood Anemone, Eaftern and Garden - Anemonies, p. 301—Ranunculus, p. 302. - Letrer XXII. Fourteenth Clafs Didynamia. Claf- fical character, p. 305—Firft Order—Gymnofpermia, Verticillate plants—Ground Ivy, Mint, Lavender, p. 306 —Teucrium, Bugle, Betony, Cat-mint, p. 307—Black Horehound, White Horehound, Wild Thyme, p. 308— _ Garden Thyme, Bafil, Marjoram, p. 309—Dittany of. Crete, Baum, Baumof Gilead, p. 310—Self-heal, Scutella- ria, p. 311—Second Order—Anziofpermia, Broom-rape, _ Rhinanthus, or Yellow-rattle, p. 312--Eye-bright, Toad- flax, XX COTE N TS flax, p. 313—remarkable change in this plant—Snap- dragon, p. 314—-Three-leaved Toad-flax, Figwort, p. 315—Foxglove, Trumpet-flower, p. 316—Catalpa, Acanthus, p. 317. Plants named from eminent per- fons, p. 318. Lerter XXIII. Fifteenth Clafs—Tetradynamia. Claf- fical character, p. 319—Firft Order—Siliculofe. Ho- nefty or White Satin, p. 320—Candy-tuft, Scurvy-grafs, Horfe-radith, p. 321—Second Order—Siliquofe—Ra- difh, Eryfimum, p. 322—Winter-crefs, Sauce-alone, Stock, Wall-flower, Rocket, p. 323—Arabis, Cabbage, Turnep, Colefeed, Woad, Sea Colewort, p. 324.— Cardamine, Muitard, Charlock, p. 325—Water-crefs, p. 326. Flixweed, p. 327. LeTTEer XXIV. Plants to be examined at different fea- fons. Clafs Monadelphia, p. 328—Claffical character. Five Orders—their charaëter—and that of the genera, p. 329—Hermannia, p. 331—Geranium, p. 332— Marfh-Mallow; Mallow, p. 341—Hollyhock, p. 342— Althea Frutex, p. 343—China Rofe, Mufk, p. 344. Lerrer XXV. Clafs feventeenth—Diadelphia. Orders four, from the number of ftamens, p. 345—Fumitory —Milkwort, p. 346—Order Decandria Papilionaceous flowers, p. 347—Charaëter of the Order, p. 349— Spanifh Broom, p. 350—Common Broom, White Spa- nith Broom, Portugal Broom, Prickly Cytifus, p. 351— Dyer’s Weed, Nenite Furze, Common Furze, Reft- harrow, p. 352—Ladies finger, Jupiter’s beard, P+ 353— Lupin, p. 354—Kidney Bean, Everlafting Pea, p. 356— Yellow Veichling, Crimfon Grafs Vetch, Sweet Scented Pea, Painted Lady Pea, Tangier Pea, p. 357—Vetch or Tare, p. 358—Bean, Bladder Sena, p. 360—Scarler Colutea, CONBENTS. xxi Colutea, Herbaceous Colutea, p. 361—Laburnum, Cy- tifus, p. 362—Baftard Acacia, Caragana, p. 363— Scorpion Sena, Indigo, p. 364—Liquorice, p. 365— French Honeyfuckle, Saintfoin, Trefoil, p. 366—Lotus, Lucerne, p. 367—Heart-clover, Snails, Hedge-hogs, p. 368—Caterpillars. Clafs Polyadelphia, p. 369—Ci- tron, Orange, Lemon, Shaddock, p. 370—St. John’s Wort, p. 372—-St. Peter’s Wort, p. 373—Tutlan, Majorca St. John’s Wort, p. 374—Chinefe Hyperi- cum, p. 375. Lerrer XXVI. Clafs Syngenea or Compound Flowers, p. 376. Firft Order—Polygamia Æqualis, p. 377— Goat’s-beard. How to diftinguifh a Double from a Compound Flower, p. 378—Salfafy, Scorzonera, p. 379 —Sowthiftle, Lettuce. Way to diftinguifh plants of the fame natural Clafs, p. 330 —Hawkweed, Succory, Endive, p. 381—Thiftles, Way-thiftle, p. 382—Cotton-thiftle, Artichoke, Burdock, p. 383—Eupatorium, Bidens, p. 384. Second Order—Polygamia Superflua. Tanfy, p. 385— Southernwood, Common Wormwood, Roman Worm- wood, p. 386—Mugwort, Sea Wormwood, Yellow and White Everlafting, p. 387—Xeranthemum, Colt’s- Foot, p. 388—Butter-bur, Groundfel, p. 389 —Rag- wort, African Groundiel, p. 390—After, Golden-rod, p. 391—Elecampane, Fleabane, p. 393—Leopard’s- bane, p. 394—French and African Marigolds, p. 295— Ox-eye Daify, Corn Marigold, p. 396—Chryfanthe- mum, Feverfew, Camomile, Milfoil, p. 397. Third Order—Polygamia Fruftranea, p. 308—Annual Sun- flower, Perennial Sunflower, p. 399—Jerufalem Arti- choke, p. 400—Sweet Sultan, Great Centaury, Com- mon Knapweed, p. 401—Great Knapweed, Blue- bottle, Mountain Blue-bottle, Carduus benediétus, p. 402 — Star- xxii CONTENTS. —Star-thiftle——Fourth Order—Polygamia Neceffaria, Marigold, p. 403—-Fifth Order—-Polygamia Segre- gata. Globe-thiftle—Sixth Order—Monogamia, p. 404. Sweet Violet, Dog Violet, Panfes, p. 405—Balfamine, Wild Balfam, p. 406, 407. Lerrer XXVIT. The twentieth Clafs —— Gyrandria. Character., Firft Ofder—Diandria. A Natural tribe, p. 409—Its character, p. 410—Leading characters of the principal genera, Orchis. Butterfly, p. 412—Pyra- midal, p. 413—Male, Female, p. 414—Dwarf, p. 415— Broad-leaved, Spotted, p. 416—Sweet Satyrium—Li- zard, Frog, p. 417—Ophrys—Twayblade, Spiral, p. 419—Fly, Bee, Spider, p. 420—Lady’s Slipper, p. 422—Order Pentandria. Pafion-flower, p. 423— Order Polyandria—Arum, p. 426. Lerrer ‘XXVIII. The twenty-firft Claf—/Monœcia. Character, p. 429—Order Triandria contains a natural tribe called Calamariæ. Cat’s-tail, p. 430—Bur-reed, p. 431—Mays, p. 432—Sedge, p. 433— Trees in Order Tetrandria, p. 433—Birch, Alder, p. 434—Box, Mul- berry, p. 435—in Order Polyandria: Oak, p. 436— Ilex, p. 437—Cork, Walnut, p. 438—Chefnut, Beech, p. 439—Hornbeam, Hazel, p. 441—Plane, p. 442—in Order Monadelphia: Pines, p. 44.3—Cedar, Larch, Firs, p. 445—Cyprefs, p. 446.—Herbs in Order Tetrandria: Nettles—in Order Pentandria: Amaranth, p. 447—in Order Polyandria: Arrow head, Burnet, p. 449—in -Order Monadelphia: Palma Chrifti—in Order Synge- nefia ; the natural tribe of Cucurbitaceæ, p. 450—Spirt- ing Cucumber, Gourd, Pompion, Squafh, p. 451—Me- lon, Cucumber, p. 452. f Lerrer XXIX. The Twenty-fecond Clafs—Diecia. Charaéter. Order Diandria: Willow, p. 453—Order Tetrandria: CONTENTS. Xxiil Tetrandria: : Miffeltoe; ps ,455—Order: Pentandria : Spinach, Hemp, Hop, p. 456-—Order Hexandria: Black Bryony. Order Oétandria: Poplars, p. 457—Order Enneandria: Dog’s Mercury, p. 458. Order Mo- nadelphia: Juniper, Savin, American Cedars, p, 459— Yew, p. 460—Order Syngenefia: Rufcus, Alexandrian Laurel, p. 461. owe Lerrer XXX. The twenty-third Clafs—Polygamia. : Charaéter.. Order Monœcia ; Valantia, p. 463—Pel- litory, p. 464—Atriplex, Maple, p. 465—Senfitive, p. 466—Order Dicecia: Three-thorned Acacia, Ath, p. 467—Order Tricecia: Fig, p. 468. Lerrer XXXI. The different’ forms and ftru@ture of the neétary, and its probable ufe, p. 470—Of the fulcra, and circumftances that affift in afcertaining fpecific dif- ferences, p. 484. LetTerR XXXII. The twenty-fourth Clafs—Cryptoga~ mia, p. 480—Firft Order—Ferns, p. 487—Horfetail, Adder’s-tongue, p. 488—Moonwort, Flowering-Fern, Spleenwort, p. 489—Common Fern or Brake, Hart’s- tongue, Polypody, p. 490—Male Fern, true Maidenhair. Second Order—Mofles, p. 491—Wolf’s-claw Mofs, Bog-Mofs, p. 492—Golden- Maidenhair,. p. 493—hy- grometric Mnium, hairy Bryum, apple-form, pear-form, brown Bryum, p. 494—Silky Hypnum. Third Order— Algæ or Flags, p. 495—Marchantia, Lichen, p. 406— Ulva, Fucus, Conferva, p. 500—Fourth Order— Fungi. Agaric, Boletus, p. 501—Morel, Truffle, Puff- ball, p. 502. | Lately publifhed, Price gs. plain, or 18s. coloured, THIRT Y-EIGHT: PLA EES, WITH EXPLANATIONS; intended to illuftrate Linn #us’s Syftem of Vegetables, and particularly adapted to the LETTERS onthe ELEMENTS of BOTANY. By THomas Marryrn, B.D. F.R.S. ProrgssoR OF BoTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. FLORAsDIAT ET Feet OR, HISTORY co ESCULENT, PLANTES: Both Domestic and FoREIGx. They are accurately defcribed, and reduced to their Linn Han Generic and Specific Names. ME Pom Their Encrisn Names annexed, and ranged under Eleven GrneraL Heaps, viz. 1 Roors, 9 APPLES, & 2 SHooTs, STALKS, &c. J > 8 LEGUMENS, 3 LEAVES, ? 9 GRAIN, ‘4. Flowers, > 10 Nets, 5 BERRIES, © f ax Funcuses. El 6 STONE-FRUIT, AND A particular Account of the Manner of ufing them; their native Places of Growth; their feveral Varieties, and Phy- fical Properties: Together with whatever is otherwife curious, ‘or very remarkable in each Species. By CHarLes Bryant, of NorwicH, Price Six Shillings in Boards. INTRODUCTION. r À HE principal misfortune of Botany is, that from its very birth it has been looked, upon merely as a part of medicine. This was the reafon why every body was employed in finding or fuppofing virtues in plants, whilft the knowledge of plants them- felves was totally neglected: for how could the fame man make fuch long and repeated excurfions as fo extenfive a ftudy demands ; and at the fame time apply himfelf to the fedentary labours of the laboratory, and at- tendance upon the fick ; which are the only methods of afcertaining the nature of vege- table fubftances, and their effects upon the human body? This falfe idea of Botany, for along time, almoft confined the ftudy of it to medicinal plants, and reduced the vegetable chain toa fmall number of inter- rupted links. Even thefe were very ill ftudied, becaufe the fubftance only was at- tended to, and not the organization. How indeed could perfons be much interefted in the organical ftructure of a fubftance, of which they had no other idea but as a thing B to FNAC R I ONDANC T 1.0 Ne to be pounded in a mortar? Plants were fearched for, only to find remedies ; it was fimples, not vegetables that they looked af- ter. This was very right, it will be faid ;. may be fo. Hence neverthelets it follows, that, if men were ever {o weil acquainted with remedies, they were very ignorant of plants; and this is all that I have here ad- vanced. Botany was nothing ; there was no fuch ftudy; and they who plumed themfelves moft upon their knowledge of vegetables, had no idea of their ftructure, or of the vege- tablececonomy. Every body knew by fight five or fix plants in his neighbourhood, to which he gave names at random ; enriched with wonderful virtues, which he took it in his head they poffefled ; and each of thefe plants, changed into an univerfal panacea, was alone fufficient to render all mankind immortal. ‘Thefe plants, transformed into balfams and ointments, quickly difappear- ed; and foon made room for others, to which new comers, in order to diftinguifh themfelves, attributed the fame effects. Sometimes it was a new plant, decorated with ancient virtues : fometimes old plants, under new names, fufficed to enrich new quacks. ‘Thete plants had a different vul- gar name in every province, and they who pointed them out for their drugs, at moft gave them only thofe names by which they were known on the {pot where they lived: x thus, Hot RO D'Ü Ô T tf on. thus, when their recipes travelled into other countries, it was no longer known what plant they fpoke of; every body fubfti- tuted another after his own fancy, without regarding any thing elfe, but giving it the fame name, Such is the whole art that the Myrepfufes, the Hildegardifes, the Suardufes, the Villanovas, and the reft of the doétors of that time, employed in the ftudy of thofe plants which they treat of ; and it would be difficult perhaps for any body to know one of them by the names or defcriptions which they have given them*. At the revival of learning, every thing difappeared to make room for the works of antiquity ; nothing was then either good or true but what was to be found in Arif- totle or Galen. Inftead of fearching for plants where they grew, men ftudied them only in Pliny and Diofcorides ; and there is nothing fo frequent in the authors of thofe 2 Myrepfus’s book is entitled Antidstarium parvum. Hildegardis was a lady and an abbefs ; fhe flourifhed about 1180, and wrote, among others, a treatife entitled Phyfica Leguminum, Fructuum, Herbarum, &c. Suar- dus’s book is intitled Antidotarium, and was printed at Venice 1551 fol.—Arnoldus de Villanova put together Regimen Sanitatis Salerni, printed in 1482, 1484, 1490, 1491, 1493, 1505, 1509, &c. and was author of many - other medical and medico-botanical works. He is faid to have died in 1313.—But the moft popular of thefe old works, was Hortus Sanitatis, afcribed to Cuba. See Pulteney’s Sketches of the Progrefs of Botanyin England, chap. iv. B 2 times, MNTRODUCTTOIN times, as to find them denying the exift- ence of a plant, for no other reafon but be- caufe Diofcorides has not mentioned it. Thefe learned plants however muft be found in nature, in order to make ufe of them according to the precepts of their matter. They beftirred themtelves there- fore, they fet themfelves to fearch, to ob- ferve, to conjecture; and made every ef- fort to find, in the plant which they chofe, the characters defcribed in their author; and fince tranflators, commentators, and practitioners, feldom agreed in their choice, twenty names were given to the fame plant ; and the fame name to twenty plants ; every man maintaining that his own was the true one, and that all the reft, not be- ing that of Diofcorides, ought to be pro- {cribed. From this conflict indeed it fol- lowed at length that more careful refearches were made, and fome good obfervations, which deferved not to be forgotten ; but at the fame time fuch a chaos of nomenclature, that the Phyficians and Herbarifts no longer underftood each other: there was no pof- fibility of communicating their mutual lights ; nothing remained but difputes upon woids and names; and even every ufeful enquiry and defcription was loft, for want of being able to decide what plant each au- thor had {poken of. Real botanifts however began to be form- ed: fuch as Clufius, Cordus, Czefalpipus, Gef- INTRODUCTION. Gefner’; good and inftruétive books on this fubje& began to be publithed, in which already appeared fome traces of method *. And it has certainly been a lofs that thefe pieces have become ufelefs and unintelligi- ble by the mere difcordance of names *. But thefe authors, beginning to unite fpe- cies and feparate genera, according to their own manner of obferving the habit and apparent ftructure, occafioned new incon- veniences, anda frefh obfcurity ; becaufe each author, regulating his nomenclature by his own method, created new genera, bIf we follow the order of birth, the arrangement fhould have been Cordus 1515, Gefner 1516, Cæfalpi- nus 1519, Clufius 1526: if we range them from the dates of their publications, the fhould ftand thus— Cordus 1535, Gefner 1540, Clufius 1557, Cæfalpinus 3: € Indeed! fome traces only of method in the cele- brated work of Cæfalpinus ! He who firft invented a complete arrangement of plants, and ftands unrivalled as the father of method! He to whom every fucceed- ing fyftem-monger owes fo many obligations! Though among them all Ray alone confefles it, What Rouf- feau affirms is true only of the excellent, the illuftrious Gefner ; the other two thought nothing of arrange- ment: No, nor the Bauhins, nor any other, till Mori- fon and Ray. “If Rouffeau means to fpeak here concerning the works of the forementioned authors, this is not true. The treatifes of Gefner and Clufius are every where re- ferred to, even by Linnaeus, and confequently their no menclature is well known. ‘The principal work of Va- lerius Cordus is Gefner’s Hiftory of Plants, which he publifhed in 1561. Cæfalpinus’s book is now become rather a matter of refpectable curiofity than ufe, By or ToD Ue fd ON: or feparated old ones, as the charatters of his own required. So that genera and fpe- cies were fo jumbled together, as to leave fearcely any plant without as many names as there were authors who defcribed it; which made the ftudy of the nomencla- ture as tedious as that of the plants them- felves, and frequently more difficult. At length the two illuftrious brothers appeared ; who alone have done more for the advancement of Botany than all the reft together who preceded, and even fol- lowed them, till Tournefort. Rare geni- ufes! whofe vaft knowledge and folid la- bours, confecrated to Botany, render them worthy of that immortality which they have acquired. For, till this part of na- tural hiftory falls into oblivion, the names of John and Cafpar Bauhin will live along with it inthe memory of mankind‘. Each of thefe men undertook an uni- verfal hiftory of plants: but what more immediately relates to our prefent purpofe is, that they each of them undertook to join to it a Synonymy, or exact lift of the names that every plant bore in all the writ- ers which preceded them. This labour was become abfolutely neceflary to enable us to reap any advantage from their obferva- € John the elder was born at Lyon, in 1541, and died in 1613. . Cafpar was not born till 1560, and died in 1624. tions 5 TONER OD CT TON tions; for without that, it was almoft im- poflible to follow and diftinguith every plant among fo many names. The eldeft almoft completed this under- taking in three volumes in folio, printed af- ter his death; and he has given fuch juft defcriptions of the plants, that we are rarely deceived in his fynonyms ‘. The brother’s plan was yet more exten- five, as appears by the firft volume which he publifhed, and from which we may judge of the immenfity of the whole work, if he had found time to execute it5; but, ex- cepting this volume, we have no more than the titles of the reit in his pinax *; and this pinax, the produce of forty years labour, is {till the guide to all thofe who ftudy F Chabræus was the editor, and Francis Louis de Graffenried, of Bern, was at the expence of the publi- cation. This work derives no excellence from the pa- per or print. The plates are {mall and poorly execut- ed; they belonged to Fuchlus, and were purchafed by the bookfeller for this purpofe ; the editor has not un- frequently put them in wrong places. John Bauhin’s Hiftory however has great intrinfic excellence, for the number of plants well defcribed, and a judicious compi- lation of whatever had been done before his time. It is entitled Hiftoria Plantarum Univerfalis Auétore Johanne Bauhino Archiatro, &c. Ebrod. 1651.” ® Theatri Botanici, pars I. Bafil. 1658 and 1663, fol. » Pinax Theatrici Botanici five index in Theophraf- ti, Diofcoridis, Plinii & botanicorum, qui a feculo {crip- ferunt, opera, plantarum circiter 6000. nomina cum fy- nonymiis & differentiis. Opus XL annorum. Bafil. 3623 & 1671. 4to. B4 this IN TR O D,U-C T-I O:N: this fubjeét and wifh to confult ancient au-' thors’. The nomenclature of the Bauhins being formed only from the titles of their chap- ters, and thefe titles ufually comprifing {e- veral words, hence came the cufiom of giv- ing, as the names of plants, long ambi- guous phrafes; which made this nomen- clature not only tedious and embarrafling, but pedantic and ridiculous. I own there might have been fome advantage in this, provided their phrafes had been better con ftruéted ; but being compofed indifferently of the names of places whence the plants came, of perfons who fent them, and even of other plants to which they fancied them to bear fome fimilitude ; thefe phrafes were fources of new embarrafiment and frefh i The judicious, the indefatigable Haller, from whofe judgment there lies no appeal, fays of Cafpar Bauhin, that he emulated his elder brother in Botany, that he was laborious in colleéting, and knew a greater number of plants, being more enriched with them by his fcho- lars and friends, but that his judgment was lefs aeute ; that he admitted too many varieties for fpecies; that he has repeated the fame plant under different names; that he was lefs accurate than his brother in his defcrip- tions, lefs acquainted with the natural clafles, and unfor- tunate, as well as himfelf, in being obliged to divide his time between Anatomy and Botany. Bibl. Botan. I. 5284800 r Haller fays alfo of this par nobile fratrum that for their unwearied diligence they well deferved to lead the way ina new age of Botany; and accordingly he puts them at the head of the Calleétores in his fixth book. doubts, INTRODUCTION. doubts, becaufe the knowledge of one plant required that of feveral others to which the phrafe referred, and whofe names were not better determined than its own. In the mean time diftant voyages were inceflantly enriching Botany with new treafures; and, whilft the old names al-. ready overloaded the memory, it was ne- ceflary to invent new ones, for the new plants that were difcovered. Loft in this immenfe labyrinth, the botanifts were ob- liged to feek a thread to extricate them- felves from it; they attached themfelves therefore at laft ferioufly to method; Her- man, Rivinus, Ray“, feverally propofed their own; but the immortal Tournefort carried away the prize from them all’; he firft ranged the whole vegetable kingdom fyftematically™; and, reforming the no- menclature in part, combined it by his new k The order fhould have been Ray, Herman, Rivinus. Ray publifhed his firft work in 1660, his method in 1682, and even drew up tables for Bifhop Wilkins in 1667, which were printed in the year following. Herman be- gan to write in 1687, and printed his method in 1690. Rivinus publifhed the firft part of his method in 1690. Morifoñ had before publifhed his in 1669. ~ ! Tournefort firft publifhed his fyftem in 1697 : it was fpecious, and generally fafhionable, till Linnæus’s fuper- feded it: the plates of generic characters are excellent. ™ How far this is true may be feen in note (k). Tour- nefort’s however may be faid to have been the firft com- plete regular arrangement; though how it could ever be ufed to good purpofe, without any charaCters or defcrip- tions of the fpecies, 1 do not underftand. a 7 , genera . ao LE EE RYOTE TO Ne genera with that of Cafpar Bauhin: but, far from freeing it of its long phrafes, he either added new ones, or loaded the old ones with additions, which his method obliged him to make. The barbarous cuf- tom was then introduced of tagging new names to the old ones by a contradictory qui qua quod, making of the fame plant two diftinét genera. For inftance—‘ Dens Leonis gu: Pilo- € fella folio minus villofo. Doria gue Ja- © cobcea orientalis limonii folio. ‘Titanos ‘ keratophyton god Lythophyton mari- ¢ num albicans.’ Thus was the nomenclature loaded. The names of the plants became not only phrafes but periods. I fhall cite one of Plukenet’s, to, prove that I do not exag- gerate. ‘* Gramen myloicophorum caro- ‘€ Jinianum feu gramen altiflimum, pani- “* cula maxima fpeciofa, e {picis majoribus “ comprefliufculis utrinque pinnatis blat- - ‘ tam molendariam quodam modo referen- ‘6 tibus, compofita, foliis convolutis mu- ‘6 cronatis pungentibus.” A/mag 137%. It would have been all over with Bo- tany, if this practice had continued; the nomenclature being now abfolutely infup- portable, could no longer fubfift in this fiate; and it was become neceflary either that a reformation fhould be made, or that * See Linnæus’s Critica, and Philofophia Botanica. the YN ROD se Tet ON. the richeft, the moft lovely, and the eafieft of the three parts of Natural Hiftory fhouid be abandoned. At length Linnæus, full of his fyftem, and the vaft ideas which it fuggeited to him, formed the projet of new-moulding the whole; a tafk which every body felt the neceflity of, but no one dared to un- dertake. He did more, he executed it; and, having prepared in his Critica Botanica the rules by which it ought to be con- ducted, he determined the genera of plants in his Genera Plantarum, and afterwards the fpecies in his Species Plantarum?; in fuch a manner, that, by keeping all the old names that agreed with thefe new rules, and new cafting all the reft, he eftablifhed at length a clear nomenclature, founded upon the true principles of the art which he had fet forth. He preferved all the an- cient genera which were truly natural; he corrected, fimplified, united, or divided, the reft as their true characters required. And in forming his names he followed, fometimes even fomewhat too feverely, the rules which he had laid down. ° The firft fketch of Linnæus’s fyftem was publifhed in 17353 the laft edition of Syftema Vegetabilium in 1784; the Critica Botanica in 1737: the firft edition of the Genera the fame year, and the laft in 1764: the firft edition of the fpecies in 1753, the fecond in 3762 and 1763. See Dr. Pulteney’s excellent account ef the writings of Linnæus. With B iy | 32 INTRODUCTA ON, With refpeét to the fBecies, defcriptions: and diftinétions were neceflary to determine, them; phrafes therefore remained always indifpenfable; but, by confining himfelf to a {mall number of technical words, well chofen and well adapted, he made good fhort definitions deduced from the true cha- racter of the plant, banifhing rigoroufly all that was foreign to it. For this it was ne« ceflary to create a new language for Bo- tany, that would {pare the long periphrafes of the old defcriptions. Complaint has been made that the words of this language are not all to be found in Cicero. This com- plant would be reafonable, had Cicero written a complete treatife of Botany. Thofe words however are all either Greek or Latin, exprefhve, fhort, fonorous, and even form elegant conftructions by their extreme precifion. It is in the conftant practice of the art, that we feel all the advantage of this new language, which is as convenient and neceflary for Botanifts, as that of algebra is for mathematicians. Hitherto Linnæus had indeed deter- mined the greateft part of known plants, but he had not named them; for defining a thing is not naming it: a phrafe can never be a true name, nor can it come into common ufe. He provided againft this de- fe& by the invention of trivial names?, which ® Thefe fpecific or trivial names appear firft in the | Pan INTRODUCTION, which he joined to the generical ones in order to diftinguifh the fpecies. By this contrivance the name of every plant is com- pofed only of two words, which alone, when chofen with difcernment, and applied with propriety, often make the plant better known than the long phrafes of Micheli and Plukenet. To be ftill better and more regularly acquainted with it, there is the phrafe, which doubtlefs muft be known, but need not be repeated every time we have occafion to fpeak of the object. Nothing is more pedantic or ridiculous, when a woman, or one of thofe men who refemble women, are afking you the name of an herb or a flower in a garden, than to be under the neceflity of anfwering by a long file of Latin words that have the ap- pearance of a magical incantation; an in- ‘convenience fufficient to deter fuch frivo- lous perfons from a charming ftudy offered with fo pedantic an apparatus. However neceflary or advantageous this reform might be, nothing lefs was wanting than Linnæus’s profound knowledge to execute it with fuccefs, and the reputation of this great naturalift to make it be uni- verfally adopted. It met with refiftance at firft, and meets with it ftill, ‘This could not be otherwife; his rivals in the fame Pan Suecicus of 1749; but they were brought to perfec- tion in the firft edition of the Species Plantarum, pub- lifhed four years after. Career 49 14 MR O0 DCR 1 ON career look upon this adoption as a confef- fion of inferiority which they do not like to make; his nomenclature feemed fo much of a piece with his fyftem, that they could not well be feparated. And botanifts of the higher order, who think themfelves obliged through pride not to adopt the fyftem of any other, but each man to have his own, will not facrifice their pretenfions to the progrefs of an art for which the profeflors have rarely a difinterefted fondnefs. National jealoufies alfo oppofe the ad- miffion of a foreign fyftem. People think themfelves obliged to fupport the famous men of their own country, efpecially after their death; for even that felf-love, which made them icarcely bear their fuperiority whilft they were alive, is honoured by their glory after they are departed. The great convenience however of this new nomenclature, and the utility of it, which praéticehas made known, have caufed it to be adopted almoft univerfally throughout Europe, fooner ar later, and even at Paris M. de fuflieu has eftablifhed it in the royal garden; thus preferring public utility to the glory of new-moulding the whole, which the method of natural families, invented by his illufirious uncle, feemed to require’. Not s The royal garden however is certainly arranged by M. de Juffieu’s natural method ; which was publifhed in 1789, under the title of Gexera Plantarum, os + ore igs RNATIRIO DU CTION. Not that the nomenclature of Linnzus is without its faults, or gives no handle to criticifm ; but, till a more perfect one fhall be found, in which nothing is wanting, it is far better to adopt this than to have none, or to fall again into the phrafes of Tourne- fort or Cafpar Bauhin. Ican even fcarcely believe that a better nomenclature will in future have fuccefs enough to profcribe this, to which the botanifts of Europe are at prefent fo wholly accuftomed ; and, hav- ing now the double tie of habit and conve- nience, they will renounce it with ftill more unwillingnefs than they found in adopting it. In order to bring about {uch a change, an author muft be found with credit enough to efface that of Linnzus; one to whofe authority all Europe would be willing a {e- cond time to fubmit ; which appears to me not likely to happen. For if his fyftem', however excellent it may be, fhould be adopted by one nation only, it would throw Botany into a new labyrinth, and do it More injury than fervice. Even the labour of Linnæus, though im- mente, remains ftill imperfect, inafmuch as dines naturales difpofita, juxta methodum in horto regio Pa- rifienft exaratam, anno 1774. * He fhould rather have faid nomenclature or language. It is of no great importance what fyftem we adopt, fo that we all agree to talk the fame language. ‘That of Linnzus will probably ftand the teft of ages, whatever may become of the fexual fyftem, it T5 16 INTRODUCTION. it does not comprehend all known plants, and is not adopted by all botanifts without exception ; for the writings of fuch as do not {ubmit to it, require from their readers the fame labour to fettle the fynonyms, as they were forced to take for thofe which preceded it. We are obliged to Mr. Crantz, not- withftanding his rage againft Linnæus, for having adopted his nomenclature, though he rejected his fyftem. But Haller, in his large and excellent work on the Swifs plants*, rejects both; and Adanfon does more; for he makes an entire new no- menclature, and furnifhes no information whereby we may refer it to Linnæus’s. Haller always quotes the genus, and fre- quently the fpecific charaéters of Linnæus, but Adanfon never quotes either. Haller attaches himfelf to an exaét fynonymy, by which, even when he does not add Lin- “nzeus’s enunciation of the fpecies, we may find it at leaft indire&tly by the relation of the fynonyms. But Linnzus and his books are abfolutely null and void for M. Adanfon and his readers, becaufe the latter gives no information whereby we may con- nect them. So that we are compelled to choofe between Linnæus and M. Adanfon, * Alberti v. Haller Hiftoria Stirpium Indigenarum Helvetia inchoata. Berna 1768 folio, in three vo- lumes. whe TNT R-O' DUC T I O N. who excludes him without mercy; and to throw all the works of one of them into the fire. Orelfe we muft undertake a new work, which will be neither fhort nor eafy, to connect thefe nomenclatures, which of- fer us no point of union. Linnzus indeed has not given a com- plete fynonymy. For plants known long fince, he has contented himfelf with quot- ing the Bauhins and Clufius, with a figure of each plant. For exotic plants lately “dif covered, he has cited one or two modern authors and the figures of Rheed, Rum- phius and fome others, and has gone no farther. His undertaking did ete requiie of him a more extended “compilation, and it is fufficient that he has given one cer- tain information with regard” to every plant which he names‘. ‘Such is the prefent ftate of things. Now after this account of it, I would afk every reader of common fenfe, how it is poflible to attach one’s felf to the ftudy of plants, and at the fame time to reject that of the nomenclature? It is juft as if a man would make himfelf fkilful in a language, with a determination not to learn the words of it. The names, it is true, are arbitrary, the knowledge of plants has no neceflary connexion with the nomencla- * Rouffeau means to fpeak here of the Species Planta- rum, and what he fays is in general true of that. But in his Flora Lapponica, Suecica, &c. he has given a much more extenfive fynonymy. ture; 15 INTRODUCTION. ture; and it is eafy to conceive that an in- telligent man might be an excellent bota- nift, “without knowing a fingle plant by its name. But that one man “alone, without books or any affiftance from communicated information, fhould become of himfelf even a very moderate botanift, is a ridiculous affertion to make, and an enterprife impof- fible to execute. The queftion is, whether three hundred years of ftudy and obferva- tion fhould be loft to Botany, whether three hundred volumes of figures and de- {criptions fhould be thrown into the fire, whether the knowledge acquired by all the learned, who have confecrated their purie, their ‘ct their time, to diftant, expenfive, painful, and dangerous expeditions, fhould be ufelefs to their fucceflors, and whether every one fetting out from nothing, could arrive by himfelf at the. fame knowledge, that a long feries of enquiry and ftudy has {pread over the mafs of mankind? If not, and if the moft lovely part of natural if. tory merit the attention of the curious, let them tell me how we {hall manage to make ufe of the knowledge here- tofore acquired, if we do not begin by learning the language of the writers, and knowing to what objects the names em- ployed by them belong. ‘To admit there- fore the ftudy of botany, and to reject that of the nomenclature, is a moft abfurd con- tradiction. | LETTERS Les MT BipnsdBeved R S ON THE oh EM DIN: TS OF ist Paes Es Avo AN 102. Mig #10 A LADY. LET TER: dA f @N THE FRUCTIFICATION AND LILIACEOUS PLANTS» Dated the 22d of Auguf, Tyas! THINK your idea of amufing the vivacity of your daughter a little, and exercifing her attention upon fuch agree- able and varied objects as plants, is excel- lent; though I fhould not have ventured to play the pedant fo far as to propofe it of myfelf. Since however it comes from you, I approve it with all my heart, and will even affift you in it; convinced, ‘that at all times of life, the ftudy of nature abates the tafte for frivolous amufements, prevents the tumult of the paffions, and provides the mind with a nourifhment which is fa- lutary, by filling it with an object moft worthy of its contemplations. C2 You 20 LETTER UY. You have begun with teaching your daughter the names of the common 7 plants which you have about you; this was the very thing you fhould have done. The few plants which fhe knows by fight are fo many points of comparifon for “her to extend her knowledge: but they are, not fufficient. You defire to have a little ca- talogue of the moft common plants, with the marks by which they may be known. I find fome difficulty in doing this for you: that is, in giving you thefe marks or cha- racters in writing, after a manner that is clear, and at ie fame time not diffufe. This feems impoflible without ufing the language peculiar to the fubje&t, and the terms of that language form a vocabulary apart which you cannot underftand unleis it be previoufly explained to you. Befides, merely to be acquainted with plants by fight, and to know only their names, cannot but be too infipid a ftudy for a genius like yours; and it may be pre- fumed that your daughter would not be long amufed with it. I propofe that you thould have fome preliminary notions of the vegetable ftruéture or organization of plants, in order that you may get fome real information, though you were to take only a few fteps, into the moft beautiful, and the richeit of the three kingdoms of na- ture. We have nothing theréfore to do yet with the nomenclature, which is but the FRUCTIFWICATION. the knowledge of a herbarift. I have always thought it poflible to be a very great botanift without knowing fo much as one plant by name; and, without wifh- . ing to make your daughter a very great botanitt, I think neverthelefs that it Swill always be ufeful to her to learn how to fee, whatever fhe looks at, well. Do not however be terrified at the undertaking: you will foon know that it is not a great one. ‘There is nothing either complicated or difficult in what I have to propofe ta you. Nothing is required but to have patience to begin with the beginning. Af- ter that, you may go on no farther than you choofe, Weare now getting towards the latter feafon, and thofe plants which are the moft fimple ; in their {tructure are already pañt. Befides, I expect you will take fome time to make your obfervations a little regu- larly. However in the mean while, till {pring puts you in a fituation to begin and follow the order of nature, I am going to give you a few words of the vocabulary to cet by heart. A perfect plant is compofed of a root, of a ftem with its branches, of leaves, flower, and fruit, (for in Botany, by fruit, in herbs as well as in trees, we nd the whole fabric of the feed.) You know the whole of this already, at leaft enough to underftand the term; but there is a prin- C 5 cipal” ai . 22 Lily. LETTER If. cipal part which requires an examination more at large ; I mean the fr#é/fication, that is, the fower and the fruit. Let us begin with the flower, which comes firft. In. this part nature has inclofed the fummary of her work; by this fhe perpetuates it, and this alfo is commonly the moft bril- liant of all parts of the vegetable, and always leaft liable to variations. Take a lily*: I believe you will eafily find it ftillin full flower. Before it opens, you fee at the top of the ftem an oblong greenifh bud, which grows whiter the nearer it is to opening; and when it 1s quite open, you perceive that the white cover takes the form of a bafin or vafe divided into feveral fegments. This is ealled the coro//la, and not the flower, as it is by the vulgar, becaufe the flower is a compofition of feveral parts, of which the corolla is only the principal. The corolla of the lily is not of one piece, as you eafily fee. When it withers and falls, it feparates into fix diftiné pieces, which are called peta/s. ‘Thus the corolla of the lily is compofed of fix petals. A corolla, confifting of feveral piecés like this, is called a polypetalous corolla. If it a Lilium candidum of Linnæus, (Pl. 1.) or any of its congeners, (fee L. chalcedonicum & bulbiferum, figured, in Curtis’: Magazine, 30 and 36.) or almoft any of the tribe of thefe which are called /iliaceous flowers, and are, for the greater part, eminently beautiful. As Amaryllis Jormofiffima. Curt. Mag. 47. 8 | were LILIACEOUS PLANTS. . were all of one piece, like the bell-flower® or bind-weeds‘, it would be called monope- falous. But to return to our lily. You will find exaétly in the middle of the corolla a fort of little column rifing from the bottom, and pointing dire€tly up- wards. ‘This, taken in its whole, is called the pr/f1l or porntal: taken in its parts, it is divided into three; 1, the {wollen bafe, with three blunted angles, called the germ or ovary; 2, a thread placed upon this, called the fyle; 3, the ftyle crowned by a fort of capital with three notches: this capital is called the fygma. Between the piftil and the corolla you find fix other bodies entirely feparate from ‘each other, which are called the famens. Each ftamen is compofed of two parts, one long and thin, by which it is faftened to the bottom of the corolla, and called the flament; the other thicker, placed at the top of the filament, and called anthera or an- tber Each anther is a box which opens when it is ripe, and throws out a yellow duft, which has a ftrong fmell: this is called pollen or farina. ® Campanula rotundifolia Linnei. € Convolvulus fepium (PI. 12. f. 3.) & arvenfis, &c. Linnai. * The old Englifh name of anthera is /#mmit ; Grew called it femet.—The ftigma has alfo been named fibula - C 4 Such 24 LET TER. Te Such is the general analyfis of the parts which conftitute a flower. As the corolla fades and falls, the germ increafes, and be- comes an oblong triangular capfule, within which are flat feeds in three cells. This capfule, confidered as the cover of the feeds, takes the name of pericarp. The parts here mentioned are found in the flowers of moft other plants, but in different proportion, fituation, and number. By the analogy of thefe parts, and their different combinations, the families of the vegetable kingdom are determined: and thefe analogies are connected with others in thofe parts of the plant which feem to have no relation to them. For inftance, this number of fix ftamens, fometimes only three, of fix petals or divifions of the corolla, and that triangular form, of the germ, with its three cells, determine the liliaceous tribe ; and in all this tribe, which is very numerous, the roots are bu/és of fome fort or other, That of the lily is /guamous, or compofed of fcales ; in the afphodel, it is a number of oblong folid bulbs conneéted together® ; in the crocus and faffron there are two bulbs, one over the other; in the colchicum ‘ they are placed fide by fide ¢. The * As in the peony, potatoe, &c. Thefe are called by fome tuberous roots. f Or meadow faffron. £ -& He might have added that fome of thefe bulbs are folid LILIACEOUS PLANTS, The lily, which I have chofen becaufe it is in feafon ; and alfo on account of the ze of the flower and its other parts, is de- ficient however in one of the conftituent parts of a perfect flower, namely the calyx, which is that outer green part of the flower ufually divided into five parts or compofed of five {mall leaves; fuftaining and embrac- ing the corolla at the bottom, and enve- loping it entirely before it opens, as you may have remarked inthe rofe. The calyx which accompanies almoft all other flowers, is wanting in the greater part of the lilia- ceous tribe; as the tulip, the hyacinth, the narciflus, the tuberofe, &c. and even in the onion, leek, garlic, &c. which are alfo lilia- ceous, though they appear very different at firft fight. You will perceive alfo that in this whole tribe the ftems are fimple and unbranched, the leaves entire, and never cut or divided: obfervations which confirm the analogy of the flower and fruit in this family, by that of the other parts of the plants. If you beftow fome attention upon thefe particulars, and make them familiar to you by frequent obfervations, you are al- ready in a condition to determine, by anat- folid like the turnip; others compofed of coats, one over another, as inthe onion, Linnzus does not allow them to be roots; and indeed it is only their being under- ground that led former Botanifts to call them fo. He names them Aybernacula, winter gems or buds, into which the whole plant retires during the cold feafon. tentive #3 26 LET FER + tentive and continued infpection of a plant, whether it be of the liliaceous tribe or not ; and this without knowing the name of the plant. You fee that this is not a mere labour of the memory, but a ftudy of ob. fervations and facts truly worthy of a na- turalifti. You will not begin by telling your daughter all this at once; and you will be even more cautious, when in the fequel you fhall be initiated in the myfteries of vegetation; but you will unveil to her by degrees no more than is fuitable to her age and fex, by direé&tins her how to find out things of herfelf, rather than by teach- ing her. Adieu, my dear coufin ; if all this trafh be agreeable to you, lam at your fervice. | If it fhould happen to be fpring when the reader takes up this letter, he may examine the fnow-drop, cro- cus, daffodil, narciflus, crown imperial, tulip, lily of the valley, hyacinth, &c. always taking care, in the garden, to avoid double flowers. See Letter II. i Botany is frequently, but we fee here how unjuftly, reprefented as a fcience which depends wholly upon the memory, as if it were nothing but to get the names of ten thoufand plants by heart. * Rouffeau takes every occafion to inculcate this fun- damental leflon of education ; and indeed it cannot be inculcated too often. See Letter V, LET LER TO eo ie. à ON CRUCIFORM FLOWERS, The 18th of O&ober, 1771, MINCE you underftand fo well, my dear coufin, the firft lineaments aa plants, though fo flightly marked, as to be able already to diftinguifh the liliaceous family by their air ; And fince our little botanift amufes herfelf with corollas and petals, I am going to fet before you another tribe, upon which fhe may again exercife her little knowledge; with rather more diffi- culty I own, becaufe the flowers are much fmaller, and the foliage more varied, but with the fame pleafure both on her fide and on yours ; at leaft if you have as much de- light in following this flowery path as I find in tracing it out to you. When the firft rays of fpring fhall have enlightened your progrefs, by fhewing you in the gardens hyacinths, tulips, narciflufes, jonquils, and lilies of the valley, the analyfis of all which isalready known to you, other flowers will foon catch your attention, and require of you a new examination ; fuch are ftocks' and rockets™. Whenever you find 1 Cheiranthus incanus Linnzi. Plate 2. ™ Hefperis matronalis Linnæi.—Or if thefe are not at hand, wall-flowers, cabbage, turnip, cole-feed, muf tard, charlock, radifh, &c. them Stock. TET TER VIT. them double, do not meddle with them, they are disfigured ; or, if you pleafe, drefled after our fafhion : nature will no longer be found among them; fhe refufes to reproduce any thing from monfters thus mutilated: for if the moft brilliant part of the flower, name- ly the corolla, be multiplied, it is at the ex- pence of the more effential parts, which — difappear under this addition of brilliancy. Take then a fingle ftock gilliflower, or ftock, as it is vulgarly called, and proceed to the analyfis of the flower: you will per- ceive immediately an exterior part, which was wanting in the liliaceous flowers, namely the calyx, This confifts of four pieces, which we mutt call leaves, leaflets or folioles, having no proper names to ex- prefs them by, as we have that of petals for the pieces which compofe the corolla. Thefe four pieces are commonly unequal _by pairs; that is, there are two leaflets op- pofite and equal, of a fmaller fize, and twa others alfo oppofite and equal, but larger, efpecially towards the bottom, where they are fo rounded, as to exhibit a very fenfible protuberance or bump on the outfide, In this calyx you will find acorolla com- pofed of four petals. I fay nothing of their colour, becaufe that makes no part of their character. Each of thefe petals is faftened to the receptacle, or bottom of the calyx, by a narrow pale part, which is called ##- guis, or the çlaw of the petal, and this 3 {preads CRUCIFORM FLOWERS. fpreads out over the top of the calyx into a large, flat, coloured part, called Janna, or the border”. : : In the centre of the corolla is one piftil, long and cylindric, or nearly fo; chiefly compofed of a germ ending in a very fhort ftyle, and that terminated by an oblong ftigma, which is #fd, that is to fay, divided into two parts, which are reflex on each fide. If you examine carefully the refpeétive -pofition of the calyx and corolla, you will fee that each petal, inftead of correfponding exactly to each leaflet of the calyx, is, on the contrary, placed between two; fo that it anfwers to the opening which feparates them ; and this alternate pofition has place in all flowers which have as many petals to the corolla as leaflets to the calyx. It remains now to {peak of the ftamens. You will find fix of them in the flower of the ftock, as in the liliaceous flowers, but not all equal, or elfe alternately unequal, as in thofe ; but you will perceive two op- pofite to each other, fenfibly fhorter than the other four which feparate them, and which are alfo feparate from each other in pairs. "I wonder that Rouffeau fays nothing of the regular ftruGture of this corolla, the petals generally ftanding wide from each other, and forming a figure fomething like the crofs of the order of St. Louis, whence thefe corollas are called cruciform, or crofs foaped. J fhall “29 35° LE*TER ri. T fhall not enter here into a detail of their ftructure and pofition : but I give you notice that, if you look carefully, you will find the reafon why thefe two ftamens are fhorter than the other four, and why two leaflets of the calyx are more protuberant, or, as the botanifts fpeak, more gibbous, and the other two more flatted. To finifh the hiftory of our ftock; you muft not abandon it as foon as you have analyfed the flower, but wait till the co- rolla withers and falls, which it does pretty foon ;' and then remark what becomes of the piftil, compofed, as we obferved before, oe germ, the ftyle, and the ftigma. e germ grows confiderably in length, and thickens a little as the fruit ripens. When it is ripe, it becomes a kind of flat pod, called f/que. This filique is compofed of two valves, each covering a {mall cell: and the cells are feparated by a thin partition. When the feed is ripe, the valves open from the bottom upwards to give it paflage, and re- main faft to the ftigma at top. Then you may fee the flat round feeds ranged along each fide of the partition; and you will find that they are faftened alternately to right and left by a fhort pedicle to the fu- tures, or each edge of the partition. I am very much afraid, my dear coufin, that I have fatigued you a little with this long defcription ; but it was neceflary to give you the effential character of the nu- merous CRUCIFORM FLOWERS. merous tribe of cruciform flowers °, which forms an entire clafs in almoft all the fyftems of botanifts: and I hope that this defcription, which is difficult to underftand here without a figure, will become more intellicible, “re you fhall have gone through it with fome attention, having at the fame time the object before your eyes. The great number of fpecies in this clafs? has determined botanifts to divide it into two feétions, in which the flowers are perfectly alike, but the fruits, pericarps, or feed-veffels, are fenfibly different. The firft order comprehends the cruci- form flowers witha filique, or pod, fuch as the ftock, thofe mentioned in note (m), and the like. The fecond contains thofe whofe feed- veffel is a cle, that is, a {mall and very fhort pod, almoit as wide as it is long, and differently divided within; as whitlow- grafs, mithridate-muftard, baftard-crefs, Ke. in the fields ; and feurvy-grafs, horfe- radifh, candy-tuft, honefty, &c. in the gar- dens: though the feed-veflel of the lait is very. large, his {till a filicle, becaufe the length exceeds the breadth very little. If none of thefe are known to you, I prefume at leaft that you are acquainted with the * See note (n). P 287 Species, In the 17th clafs, diadelphia, or two brotherhoods, 695, and in the 19th fyngenefia, 1247 fpecies. “Thefe numbers, here and in the fequel, are given from the 14th edition of ee eg ee o Chevalier Murray. Shepherd s- 31 32 Pir Tee RY AT: Soepherd’s-purfe’, which is fo common 4 weed in kitchen gardens. Well then, cou- fin, this fhepherd’s-purfe is of the cruciform tribe and f/cle branch of it, and the form of the filicle is triangular". By this you may form fome idea of the reft till they fall into your hands. But it is time to let you breathe; I will only therefore give you a hint at prefent that in this clafs, and many others, you will often find flowers much fmaller than thofe of the ftock, and fometimes fo {mall that you cannot examine their parts with- out the afliftance of a glafs*; an inftrument which a botanift cannot do without, any more than he can without a needle, a lancet, or penknife, and a pair of good - {cifflars. Prefuming that your maternal zeal may carry you thus far, I fancy to myfelf a charming picture of my beautiful coufin bufy with her glafs examining heaps of flowers, a hundred times lefs flourifhing, lefs frefh, and lefs agreeable than herfelf, Adieu, dear coufin, till the next chapter. 4 F1. Dan.t. 729. Curt. Lond>r.. Ger. 276. r. * The young botanift fhould be advertifed that thefe filicles or little pods differ much in their form: fome are flat, and round or oval ; others are fpherical or fpheroi- dal, (fee pl. 2. k, 1.) and that of fhepherd’s-purfe has a form peculiar to itfelf. Pl. 2.1. * This of the fmallnefs of the parts in many flowers is an objection that every idle novice makes to the Lin- nan fyftem, ever trembling left any thorn or obftacle, be it ever fo minute, fhould occur in the flowery path : the difficulty however will in great meafure vanifh, if he will but have PRE to go regularly on his way. Leet ER I fob TB? EL. OF PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. The 26th of May, 1772. INCE you continue, dear coufin, to purfue, with your daughter, that peace- able and delightful ftudy which fills up thofe voids in our time too often dedicated by others to idlenefs, or fomething worfe, with interefting obfervations on are I will refume the interrupted thread of our vegetable tribes. My intention is to defcribe fix of thefe tribes to you firft, in order to render the general ftructure of the characteriftic parts of plants familiar. You have already had two of them; there are four remaining, which you muft ftill have the patience to go through, and after that, quitting for a time the other branches of that numerous race, and going on to examine the different parts of the fruétification, we fhall manage fo, that without knowing many plants perhaps, you will at leaft never be in a ftrange country among the producer of the vegetable kingdom. But I muft inform you, that if you will take books in hand, and purfue the com- mon Meet with abundance of names, you will have few ideas, thofe which Uo bo 34 PET TER AIT. which you have will be confufed, and you will not follow properly either my fteps or thofe of others; but will have at moft a mere knowledge of words. I am jealous, dear coufin, of being your only guide in this part of Botany. When it is the pro- per time I will point out to you the books that you may coniult. In the mean while have patience to read nothing but in that of nature, and to keep wholly to my letters. Peas ‘ are, at prefent, in full fructifica- tion. Seize the moment to obferve their characters: they are fome of the moft cu- rious that Botany affords. One general divifion of flowers is into regular and irre- gular. The firft are they whofe parts all {pring uniformly from the centre of the flower, and terminate in the circumference of acircle. ‘This uniformity is the reafon why when we view flowers of this kind, we do not diftinguifh an under from an up- per part, nor the right from the left; fuch are the two tribes which we have already ex- amined. But you will fee at firft fight that the flower of the pea is irregular, that you eafily diftinguifh the longer part of the corolla, which fhould be at top, from the fhorter, which fhould be at bottom; and you know very well, when you hold up the flower to the eye, whether it be in its natural fituation or not. Thus in examin- * See Plate 3, which is coloured red, to make the flower more confpicuous. ing PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. ing an irregular flower, whenever we fpeak of the top and the bottom, we fuppofe it to be in its natural fituation. The flowers of this tribe being of a very particular ftru@ture, you muft not only have feveral pea flowers, and difle& them fucceflively, to obferve all their parts one after another, but you muft alfo purfue the progrefs of the fructification from the firft flowering to the maturity of the fruit. Firft you will find a monophyllous calyx; that is, one of an entire piece, ending in five very diftin@ points, the two wider of which are at top, and three narrower at bottom. This calyx bends towards the lower part, as does alfo the peduncle, or little ftalk which fupports “it: this pedun: cle is very fmall and eafily moveable; fo that the flower readily avoids a current of air, and commonly turns its back to the wind and rain. Having examined the calyx, you may pull it off, foas to leave the reft of the flower entire, and then you wil fee plainly that the corolla is polypetaloes. The firft piece is a large petal, covering the others, and occupying the upper part of the corolla ; it is called the /fendard, or banner. We mutt make ufe neither of our eyes nor of common fenfe, if we do not perceive that this petal is defigned to pro- tect the other parts of the flower from the principal injuries of the weather. In tak- D 2 ing 33 BET TER MIT: ing off the ftandard, you will obferve, that it 1s inferted on each fide by a little procefs into the fide-pieces, fo that it cannot be driven out of its place by the wind. The ftandard being taken off, expofes to view thofe two fide-pieces to which it ad- hered ; they are called the wings. In tak- ing thefe off you will find them fill more ftrongly inferted into the remaining part, fo that they cannot be feparated without fome effort. Thefe wings are fcarcely lefs ufeful in protecting the fides of the flower, than the ftandard in covering it. Taking off the wings, you difcover the Jaft piece of the corolla; this is that which covers and defends the centre of the flower, and wraps it up, efpecially underneath, as carefully as the three other petals envelope the upper part and the fides. This laft piece, which, on account of its form, is called the boat or keel, is, as it were, the ftrong-box into which nature has put her treafure, to keep it fafe from the attacks of air and water. When you have well examined this pe- tal, draw it gently downwards, pinching it flightly by the keel or thin edge, for fear of tearing away what it contains. I am certain you will be pleafed with the myf- tery it reveals when the veil is removed. The young fruit involved in the boat or keel, is conftruéted in this manner : a cy- lindric membrane, terminated by ten dif- tinct PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. tinét threads furround the germ, or em- bryo of the legume or pod. Thefe ten threads are fo many filaments, united be- low round the germ, and terminated each by a yellow anther, whofe farina covers the ftigma which terminates the ftyle, or grows along the fide of it: this ftigma, though yellow with the meal which {ticks to it, is eafily diftinguifhed by its figure and fize. ‘Thus do thefe ten filaments form alfo about the germ an interior armour, to preferve it from exterior injuries. If you examine more curioufly, you will find that thefe ten filaments are united into one at the bafe, only in appearance. For in the upper part of this cylinder there is a piece or ftamen which at firft appears to adhere to the reft, but as the flower fades and the fruit increafes, feparates and leaves an opening at top, by which the fruit can extend itfelf by opening and feparating the cylinder gradually ; which otherwife, by comprefling and ftraitening it all round, would impede its growth. If the flower is not fufficiently advanced, you will not «find this ftamen detached from the cylin- der; but put a fine pin or needle into two little holes which you will fee near the re= ceptacle, at the bafe of that ftamen, and you will foon perceive the ftamen with its anther feparate from the nine others, which will continue always to form one body, till at length they fade and dry, when the . D germ 37 LETTER fit. germ becomes a /egume, and has no longer any occafion for them. This /egume is diftinguifhed from the f- lique of the cruciform tribe, by the feeds be- ing faftened to one fide only of the cafe, alternately indeed to each valve of it; but all of them to the fame fide. Vou-will un- derftand this diftinétion perfeétlÿ if you open the pod of a pea and of a ftock at the fame time, taking care only to have them before they are quite ripe, that, wnen the pericarp is opened, the feeds may continue faftened by their proper ligaments to their futures and their valves ". If I have made myfelf well underftood, you will comprehend, dear coufin, what af{tonifhing precautions have been heaped together by nature to bring the embryo @f the pea to maturity; and, above all, to protect it, in the midft of the greateft rains, trom that wet which is fatal to it, without inclofing it in a hard fhell, which would have made it another kind of fruit. The Creator, attentive to the prefervation of all ‘beings, has taken great care to protect the fructification: of plants from attack$ that "In doing this you will alfo perceive that the legume is upilc cular, or has one cell only; whereas you re- member that the filique was faid to be bilocular. And if you take a ripe legume you will find that it opens by the upper future, oppoñte to that to which the feeds are faftened ; whereas the filjque opens from the bottom upwards by both futures. Compare PI. 3. 8. with PI, 20h. may PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. may injure it; but he feems to have dou- bled his attention to thofe which ferve for the nourifhment of man and animals, as does the greater part of the leguminous or pulfe tribe. The provifion for the fruéti- fication of peas is, in different proportions, the fame through this clafs. The flowers have the name of papilionaceaus, from a fancied refemblance of them to the form of a butterfly (paprho) ; they have generally a flandard or banner, two wings, anda boat or keel; that is, fo irregular petals. But in fome genera the boat is divided longitu- dinally into two pieces; and thefe flowers have in reality five petals: others, as clo- ver’, have all their petals united, and though papilionaceous, are however mono- petalous flowers. The papilionaceous or leguminous plants form one of the moft numerous and ufeful tribes. Beans, peas, lucerne, faintfoin, clover, lupins, lentils, tares or vetches, in- digo, liquorice, kidney-beans, all belong to it; the character of the laft is to have “the boat fpirally twifted, which at firft fight might be taken for an accident. There are Fats fome trees belonging to it; among others that which is commonly called aca- cia, but which is not the true acacia”, and many beautiful flowering fhrubs. But of thefe more hereafter. Adie eu, coufin, J with well to every thing that you love, * Trifolium pratenfe Linnei. # Robinia Pfeudacacia Linnea. RUES LETTER 59 40). LAB DORE Rady. OF LABIATE AND PERSONATE FLOWERS. The 19th of June, 1772. ET us talk of plants, my dear coufin, whilft the feafon for obferving them invites us. Your folution of my queftion concerning the ftamens of cruciform flowers 1 perfectly right, and fhows that you have underftood me, or rather attended to me; for you have nothing to do but to attend, in order to underftand. You have accounted very well for the {welling of the two leaflets of the calyx, and the relative fhortnefs of two of the ftamens, in the ftock, by the bending of thefe two fta- mens. One ftep more would have led you to the primary caufe of this ftruéture ; for if you afk once more why thefe ftamens are thus bent, and confequently fhortened, I anfwer that you will find a little gland upon the receptacle, between the ftamen and the germ; and it is this gland which, by throwing the ftamen to a diftance, and forcing it to take a round, neceflarily fhort- ens it. Upon the fame receptacle are two other glands, one at the foot of each pair of longer ftamens ; but being on the outfide of them; between thefe Bamens and the calyx, they do not oblige them to bend, and LABIATE FLOWERS. and therefore do not fhorten them: fo that the two pairs of ftamens ftand higher than the two fingle bent ones ; not becaufe they are longer, but becaufe they are ftraight. Thefe four glands, or at leaft veftiges of them, are more or lefs vifible in almoft all cruciform flowers, and are much more dif- tinct in fome than in the ftock*. If you afk me what the glands are for, I anfwer, that they are one of thofe inftruments de- ftined by nature to unite the vegetable to the animal kingdom, and to make them circulate from one to another. But laying thefe inquiries afide, in which we antici- pate a little too much, let us, for the pre- fent, return to our tribes of plants. The flowers which I have hitherto de- {cribed to you are polypetalous. I ought perhaps to have begun with the regular monopetalous flowers, which have a much more fimple ftruéture, but it was this very fimplicity which difcouraged me. They conftitute rather a great nation than a fingle tribe ; fo that to comprehend them all un- der one common mark, we muit employ characters fo general and fo vague, that whilft we feem to fay fomething, in effect we fcarcely fay any thing. It is better to confine ourfelves within narrower bounds, which we can mark out with more pre- cifion. © * As in arabis turrita, cabbage, muftard, charlock, radifh, &c. | | Among 41 Dead Nettle. LETTER IV. Among the irregular monopetalous flowers, there is a tribe whofe phyfiogno- my is fo marked, that we diftinguifh the members of it eafily by their air. It is that to whofe flowers Linnzus has given the name of rimgenz, becaufe they are cut into two lips, the opening of which, whe- ther natural, or produced by a flight com- preflion by the fingers, gives them the air ofa gaping mouth. This tribe is divided into two branches: one of /abrate or rin- gent flowers, properly fo called’, and the other of per/onate or mafked flowers*: the Latin word perfona fignitying a mafñk. The charaëter common to ali the tribe is not only a monopetalous corolla, cut into two lips, the upper called the cafque or hel- met, the lower, the deard; but alio four fta- mens,. almoft in the fame row, diftinguifh- ed into two pairs, one longer, and the other fhorter. The infpeétion of the objeé it- felf will explain thefe characters better ta you than can be done in writing. Let us begin with the labiate flowers. For an example I fhould willingly give you faze, which is common in almoft all gar- dens: but the fingular ftru€ture of its fta- mens, which has occafioned fome botanifts to feparate it from the aflociates to which it naturally belongs, induces me to look for Y Plate 4. & 1. Be ‘iP late AU 2 a 3 another LABIATE FLOWERS. another inftance* in the white dead-net- tle®; which, notwithftanding its name, has no affinity with nettles, properly {o called, except in the fhape of the leaves. This plant is fo common every where, and con- tinues fo long in flower, that it cannot be difficult for you to find it. Without {topping here to confider the elegant fitua- tion of the flowers“, I will confine my- felf to their ftruture. The white dead- nettle bears a monopetalous labiate co- rolla, with the cafque or upper lip arched in order tocover the reft of the flower, and particularly the ftamens, which keep, all four of them, very clofe under cover of its roof. You will eafily difcern the longer pair and the fhorter pair, and in the midft of them the ftyle, of the fame colour, but diftinguifhed from them by being forked at the end, inftead of bearing an anther like the ftamens. The beard or lower lip bends back, and hangs down, fo as to let you fee the infide of the corolla almoft to the bot- tom. In this genus the lower lip is divided 2 Rofemary, with fome few others not fo well known, mutt alfo be avoided, becaufe there are only two fta- mens to the flower. > Lamium album Linnzi. Curtis If. 45. Pl. 4, Pie © The largenefs of the flowers ao makes it proper for examination; but ifthe fmell fhould be any objec- tion, there is ground-ivy, the other lamiums, betony, hore-hound, baum, felf-heal, baum of gilead, &c. * Called verticillate, length- ~ 43 44 L'ETITER IV. lengthwife in the middle, but that is not general in this tribe. If you pull out the corolla, you will take the ftamens along with it, thefe being faftened by the filaments to that, and not to the receptacle, whereon the piftil only will remain. In examining how the fta- mens are faftened in other flowers, we find them generally attached to the corolla in monopetalous, and to the receptacle, or calyx, in polypetalous flowers: fo that in the latter cafe one may take away the pe- tals without the ftamens. From this ob- fervation we have an elegant, eafy, and pretty certain rule to know whether a co- rolla confifts of one piece or feveral, when it is difficult, as it fometimes is, to be cer- tain of it immediately. The corolla, when pulled off, is open at bottom, becaufe it was faftened to the re- ceptacle, fo as to leave a circular opening by which the piftil and what furrounds it may grow up ‘within the tube. That winch. furrounds the piftil in this dead net- tle, and all the labiate tribe, is the rudi- ment of the fruit, confifting of four em- bryos, which become four feeds that are naked; that is, without any pericarp or covering: the monophyllous calyx divided into five fegments ferving this purpofe, fo that the feeds, when they are ripe, are de- tached, and fall to the ground feparately. This is the charaëter of the labiate flowers. The PERSONATE FLOWERS The other branch or fection; which is that of the perfonate flowers, is diftin- guifhed from the former; firft in having the two lips not ufually open, or gaping, but clofed and joined*, as you may fee in the fnap-dragon', a flower not uncommon in gardens; of for want of that, in the toad-flax, a yellow flower with a fpur, fo common in thé country at this feafons. But a more precife and certain character is, that inftead of having four naked feeds at the bottom. of the calyx, like the labiate flowers, thefe have a capfule or cafe inclof- ing the feeds, and not opening till they are ripe, in order to difperfe them. To thefe characters we may add that the greater part of the labiate plants are either {trong fmelling and aromatic, as marjoram, thyme, bafil, mint, hyflop, lavender, &c. or elfe ftrong fmelling and ftinking, as the dead-nettle, hedge-nettle, cat-mint, black horehound*, &c. Some few only having little or no {mell, as bugle, felf-heal, and ¢ There are too many exceptions to this, to form a general character, if under the idea of perfonate flowers we include all the plants in the fecond order of Lin- næus’s 14th clafs, as Rouffeau feems to do. f Antirrhinum majus Linnæi. Mill. fig. t. 42. pl. 4. f. 2. 8 Antirrhinum Linaria Linnæi. Curtis I. 47.—Ie SANTÉ later with us. Moft of the perfonate tribe flower ate. à Here, and in fome other places, I have taken the liberty of putting plants better known among us, inftead of thofe which Rouffeau has given. hooded 45 46 BETTER ! IVe hooded willow herb: whereas moft of the plants with perfonate flowers are not odor- ous, as fnap-dragon, toad-flax, eye-bright, loufewort, yellow rattle, broom-rape, ivy- leaved toad-flax, round-leaved toad-flax, - fox-glove’, &c. I know of none that have a ftrong fmell in this branch but the {cro- phularia, or figwort, which fmells ftrong, without being aromatic. Here I am not able to name any but fuch plants as may perhaps be unknown to you ; but you will gradually get acquainted with them, and, whenever you fee them, you will be able by yourfelf to determine what clafs they belong to. I wifh you would try to fettle the branch or fection by its phyfiognomy; and that you would exercife yourielf in judging at _ fight, whether a flower be labiate or per- fonate. The exterior form of the corolla may fuffice to guide you in this choice, which you may verify afterwards by pulling out the corolla, and looking at the bottom of the calyx ; for, if you have judged right; . the flower which you have named labiate will fhow you four naked feeds, and that which you have named perfonate will fhow you a pericarp: the contrary would prove that you were miftaken; and by a fecond examination of the fame plant you would prevent a like miftake another t Some of thefe have the mouth of the corolla gaping. — pee pl: 4. f: 3. time. PERSONATE FLOWERS. time*. Here, dear coufin, is bufinefs cut out for feveral walks. I fhall not fail to pro- vide fomething for thofe that will fucceed, k This advice will apply in all the other natural clafles. From this paflage it is clear that by labiate flowers Rouffeau underftands all that are included in the firft order ; by perfonate flowers all that are in the fecond order of Linnzus’s 14th clafs : but many of the flowers in the fecond order have the lips open, Pl. 4 £ 3. LETTER 47: 48 EL a ig BO Ve OF UMBELLATE PLANTS. The 16th. of July, 1772. OMFORT yourfelf, my good coufin, . 4 for not having detected the glands in the cruciform flowers. Great botanifts, and quick-fighted ones too, have not been more happy. Tournefort himfelf makes no men- tion of them. They are obvious only in few genera, though we find veftiges of them in almoft all ; and it is by analyzing fome of the cruciform flowers, and always obferving inequalities in the receptacle, and then examining thefe inequalities, that we find out that thefe glands belong to moft of the genera; and fuppofe therefore by ana- logy that they exift in the others, where we do not diftinguifh them. I comprehend that you may not be pleafed at taking fo much pains, without knowing the names of the plants which you examine. But I own fairly that it did not enter into my plan to {pare you that : little chagrin. It is pretended that Botany is merely a fcience of words, which only exercifes the memory, and teaches the names of plants. For my part, I know not any reafonable ftudy which is a mere {cience of words: and to which of thefe fhall UMBELLATE PLANTS. fhall we give the name of botanift, to him who has a name or a phrafe ready when he fees a plant, but without knowing any thing of its ftructure ; or to him who, being well acquainted with this ftructure, is ignorant neverthelefs of the arbitrary name which the plant has in this or that country? If we give our children nothing but an amuf- ing employment, we lofe the beft half of our defign, which is, at the fame time that we amufe them, to exercife their under- ftandings, and to accuftom them to atten- tion. Before we teach them to name what they fee, let us begin by teaching them how to fee. This fcience, which is forgot in all forts of education, fhould make the moft important part of it.. I can never repeat it often enough ; teach them not to pay them- felves in words, nor to think they know any thing of what 1s merely laid up in their memory. However, not to play the rogue with -you too much, I give you the names of fome plants, with which you may eafily verify my defcriptions, by caufing them to be fhown you. For inftauce, if you can- not find a white dead-nettle, when you are reading the analyfis of the labiate or ringent flowers, you have nothing to do but to tend to an herbarift for it frefh gathered, to apply my defcription to the flower; and then having examined the other parts of the plant, in the manner which I fhall hereafter | E point 49 LE TT BR. IVe point out, you will be infinitely better ac- quainted with the white dead-nettle, than the herbarift who furnifhed you with it will ever be during his whole life ; ina little time, however, we fhall learn how to do with- out the herbarift; but frft we muft finifh the examination of our tribes. And now I come to the fifth, which, at this time, is m full fructification. Figute to yourtelf a long ftem, pretty ftraight, with leaves placed alternately upon. it, generally cut fine, and embracing at the Bale, branches which grow from their 44e, or axils’. From the upper part of this itgm, as from a centre, grow feveral pedi- cles or rays, which fpreading circularly and regularly, like the ribs of an umbrella, crown the ftem with a kind of bafin, more or lefs open ™. Sometimes thefe rays leave a fort of void in the middle, and reprefent, in that cafe, more exa@ly the hollow of a bafin : fometimes alfo this middle is fur- nifhed with other rays that are fhorter, which, rifing lefs obliquely, form with the others nearly the figure of a half {phere with the convex fide uppermoft. Each of thefe rays is terminated, not by a flower, but by another fet of fmaller rays, crowning each of the former exactly as the firft crown the ftem. 1 The angles formed by a leaf or branch with the ftem. ™ The figure is that of ari inverted cone. Pl. 5. f. 7, 7.06 pl. 13. Here UMBELLATE PLANTS. Here then are two fimilar and fucceffive ranks: one of large rays, terminating the ftem; another of fmaller rays, like the others ; each of them terminating the great ones ”. The rays of the little umbels are no far- ther fubdivided, but each of them is the pe- dicle to a little flower, of which we fhall {peak prefently. If you can frame an idea of the figure which I have juft defcribed, you will un- derftand the difpofition of the flowers in the tribe of wmbelliferous or umbellate plants : umbelia being the Latin word for an um- brella. Though this recular difpofition of the fructification be ftriking, and fufficiently conftant in all the umbellate plants, it is not that however which conftitutes the charac- ter of the tribe. ‘This is taken from the ftructure of the flower itfelf, which mufit ‘therefore be defcribed. But it is expedient, for the fake of greater clearnefs, to give you in this place a general diftinétion with regard to the relative difpo- fition of the flower and fruit in all plants ; a diftinction which extremely facilitates their methodical arrangement, whatever fyftem you adopt for that purpofe. The greater number of plants, as the * Linnæus calls the firft the univerfal ; ard the fecond fet the partial umbel, or umbellule, To pink, 51 (er m. LE ANIME IR Ve: pink °, for inftance, have the germ inclofed within the flower ; thefe are called zfer1er Jowers, as incloting or being below the germ. Many however have the germ placed be- low the flower, as in the rofeP; for the hep, which is the fruit of it, is that green tumid body which you fee under the calyx, and this with the corolla crowns the germ, and does not envelope it, as in the former cafe: fuch are called /uperior flowers, as being above the germ. The umbellate plants have a fuperior flower. 1 The corolla has five petals, called regular, though frequently the two outmoft petals of the fowers at the extremity of the umbel are larger than the three others. The form of thefe petals varies in the different genera, but it is ufually cordate or heart-fhaped. ‘They are very narrow next the germ, but gradually widen towards the end, which is emarginate, or flightly notch- ed; or elfe they finifh in a point, which being folded back, gives the petal the air of being emarginate. : Between each petal is a ftamen, and the anther generally ftanding out beyond the corolla; the five ftamens are more vifible ° Or jafmine, rofemary, fage, borage, primrofe, plum, cherry; all the ringent, cruciform, and papi- lionaceous tribes ; all the compound flowers, &c. P Scabious, honeyfuckle, currant, goofeberry, elder, fnow-drop, narciflu:, hawthorn, pear, apple, &c. a See Plate v. f. 5. than UMBELLATE PLANTS. than the five petals. I make no mention here of the calyx, becaufe it is not very diftinét in the umbellate plants. From the centre of the flower arife two ftyles, each furnifhed with its fligma, and fufficiently apparent ; thefe are permanent, or continue after the petals and ftamens fall off, to crown the fruit. The moft ufual figure of this fruit is an oblong oval; when ripe it opens in, the middle, and is divided; into two naked iceds faftened to the pedicle, which, with an art that merits our admiration, divides in two, as well as the fruit, and keeps the feeds {e- parately fufpended till they fall. All thefe proportions vary ia the different genera, but this is the moft common order. lt requires a very attentive eye to diftinguifh accurately objects fo minute without a glafs ; but they are fo deferving of attention, that we cannot regret the trouble of it. This then is the proper character of the umbellate tribe. A fuperior corolla, of five petals, five ftamens, two ftyles, upon a naked fruit compoled of two feeds growing together. Whenever you find thefe characters unit- ed in one fructification, be fure that the plant is of this tribe, even though in other refpeéts it fhould have nothing in its ar- rangement of the order before laid down, And if you fhould find all this order con- formable to my defcription, and fee it how- 3 ever EVE TT ER VN. ever contradiéted by the examination of the flower, be fure that you are deceived. For inftance, if it fhould happen that, after having read my letter, you fhould walk out and find an elder in flower, I am almoft certain that at firft fight you would fay, here is an umbellate plant. * In look- ing at it, you would find a large or univer- fal umbel, a {mall or partial umbel, little white, flowers, a fuperior corolla, and five ftamens ; it is certainly an umbellate plant, fay you. But let us fee, let us take a flower. In the firft place, inftead of five petals, I find a corolla divided into five parts indeed, but all of one piece. Now the flowers of umbellate plants are not monopetalous. There are five ftamens, but I fee no ftyles, and I more often fee three ftigmas than two; more often three feeds than two. Now the umbellate plants have never more or lefs than two ftigmas, and two feeds to each flower. Laftly, the fruit of the elder is a foft berry, and that of the umbellate tribe dry and naked. The elder then is not an umbellate plant. If now you go back and infpec with more accuracy the difpofition of the flowers, you will fee that the elder has the ftru€ture of the umbellate tribe only in appearance. Though the principal rays proceed from the fame centre, the {maller ones are irregular, * See Plate v.F: "4: and UMBELLATE PLANTS. and the flowers are borne on a fecond fub- divifion: in fhort, the whole has not that order and regularity which we find in the umbellate plants. The arrangement of the flowers in the elder is called a cyme. ‘Thus: by making a blunder fometimes, we learn to fee with more accuracy. Eryngo, on the contrary, has little or Eryngo. nothing the air of an umbelliferous plant, and yet it is one, becaufe it has all the cha- racters of the fruétification. If you were by the fea fide *, you would eafily know it by the bluifh colour of the leaves, by their pricklinefs, and by the fmooth membran- ous confiftence of them like parchment. But this plant is uncommon in other fitua- tions, is rough and untraétable, has not beauty enough to make you amends for the wounds it will give you in examining it ; and though it were ever fo beautiful, my little coufin would foon be difgufted at handling fo ill-humoured a plant. The umbelliferous tribe is numerous, and fo natural, that it is very difficult to diftin- guifh the genera: they are relations, whom we often take for each other, on account of their great refemblance. To affift us in diftinguifhing them, principal differences are noticed which are fometimes ufeful, but which we muft not depend upon too much. The focus of the rays both in the larger or * Eryngo is alfo very common by road-fides in France, but not with us. E 4 univerfal, Cry ON PET D'ERP UM, iniverfal, and in the fmaller or partial um- bel, is not always naked; it is fometimes furrounded with fmall leaves. This fet of {mall leaves or folioles is called the involucre. When it is placed at the origin of the uni- verfal umbel, it is named the univerfal in- volucre; and when at the origin of the partial umbel, it is named the partial in- volucre. This gives rife to three fections of umbellate plants. 1. Thofe which have both involucres. 2. Thofe which have partial involucres only. 3. Thofe which have neither. There feeins a fourth divifion wanting of thofe which have an univerfal involucre only; but there is no genus which is con- {tantly fo. Your aftonifhing progrefs, my dear cou- fin, and unwearied patience, have embold- ened me fo much, that not regarding your fufferings, 1 have ventured to defcribe the umbellate plants, without fixing your eyes upon any model, which muft needs have rendered your attention much more fa- tiguing. I am certain, however, that, read- ing as you do, after you have looked over my letter once or twice, an umbellate plant in flower will not efcape you; and at this feafon you cannot fail finding many, both in the gardens and the figlds. Moit of them have their little flowers white. As the carrot, chervil, parfley, hemlock, UMBELLATE PLANTS. hemlock, fool’s parfley, angelica, cow- parfnep, water- parfnep, burnet faxifrage, pig-nuts, cow-weed, &c*. Some, as fennel, dill, parfnep, have yel- low flowers ; ace are fn few with red- difh flowers, but none of any other colour. Here, you will tell me, may be a good general notion of umbellate. plants ; mer how will all this vague knowledge enfure me from confounding fool’s parfley with true parfley or chervil, which you have mentioned all together? * The meaneft kitchen-maid will know more of this mat- ter than we with all our learning. You are right. But, however, if we begin with obfervations in detail, we fhall foon be over- whelmed with the number of them; our memory will abandon us, and we {hall be loft the firft ftep we make in this vañt re- gion; whereas if we begin with knowing the great roads well, we fhall feldom be loft in the by-paths, and fhall always find our way again without much trouble. Let us, however, admit an exception in favour of the utility of the object, and let us not expofe ourfelves, whilit we are analyzing: the vegetable kingdom, to eat fool’s parfley with our meat, or in our foup, through mere ignorance. This plant, which is fo common a weed * Here, and in other places, I fet down thé names of Hudfon’s Flora. proce Ele ve ts 112 3 in 54. 58 Fool’s Parflcy. LETTER V. in gardens, is of the umbellate tribe, as well as parfley and chervil. It has'a white flower as well as they ‘, it is in the . fame fe€tion with the latter, among thofe which have the partial, and not the uni- verfal involucre ; it is fo like them in its foliage that it is not eafy to mark the dif- ference in writing. But here follow cha- racters fufficient to prevent you from being: miftaken. | You muft confider thefe plants when they are all in flower ; for in that ftate only they have their proper character. The fool’s parfley (æthufa cynapium) has under every partial umbel an‘involucre of three narrow, tong, pointed folioles, all: placed on the outer part of the umbel, and hanging down ; whereas the folioles of the partial umbels in the chervil furround it entirely, and grow equally on every fide: and as to parfley, it has only a few fhort folioles, fine almoft as hairs, and diftributed indifferently at the bafe of both umbels. When you are very certain of the fool’s parfley in flower, you will confirm your- felf in your judgment by flightly bruifing and fmelling its foliage; for the difagrec- ¥ The flower of parfley is yellowifh, But the flowers appear yellow in many of the umbellate plants, from the germ and anthers being fo, though the corolla is white. Rox/feau.-—The germ and anthers alfo are fre- quently Jarge in proportion to the fize of thefe minute flowers, and the corolla eafily falls off, efpecially with wet. able UMBELLATE. PLANTS. able venomous fmeil will no longer fuffer you to confound it with parfley or chervil, which have both rather a pleafant fmell. Very certain at length, not to make a mif- take, you will examine thefe three plants together and. feparatelv in every itate, and in all their parts, efpecially in their fo- liage, which accompanies them more con- ftantly than the fower; and by this exa- mination compared and repeated, till you have acquired certainty at fight, you wiil be able to know and diftinguifh them with- out the leaft trouble. ‘Thus does ftudy bring us to the very door of practice; after which the latter confers the facility of knowing things. Take breath, dear coufin, for this is an uncontcionable letter ; and yet I dare not promife you more difcretion in the next ; after that, however, we fhall have nothing before us but a path bordered with flowers. You deferve a garland for the cheerfulnefs and perfeverance with which you have condefcended to follow me through thefe briars, without being difcouraged at their thorns. LETTER 59 Leta AE, TOPE Re wl OF COMPOUND FLOWERS. May the 22d, 1773. HOUGH there be full, dear coufir, a great deal wanting to,complete our idea of the five former tiibes of plants, and 1 have not always known how to adapt my deicriptions to the underftanding of our young botanift ; I flatter mytelf however that I have given you fuch an idea of them, as to enable you, after fome months herba- rization, to render the air, port, or habit of each tribe familiar to you: fo, that when you fee a plant, you may conjecture nearly whether it belong to one of thefe five tribes, and to which; provided always that by an analyfis of the fructification, you afterwards {ee whether you may not have been deceived in your conjecture. The umbellate plants, for inftance, have thrown you into {ome embarraflment, from which however you may eafily efcape when you pleafe, by means of the hints which I fubjoined to my defcriptions. In fhort, car- rots and parineps are fo common, that no- thing is eafier in the middle of fummer than for the gardener to fend you one or other of them in flower out of the kitchen gar- den. Now from the mere view of an um- bel, COMPOUND FLOWERS. bel, and the plant which bears it, you muft acquire fo clear an idea of the umbel- late tribe, that you will rarely be deceived. at firft fight, whenever you meet with one. This is all that I have hitherto pretended ; for we have nothing to do yet with genera and fpecies ; and I repeat it once more, that it is not the nomenclature of a parrot which T wifh you to acquire, but a real fcience, and one of the moft delightful fciences that it is pofhble to cultivate. I go on therefore to our fixth tribe before I take a more “me- ‘thodical road. It may perhaps at firft em- barrafs you as much, if not more than the umbellate plants. But my defign at pre- {ent is nothing more than to give you a general notion of it, efpecially as we have itill plenty of time, before the generality of thefe plants are in full flower; and the in- terval, well employed, will fmooth thofe difficulties againft which we have not ftrength to contend. 61 Take one of thofe little flowers which, Da. at this feafon, cover all the paftures, and which every body knows by the name of daify. “ Look at it well ; for by its appear- ance, I am fure you will be furprifed when I tell you, that this flower, which is fo fmall and delicate, is really compofed of between two and three hundred other flowers, all of them perfect; that is, hav- w Plate 6. f, 1. ing LET;-TER | VI. ing each its corolla, germ, piftil, ftamens, and feed ; in a word, as perfect in its {pe- cies as a flower of the hyacinth or lily. Every one of thofe leaves which are white above and red underneath, and form a kind of crown round the flower, appearing to be nothing more than little petals, are in reality fo many true flowers; and every one of thofe tiny yellow things alfo which you fee in the centre, and which at firft you have perhaps taken for nothing but ftamens, are real flowers. If your fingers were already exercifed in botanical difleétions, and you were armed with a good glafs, and plenty of patience, I might convince you of the truth of this ; but at prefent you muft be- gin, if you pleafe, by believing me on my word, for fear of fatiguing your attention upon atoms. However, to put you at leaft in the way, pull out one of the white leaves from the flower; you will think at firft that it is flat from one end to the other; but look carefully at the end by which it was fattened to the flower, and you will fee that it is not flat, but round and hollow in form of a tube; and that a little thread ending in two horns iffues from the tube ; this thread is the forked ftyle of the flower, which, as you now fee, is flat only at top. Now look at thofe little yellow things in the middle of the flower, and which, as I have told you, are all fo many flowers; if the flower be fufficiently advanced, you will COMPOUND FLOWERS. will fée feveral of them open in the middle, and even cut into feveral parts. Thefe are monopetalous corollas, which expand, and a glafs will eafily difcover in them the piftil, and even the anthers with which it is furrounded. Commonly the yellow florets towards the centre are ftill rounded and clofed. Thefe however are flowers like the others, but not yet open ; for they expand fucceflively from the edge inwards. ‘This is enough to fhow you, by the eye, the poffibility that all thefe {mall affairs, both white and yellow, may be fo many diftinét flowers; and this is a con- {tant fa&. You perceive, neverthelefs, that all thefe little flowers are prefied, and in- clofed in a calyx, which is common to them all, and which is that of the daify. In con- fidering then the whole daify as one flower, we give it a very fignificant name, when we call it a compound flower. Now there are many genera and fpecies of flowers formed, like the daify, of an aflemblage of other fmaller flowers, contained in a com- mon calyx. ‘This is what conftitutes the fixth tribe, of which I propofed to treat, namely, that of the compound flowers. Let us begin by avoiding all ambiguity with regard to the word flower, which we may do in the prefent cafe by reftraining it to the compound flower*, and giving the aN Say OI name 64 ‘ L'ET TERY ENT, name of flofcules or florets * to the little com- ponent flowers; but in the midft of this verbal precifion let us not forget that each of thefe florets is a genuine baer; You have abicived two forts of florets in the daify : the yellow ones, which occupy the middle or difk of the flower, and the little white tongues or ftraps which fur- round them. The former are fomething like the flow- ers of the lily of the valley, or hyacinth in miniature: and the latter bear fome refem- blance to thofe of the honeyfuckle. We fhall leave to the firit the name of florets? ; and to diftinguifh the fecond we fhall call them /emi-florets*: for in reality they have a little the air of monopetalous flowers enawed off on one fide, and having fcarcely half the corolla remaining. ~ Thefe two forts of fldrets are combined in the compound flowers in fuch a manner, as to divide the whole tribe into three {fec- tions, very diftiné from each other. The firft fection confifts of thofe which are entirely compofed of femiflorets, both in the middle and circumference; thefe are called femi-flofculous flowers, and the wholé is always of one colour, which is generally yellow. Such is the common dandelion ?, FRE duc €, fyay hit. Babe 2 Pl. 6. £1. e & F. 3. b. 2 Linnzeus oa calls thefe ligulate florets, from ligula a ftrap. Eo eee » Pl. 6: - the / COMPOUND FLOWERS. the lettuce and fowthiftle ; the fuccory and endive, which have blue flowers ; the fcor- zonera, falfafy, &c. The fecond fection comprehends the #/- culous flowers, or fuch as are compofed of florets only : ‘thefe are alfo commonly of one colour ; as immortal flowers, burdock, wormwood, mugwort, thiftles, and arti- choke, which is nearly allied to them: it is the calyx of this that we fuck, and the receptacle that we eat, whilft it is yet “young, before the flower opens, or is even formed. ‘The choke, which we take out of the middle, is an affemblage of florets which are beginning to be formed, and are feparated from each other by long hairs fixed in the receptacle. The third fection is of flowers compofed of both thefe. They are always fo arranged that the florets occupy the centre of the flower, and the femi-florets the circumfe- rence, as you have feen in the daify. The flowers of this fection are called radiate. Botanifts have given the name of ray to the fet of femi-florets which compofe the cir- cumference ; and of 4/k to the area or cen- tre of the flower occupied by the florets. This name of difk is fometimes given to the furface of the receptacle in which all the florets and femi-florets are fixed. In the radiate flowers the difk is often of one co- - CePh 6. f 3. MEISO FF 1. & PI. 26: F lour, 65 66 LETTER Vi. lour, and the ray of another; there are, however, genera and {pecies in which both are alike. Let us endeavour now to fix in your mind an idea of a compound flower. The common clover is in blow at this fea- {on ; ‘the flower is purple: if you fhould take one in hand, feemg fo many little flowers aflembled, you might be tempted to take the whole for a compound flower. You would however be miftaken ; in what? fay you. Why, in fuppofing that an affem- blage of many little flowers is fufficient to conftitute a compound flower: whereas, befides this, one or two parts of the fructi- fication muft be common to them all; fo that every one muft have a part in it, and no one have its own feparately : thefe two parts in common are the calyx and recepta- cle. The flower of the clover indeed, or rather the group of flowers, which has the appearance of being but one flower, feems at firft to be placed upon a fort of calyx; but remove this pretended calyx a little, and you will perceive that it does not belong to the flower, but that it is faftened below it to the pedicle that bears it. ‘This then is a calyx only in appearance ; but in reality it belongs to the foliage, not to the flower; and this fuppofed compound flower is only an aflemblage of very {mall leguminous or e Pl. 6. f 4 papi- COMPOUND FLOWERS. papilionaceous flowers, each of which has its diftinct calyx, and they have nothing common to them but their being faftened to the fame pedicle. Vulgarly all this is taken for one flower ; it is a falfe idea however, or if we muft look upon it as fuch, we muft not at leaft call it a compound, but an aggregate or capitate flower, or a head of flowers ; and thefe terms are fometimes fo applied by botanical writers. This, dear coufin, is the moft fimple and natural notion I can give you of this nu- merous clafs of compound flowers, and the three fections into which it is fubdivided. I now come to the ftructure of the fruéti- fications. peculiar to this clafs, and this perhaps will bring us to determine the cha- racter of it with more precifion. The moft eflential part of a compound flower is the receptacle‘; upon which are placed firft the florets and femi-florets, and then the feeds which fucceed them. ‘This receptacle, which forms a difk of fome ex- tent, makes the centre of the calyx, as you may fee in the dandelion, which we will here take as an inftance. The calyx in this tribe is commonly divided into feveral parts, down to the bafe, that it may clofe, open again, and turn back, as it does during the progrefs of the frutification, without being torn. The calyx of the dandelion is formed cf two rows of folioles, inferted into each £ PL 6. F. 1. b. & 26. e. F 2 other; 67 68 LETTER VI other ; and the folioles of the outer row turn back and curl downwards towards the pedicle, whilft the folioles of the inner row continue ftraight, to furround and hold in the femi-florets compofing the flower. One of the moft common forms alfo of the calyx in this clafs is the zmbricate, or that which is made up of feveral rows of folioles, lying over each other like tiles on aroof. The artichoke, blue-bottle, knap- weeds, and fcorzoneras, may ferve as in- {tances of imbricate calyxes. | The florets and femi-florets inclofed within the calyx are placed very thick upon the difk or receptacle in form of a quincunx, or the checks upon a chefs-board. Some- times they touch each other without any thing interpofed between them ; fometimes they are feparated by partitions of hairs, or {mall fcales, which continue faft to the re- ceptacle after the feeds are fallen. You are now in the way to obferve the differ- ences of calyxes and receptacles: we will go on then to the ftruéture of florets, and femi-florets, beginning with the former. A floret § is a monopetalous flower, com- monly regular, with the corolla divided at top into four or five parts. The five fila- ments of the ftamens are faftened to the ‘tube of this corolla: they are united at top into a little round tube, which furrounds the piftil, and this tube is the five anthers & Pl. 6. fre f. 3. bee Pl, 25. f. 2. c. PI. 26. d. united COMPOUND FLOWERS. 69 * united circularly into one body. This union * of the anthers, according to modern bo- tanifts, forms the effential character of compound flowers, and belongs to their florets only, exclufive of all others. If therefore you find feveral flowers upon the fame difk, as in the fcabioufes and teafels, unlefs RE anthers are united in a tube round the piftil, and the corolla ftands upon one naked feed, fuch flowers are not florets, nor do they form a compound flower *. On the contrary, whenever you find in a fingle flower the anthers thus united, and a fupe- rior corolla on a fingle feed, this flower, though fole, is a genuine force. and be- longs to the compound tribe ; for it is bet- ter thus to take the character froma precife ftru€ture than from a deceitful appearance. The piftil has the ftyle generally longer than the floret, above which it rifes ro gh the tube formed by the anthers. It is moft frequently terminated at top by a forked ftigma, the two curling horns of which are very vifible. The piftil does not reft upon the receptacle any more than the floret, but both upon the germ, which ferves ee asia bafe, and grows and lengthens as the floret withers, becoming in time a longifh feed, remaining fattened to the receptacle till it is ripe: then it falls, if it be naked; or the wind wafts it to a diftance if it be crowned with an egret of feathers or hairs; and the e Sce1. NT Te pra receptacle LETTER Vi. receptacle remains quite naked in fome ge- nera, but is furnifhed with fcales or hairs in AR | The ftruture of the femi-florets ‘is like that of the florets; the flamens, the piftil, and the feed, are arranged almoft in the fame manner; only in the radiate flowers there are many genera, wherein the femi- florets of the ray are apt to be abortive, ei- ther becaufe they have no piftils, or becaufe thofe which they have are barren: in fuch cafes the flower feeds only by the florets in the middle *. In the whole compound clafs the feed is always feffile, that is, it bears immediately upon the receptacle without any intermedi- ate pedicle. But there are feeds in which the down or egret which crowns them is feffile!; and others in which it is faftened to the feed by a pedicle™. You underftand that the ufe of this down is to fpread the feeds about to a diftance, by giving the air more hold upon them. To thefe irregular imperfect defcriptions I fhould add that the calyx has generally the property of opening when the flower expands ; of clofing when the florets fall off, in order to confine the young feed, and to hinder it from falling before it is ripe; and, MPEG £30 b. EL ge. fe. oe oe. S.A be 27. f. 2. €. k Sunflower. 1 Thiftles, artichoke. See Plows Rave ™ Lettuce, dandelion. See Pl. 25. f, 1, d | laftly, COMPOUND FLOWERS. laftly, of opening again and turning quite back to give a larger 2 area to the feds which increafe in Ze as they grow ripe. You muft often have feen the den in this ftate, when children gather it, to blow off the down that forms a ball round the re- verted, calyx. | To underftand this clafs well, you muft follow the flowers from before their expan- fion to the full maturity of the fruit ; and in this fucceflion you will fee transformations and a chain of wonders, which will keep every fenfible mind that obferves them ina continual admiration. One flower proper for thefe obfervations is the funflower, which is radiate ; as are alfo ox-eye, Chinefe after, and many, others, which are the ornament of the borders in autumn. I have already faid that there are thiftles for the flofculous, and fcorzonera and dandelion for the femi- flofculous flowers. All thefe are large enough to be difleéted, and ftudied wi ith the naked eye, without fatiguing yourtelf — too much. I will not trouble you at prefent any more upon the tribe or clafs of compound flow- ers. I tremble already at having abuied your patience too much by details which would have been clearer if I had known how to make them fhorter ; but it is im- pofhble for me to avoid the difficulty arif- ing from the fmallnefs of objects. Adieu, dear coufin. PE LETTER DER EER: VIL OF FRUIT TREES. if ERE, dear coufin, you have the names of thofe plants which you fent me Jaft. I have put a mark of interrogation to thofe which I had any doubt of, becaufe you had not taken care to put the leaves with the flower, and they are often necef- fary to determine the fpecies, efpecially to fo flender a botanift as lam. When you arrive at Fourriere you will find moft of the fruit-trees in flower; and I remember you requefted fome directions from me upon this article. At prefent I can only give you fome hints upon the fubjeét, becaufe I am very bufy; and yet I would not have you lofe the feafon for this examination. You muft not, my dear friend, give more importance to Botany than it really has ; it is a ftudy of pure curiofity, and has no other real ufe than that which a thinking fenfible being may deduce from the obfervation of nature and the wonders of the univerfe. Man has changed the nature of many things to convert them better to his own ufe; in that he 1s not to be blamed; but then it is neverthelefs true that he has often disfigured them, and that when he thinks he is ftudying nature in the works of his own FRUIT TREES. own hands, he is frequently miftaken. This error is found above all in civil fociety ; but it has a place alfo in gardens. ‘The double flowers, which we admire fo much in our borders and beds, are but monfters, de- prived of the power of producing their like ; a power with which nature has endowed every organized being. Fruit-trees are fomewhat in the fame cafe, by being in- grafted ; you may plant the pips or feeds of pears and apples of the beft forts, but they will produce nothing but wildings. To know then the pear aad the apple OF nature, you muft not look for them in eon but in woods. ‘The flefh or pulp is not fo large and fucculent, but the feeds ripen better, multiply more, and the trees are vaftly bigger, and more vigorous. But I am entering on a fubject that would carry me too far: let us return to the orchard. Our fruit-trees, though ingrafted, pre- ferve alk the botanical charaët ters HEH diftinguifh them; and it is by an attentive confideration of thefe characters, as well as by the transformation of the graft, that we a{certain there being but one fpecies of pear, for inftance, under a thoufand different names, by which the fhape and tafte of their fruits Hie caufed them to be diftinguifhed into fo many pretended {pecies, shiek are at bottom, but varieties: nay more, the pear and apple are only two forts or fpecies of the fame kind or genus, and their only cha- racterittic 73 74 PET Be Ry. VILLE, racteriftic difference is, that the ftalk of the apple enters into.a hollow in the fruit, and that of the pear is faftened to the narrow part of a fruit a little lengthened out”. In the fame manner the different forts of cher- ries are nothing but varieties of the fame {pecies ; all the plums are but one {pecies of plum; nay the genus of prunus or plum | contains three principal {pecies ; the plum properly fo called, the cherry and the apri- cot, which alfo is only a fpecies of plum. Thus when the learned Linnæus, in divid- ing the genus into its fpecies, has enume- rated the domeftic plum, the plum cherry, and the plum apricot°; ignorant people have laughed at him, but aap have admired cae juftnefs of his arrangement. The fruit-trees belong moftly t toanume- rous tribe, which has a ee not diffi- cult to feize ; the ftamens, which are many in number, inftead of arifing from the re- ceptacle, are faftened to the calyx, ? either immediately, or with the corolla, which is n Nor is this always conftant, fome pears having the common fhape of the apple. It is extremely difficult to find any permanent differences between fruits, which are diftinguifhed by every body at firft fight. We may add, however, that the corollas of the pear are white, thofa, of the apple red on the outfide: the apple alfo has a firmer pulp, and none of thofe tubercles which fome forts of pear have: and, laftly, the leaves of the pear are very {mooth ; thofe of the apple more rounded, lefs pee and villous underneath. Eras domeftica. 2, Prunus Cerafus. 3. Pru- nus Fe The fruit- LE are figured by Duhamel. PPL IG: fc. and'fs 2. polypetalous, FRUIT TREES. polypetalous, and confifts commonly of five petals. The following are characters of {ome of the principal genera. The pear, comprehending alfo the apple and the quince, has the calyx monophyi- lous, divided into five fegments; the co- rolla of five petals faftened to the calyx, about twenty ftamens, all faftened likewife to the calyx. The germ is inferior, and there are five ftyles. The fruit, as every body knows, is flefhy, and has five cells containing the feeds. The genus plum, comprehending the apricot and cherry, as was before obferved, and alfo the laurel, has the calyx, corolla, and ftamens, nearly as in the pear. But the germ is fuperior, or within the corolla; and there is but one ftyle. The fruit is ra- ther watery than flefhy, and contains a ftone. The genus almond, including the peach and neétarine, is almoft like the plum, but the germ has a down upon it, and the fruit, which every body knows is fucculent in the peach, and dry in the almond, inclofes a hard ftone, which is rough and full of Cavities 1 All this is very roughly fketched out, but I hope contains enough to amufe you for the prefent. Adieu, dear coufin. 2 Befides thofe mentioned above, this clafs, called zco- fandria by Linnæus, contains other fruits, as the pome- granate, fervice, medlar, rafpberry, ftrawberry, &c. LETTER 75 Cee) LE LC CE a ACL. OF MAKING A HORTUS SICCUS, OR HERBARIUM. April the 11th, 1773- HE earth, dear coufin, begins to put on its green robe, the trees to bud, the flowers to open; fome are even already paft; an inftant of delay would be the lots of a whole year for Botany: I proceed then © without farther preamble. I fear we have hitherto treated our fubje& in too abftraét a way, by not having applied our ideas to determinate objects : it 1s a fault which I have been guilty of, efpecially in the umbellate tribe. If I had begun by fet- ting one of them before your eyes, I fhould have {pared you a very fatiguing application to an imaginary object, as well as a very difficult defcription to myfelf, and fuch as a fingle look would have fupplied. Unfor- tunately, at a diftance to which the law of neceflity reftrains me, I am not able to de- liver the objects into your hand; but pro- vided each of us can fee with the fame eyes, we fhall underftand one another very well, when we relate what we fee. The whole difficulty is, that the indication muft come from you; for to fend you dried plants from HORTUS SICCUS. from hence, would be doing nothing. To know a plant well you muft begin with feeing it growing. A hortus ficcus, or ber- um, by which Latin terms we call a colleétion of dried plants, may ferve to put us in mind of the plants we have once known; but it gives us only a poor know- ledge of thofe we have never feen before. You therefore mutt fend me fuch plants as you with to know, and have gathered your- {elf ; and it is my bufinefs to name, clafs, and defcribe them ; till by comparative ideas, become familiar to your eye and your un- derftanding, you arrive at clafing, arrang- ing, and naming, by yourfelf, thofe which you fee for the firft time: and this is the {cience which diftinguifhes the true botanift from the mere herbarift or nomenclator. My defign then here is to teach you how to prepare, dry, and preferve plants, or {pecimens of plants, in fuch a manner as that they may be eafily known and deter- mined. Ina word, I propofe to you to be- gin a bortus ficcus. Here is a deal of bufi- nefs preparing at a diftance for our little botanift: for at prefent, and for fome time to come, the addrefs of your fingers muft fupply the weaknefs of her ss Firft, here is fome provifion to be made ; namely, five or fix quires of gray paper, and almoft as many of white, of the fame bignefs, pretty ftrong and well fized, with- out which the fpecimens would rot in the gray 77 78 Ei ITEM VILI gray paper, the plants, or at leaft the flow- ers, would lofe their colour, and this, of all the parts, is that by which they are moft eafily known, and which it is mo pleafant to fee in a colleétion of dried plants". It were alfo to be wifhed that you had a prefs of the fame fize with your pa- per, or at leaft two pieces of board well planed, between which you may keep your papers and fpecimens, prefled by {tones or any other weight, with which you may load the upper plank. When you have made thefe preparations, you muft obferve the following rules, in order to prepare your plants fo as to preferve them and know them again. The precife time to gather your plant is when it is in full flower, or rather when fome of the flowers begin to fall, to give place to the fruit, which begins to make its appearance. It is at this time, when all parts of the fructification are vifible, that you muft endeavour to gather the plant in order to dry it. Small plants may be taken whole with their roots, which mutt be brufhed, that no earth may remain. If the earth be wet, it mutt either be dried, that it may be brufhed, or elfe the root muft be wafhed; but in this cafe you fhould wipe it well, and dry it be- fore you put it into the papers, without which it would infallibly rot and injure the * See Dr. Withering’s Arrangements of Britith Plants, edit. 2. introd. p. 45. 5 plants HORTUS SICCUS. plants near it. You need not, however, preferve the roots, unlefs they have fome remarkable fingularities ; for in moft plants the branching fibrous roots are fo alike, that it is not worth the trouble. Nature, which has done fo much for elegance and orna- ment, in the form and colour of plants, in whatever itrikes our fight, has deftined the roots entirely to ufeful fundtions ; becaufe being concealed within the earth, to give them an agreeable ftru€ture, would have been to hide a light under a bufhel. Trees and all great plants can only be had by fpecimens: but then that fpecimen fhould be fo well chofen, as to contain all the conftituent parts of the genus and fpe- cies, that it may fuffice to know and deter- mine the plant from whence it is taken. It is not fufficient that all the parts of the fructification are diftinguifhable, which would be enough to determine the genus ; but the character of the foliation and rami- fication alfo muft be fufficiently vifible; that is, the origin and form of the leaves and branches, and even, as much as may be, fome portion of the main ftem itfelf; for, as you will fee in the fequel, all this ferves to diftinguith the fpecies of the fame genus, which are perfectly alike in the flower and fruit. If the branches are too thick, they may be made thinner, by cut- ting them with a fharp knife nicely under- neath, as much as may be, without cutting and 89 BIE: T SPER J VIII and mutilating the leaves. There are bo- tanifts who have the patience to flit the bark, and draw the wood out fe nicely, that when the bark is united again, the branch feems to be entire though the wood is gone: by which means there are none of thofe inequalities and bumps, which {poil and disfigure a collection, and give a bad form to the plants. Where the flowers and leaves do not come out at the fame time, or grow too far diftant from each other, you will take a little branch in flower, and another in leaf, and placing them together on the fame leaf of your book, you thus have before you different parts of the fame plant, fufficient to give you a complete knowledge of it. As to plants where you find only the leaves, the flower being either paft or not yet come, you muit wait with patience till they fhow their faces, to be fully acquainted with them. A plant being no more certainly to be known by its fo- liage than a man by his clothes. Such 1s the choice that you fhould make in what you gather: you muft have a choice alfo as to the time in which you do it. Plants gathered in the morning before the dew is off, or in the evening when it is damp, or in the day-time when it is wet, will not keep. You mutt abfolutely choofe a dry feafon, and even then, the drieft and hotteft time of the day, which in fummer is between eleven in the morning and five in HORTUS SICCUS: in the afternoons Even then, if you find the leaft moifture on them, you muft not take them, for they will certainly not keep. When you have gathered your {pecimens, you muft bring them home as foon as you can, quite dry, to put and arrange them in your papers. For this purpofe-you lay down at leaft one fheet of gray paper, upon this half a fheet of white paper, and then your plant, taking great care that all the parts of it, efpecially the leaves and flowers, are well opened, and laid out in their natural fitua- tion. If the plant be a little withered, with- out being too much fo, it will generally fpread out better upon the paper, with the fingers and thumb. But there are rebel- lious plants which ftart up on one fide, whilft you are ranging them on the other. To prevent this inconvenience, | have leads, halfpence, and farthings, which I place upon thofe parts that I have juft put in order, whilft I am arranging the reft, fo that when I have done, my plant is almoft covered with thefe pieces, which keep it ia its proper fituation. Then you place ano- ther half fheet of white paper upon the firit, prefling it with your hand, to keep the plant in the pofition you have given it, bringing your left hand that prefles gradually forward, and at the fame time taking away the leads, &c. with your rights then put another fheet of gray paper upon the fecond white paper, all the while prefling the plant, left | G it Sr be WET TER Witt. it lofe the pofition you have given it: upon the gray paper place another half fheet of white, as before ; upon this another plant arranged and covered like the former, till you have placed your whole harveft, which ought not to be too numerous at once ; both that your tafk may not be too labo- rious, and that your paper may not contract too much humidity during the drying ; which would infallibly poil your plants, unlefs you haftened to change the papers with the fame attention as | béfarels this, however, is what you muft do from time to time, till your fpecimens have taken their bent, and are all very dry. Your pile of plants and papers thus ar- ranged, muft be put into the prefs, without which your plants will not be flat and even; fome are for prefling them more, others lets; experience will teach you this, as well as how often the papers fhould be changed, without taking unneceflary pains. Laftly, when your plants are quite dry, put each of them teparately into a fheet of pa- ‘per, one upon another, without other papers between, for which there is no occafion, ‘and you will thus begin a horfus ficcus, which will continually increafe with your knowledge, and at length contain the hif- tory of all the vegetation of the country. ‘Take care always to keep your collection very clofe, and a little prefled; without which the plants, however dry they might 7 be, HORTA, SACCUS, be, will attract the humidity of the air, and again get out of form. Now the ufe of all thefe pains is to ar- rive at a knowledge of each particular plant, and to underftand one another well when we talk of them. For this purpofe you muft gather two fpecimens of each plant ; one larger to be kept, the other fmaller to fend me. You muft number them carefully, fo that both great and little fpecimen fhall always have the fame number. When you have a dozen or two of fpecies thus dried, you will fend them to me in a little parcel by the firft opportunity. I will fend you back their names and defcriptions; by means of the numbers you will know them in your col- Jeétion, and after that in their natural ftate, ‘wherein, I prefume, you firft examined them. This is the certain way to make as fecure and rapid a progrefs as you can, at a diftance from your guide. P. S. I forgot to tell you that the fame papers may ferve over and over again, pro- vided you take care to air and dry them well. I fhould alfo add here, that your hortus ficcus mutt be kept in the drieft part of the houfe, and rather on the firft than the ground-floor. G 2 LETTER (“8479 LE HT Be IX. EXPLANATION OF THE CLASSES IN.THE LINNÆAN SYSTEM. March the 25th, 1774. Have received all your packets very fafe, and cannot but admire the neatnefs with which you have arranged your plants ; the care you have taken in having all the parts neceflary to determine both the genus and fpecies in your fpecimens ; and the bril- hancy of colour in moft of the flowers. All this ferves to fhow how much better the female fingers are adapted to fuch ope- rations than ours. I am pleafed alfo to hear that our little botanift had fo large a fhare in laying out and drying thefe plants, which 1 fhall carefully preferve as a memorial of the induftry and ‘adroitnefs of both. . But what gives me the moft pleafure is, to fee that you have remarked, with fo much fuc- cefs in general, to which of the natural clafles your plants belong: fo that I am well convinced you have profited by my leflons, and have paid a due attention to my letters. What reward, dear coufin, can I give you for your unwearied patience and perfe- verance in following me through fo much abftract abftra& matter, when your curiofity muft needs have been piqued, and your defire of being acquainted with the rank and names of the beautiful objets which you gathered arranged, and dried, with fo much affection, muft have been awakened? I have now, in fome degree, endeavoured to content you, by the paper which accompanies this, con- taining the names of all the plants in your packets, placed after the numbers which you have put to them in your col lection : fo that to the common objets which you knew by rote, you are now enabled to add a confiderable number, whofe acquaintance you will value more, becaufe you know them, upon thorough examination. You have therefore fo many more points to reft upon ; but this is not fufficient ; you can- not be a botanift till you are able to help . yourfelf, to caft me off entirely, and to find out a plant with which you are unac- quainted. Alithis, however, will ftill re- quire fome time and patience; and as you remember that you are not to take any more fteps in this kingdom than are agree- able, you will inform me when you are tired. Such information I propofe now to con- vey to you by degrees: and having initiated you by fhowing “how you may determine the clafs of fome plants, I will now open the whole myftery, and inftruét you how to determine the clafs of them all. To do | CRE this BS 86 LE # Etre IX. this you muft learn a fyftem; in which, however, you are not to expect that all vegetables are arranged in natural claffes, fuch as I have hitherto explained to you, but after an artificial method, the order of nature not being in all points yet unveiled to our mortal eyes. Your pains, however, will not have been thrown away; becaufe I promife you that our artificial fyftem fhall preferve the natural tribes which you have ftudied fo well. Do not fuffer yourfelf to be terrified at the word /yfem. { promife you there fhall be little difficulty in it to you who have patience and attention; and as little parade of hard words as poflible, only allowing me to name my clafles and orders". The {yftem I propofe to you is not the French one by Tournefort, which is v ery beautiful, and has great merit; but the Swedifh one by Linneus. I prefer this, becaufe it 1s mott complete, and moft in fafhion. You are fo well acquainted with all the conftituent parts of the fruétification, that you need not be told what the ftamens and piftils are. Linnæus has founded his claffes upon the former, and many of his orders upon the latter of thefe. But at prefent "The Englifh ftudent will find great advantage in poliefling many elementary books, ‘explaining all the terins, in his own language. Now alfo he has Lin- næus’s fyftem of vegeta ables and genera tranflated. Hud- fon’s Flora Anglica, and Withering’s arrangement, con- neét the Englifi h names with tate of Linnæus. the CLASSES. the claffes will furnifh you with fufficient employment. I fuppofe you take a plant in hand that is in full ower; the firft thing you have ; to {ee is, whether the flowers are complete or perfect, that is, have both ftamens and piftils: if fo, view the ftamens well, in or- det to difcover whether they are entirely feparate from the piftil and each other from top to bottom, or united in fome part or other ; if they are feparate, of the fame, or an indeterminate length, and lefs in number than twenty, then the number alone will fuffice to determine the clafs; and thofe which have one ftamen will belong to the firit clafs entitled monandria; thofe with two ftamens to the fecond, dandria ; thote with three to the third, #riandria, and fe on to the tenth, entitled decandria*. Thete are Greek names, and fome of them not fhort ones: fince however they are only four-and-twenty in all, you will indulge me fo far in time as to have them by heart. The flowers for examination fhould be ga- thered as nearly as poffible in their natural ftate; for many of thofe which are culti- vated in gardens undergo ftrange transfor- mations, and either lofe the ftamens and piltils entirely, or acquire an additional number. The firft clafies, which have but few ftamens, are not {0 liable to change as * Plate 7. to 16. with pl. 5. & 1. G 4 thofe 88 LETTER IX. thofe which have many. Thus the num- ber in the three claffes already mentioned is not variable; nor in the fourth clafs, fe- trandria. In the fifth, pentandria, {ome plants have more than their proper quota of ftamens to the flower, at leaft when culti- vated in gardens ; but this is a very numer- ous clafs, and it is no wonder if we find fome few irregular among fo many. To fecure you in fome meafure againft miftakes on this and other occafions, 1 muft obferve, that nature in general carries a certain pro- portion through all the parts of the fame work ; and therefore if you have a flower which has a calyx divided into five feg- ments, and a corolla confifting of five pe- tals, or divided into five parts; if you count fix or feven ftamens, be fure all is not right, and take the pains to infpeét fome other flowers of the fame fpecies, before you determine. I dare affirm fuch exami- nation will convince you that your flower belongs to the fifth clafs, pentandria, in which the natural number of ftamens is five. In the fixth clafs, Aexandria, whofe beautiful flowers have fix ftamens, I do not obferve fo confiderable a variation as one might expect in plants that are fo much the objects of culture; you will however fre- quently count more than fix ftamens in the fiowers of the tulip. The flowers of the clafs heptandria thould have {even ftamens; but you will often find thofe of the horfe- chefnut CLASSES. . chefnut faulty in this refpect. As you will alfo fome flowers in the three following clafles, céandria which has eight, ennean- dria which has nine, and decandria which has ten ftamens, as the names all imply. With a little attention however to the pro- portion of the parts, and by a repetition of your examination where any doubt arifes, you will find thefe ten clafles eafy to determine. No flowers. being known at prefent that have conftantly and regularly eleven fta- mens, the eleventh clafs in the fyftem of - Linnæus contains thofe which have twelve; and is therefore entitled dodecandria*. But the genera which have this precife number being few; and, as I obferved before, the number being uncertain when the ftamens are many, all plants are comprehended in this clafs that have any number of ftamens, from eleven to nineteen inclufive, provided they are difunited. All plants that have more feparate fta- mens than thefe belong to one of the two following clafles. Here then you muft take in another confideration, befides the number of the ftamens, to determine in which of thefe two clafles you are to fearch for your plant. This confideration is, the /tuation of the ftamens; which in the clats icofan- dria, is either on the calyx or corolla’, and R Plate re, * Plate 18. in 89 WD - LET FER ; IX. in the thirteenth, po/yandria, on the bafe or receptacle of the flower’. This difference of fituation is only to be attended to in thofe flowers which have many ftamens; for you will frequently obferve in the fifth clafs that the monopetalous flowers have the ftamens growing out of the corolla; but this circumftance has nothing to do in de- termining their clafs. The twelfth clafs has its name co/andria, from the flowers in it having ufually twenty ftamens or there- abouts, at leaft in the greater part of the genera: this circumftance, however, is not to determine the clafs; but all plants which have many ftamens, that is, more than nineteen, faftened either immediately, or mediately by means of the claws of the pe- tals, to the calyx, are to be referred to the clafs zcofandrie. To affitt you farther in dif- tinguifhing the flowers of this from thofe of the following clafs, it may be remarked that the calyx in this is monophyllous or all of one piece, and concave; and the corolla is fixed by its claw or fmall end into the car Jyx, inftead of the bafe or bottom of the flower, as it generally is in the other claffes. When on the contrary you find more than nineteen detached ftamens in the fame flower, with a piftil or piftils, and fituated on the bafe or receptacle of the flower, that plant muft belong to the clafs polyandria, w Plate 19. fignifying CLASSES. fignifying many ftamens, and the ftamens may vary in number from twenty to a thou- fand in the different genera. ‘Thefe alfg either have a polyphyllous calyx, that is, confifting of feveral folioles, generally five, or none at all ; though fometimes it falls off, as in the poppy when the flower opens. We have hitherto fuppofed you to find all the ftamens of the fame length, or nearly fo; or if not, ftill we prefume that you have not found a certain regular and deter- minate proportion in their lengths. Now, en the contrary, we fuppofe you to take up a flower which has an appearance of regu- Jarity in its whole ftruéture ; and that, on an attentive examination, you difcover four ftamens, not all equal in length, but ranged in one row, and the inner pair fhorter than the outer one. This plant will probably belong to the fourteenth clafs, the name of which is didynamia*, fignifying that two of the ftamens are ftronger than the others. Here you will immediately perceive that you are got among your old acquaintance, for it will ftrike you that all the flowers which have the character juft defcribed are either labiate or perfonate, and therefore that you were miftrefs of the clafs didyna- mia, before you knew that it had this Greek name’. All then that I need fav to you is, that Linnæus makes the eflential character * Plates 20. & 4. Y See Letter [V. to gt G2) LETT ER 1 FX. to confift, in the proportional arrangement of four ftamens above expreffed, accom- panied with one piftil, and invefted with an irregular monopetalous corolla. Thete is yet another clafs of thefe plants with proportional ftamens, which, though you.do not know it by the dreadful long name tetradynamia, is however one of your firft acquaintance under the gentler appella- tion of cruciform flowers”. Thefe, you re- member, have four ftamens longer than the other. two: this is the claffical character, and hence its name. For the other diftinc- tive marks by which this clafs is readily known at firft fight, you have them at your fingers ends. You are now in poffeffion of all thofe clafies which have the ftamens free, fepa- rate, difunited. If a flower that has both ftamens and piftils fhould prefent itfelf, in which you find the ftamens united at bot- tom, it certainly belongs to one of the three next claflés: and if, on the contrary, they are united at top, that is, the anthers form one body, it will belong to the nineteenth clafs. In the fixteenth clafs, called monadelphia*, the filaments are united fo as to form one regular membrane at bottom, whilft they are diftinét at top. Of this character you ‘have a clear and convincing inftance in z See Letter II. Plates 23. & 2. @\Plate-2.2. that CLASSES. that very common plant the mallow. In fome others, however, of this clais, the character is not fo evident, and without a careful infpeétion of the flowers to the very bottom, you might eafily be tempted to give them to ei clafs. Obferve then talk ther, that the flower has always a calyx, and frequently a double one: that the co- xolla confifts of five heart-fhaped petals: that the receptacle of the fruit, as it is call+ ed, or the column to which the feeds are fattened, projects above them in the centre of the flower: that the germs furround this in a ring: that all the ftyles are united at bottom ve form one body with the recep- tacle, but are divided at top into as many threads as there are germs: and that thefe germs grow into a kind of capfule divided into as many cells as there are piftils, or confifting of the {ame number of arils, which are loofe coats covering each feed feparately, and not eatily falling fama its In the fev puibdehila clafs, diadalp hia the filaments are united at bottom: not how- ever into one, but two bodies. Thete flow- ers alfo have but one piftil; the fruit is a degume or pod; and if I add that the flowers are papilionaceous, you will immediately difcover that this is another clafs with which you are perfectly acquainted, and with the form of whofe flowers you were {0 much delighted °. » See Letter TI. Plates 23. & 3. 94 LETTER) 1X. In the eighteenth clafs the filaments are united in three or more bundles, and the name of it is po/yadelphia ‘. ‘The union being generally at the bottom only, with- out extending up the filaments, and the flowers having no diftinguifhing character, you muft pull” out the ftamens, in order to be certain that the plant belongs to this clafs. The names of the three laft-men- tioned claffes fignify literally one, two, and three brotherhoods. If inftead of the filaments being joined at bottom, they are free and diftinét, but the anthers are connected together, fo as to form one body, then your plant will be found in the clats /yrgene/ia. But the flow- ‘ers in this clafs being {mall, and the above- mentioned dates not being the firft that will ftrike an examiner of lower it muit be added that they are compound; and this one word is fufficient to overcome the whole difficulty with you who know thefe flowers at firft fight, and have fo frequently difleéted the florets tant femi-florets which compofe them *. Though in the four laft claffes the fta- mens have been in fome fort united, yet both in thefe, and in all the former, ‘they have been found detached from the piftil, {o at leaft as that the one may be taken off from the plant without the other. But what ifa € Plate 24. * See Letter Vil. and Plates 25. to 20. & PI. 6. Syngenefia fignifies congeneration, or union of the anthers. flower CLASSES. LAS flower fhould occur to you in which you are unable to do this, but you find on the contrary that the ftamens grow upon the piftil itfelf ? Then, I anfwer, it belongs to a clafs entitled gyrandria *, which is the twentieth in the fyftem of Linnæus, and derives its name from this peculiar circum- ftance, by which it ftands infulated as it were, and detached from all the others. From the pofition of the piftils in this clafs, arifes a fingularity in the appearance and fhape of the flowers in moft of the genera ; and fometimes the receptacle is lengthened out in form of a ftyle, and bears both fta- mens and piftils upon it’. Hitherto you have been concerned with {uch plants only as have flowers which I call complete or perfect, becaufe they have both ftamens and: piftils. But a plant perhaps may have occurred to your obfervation in which you have found thefe parts always in feparate, diftinct flowers. In this cafe 1 beg leave to coin two words, and to call thofe which have only the ftamens ffam- niferous, and thofe which have only the piftils piftilliferous flowers. Now when you find thefe, and thefe only on the fame tree or plant, that tree or plant be- longs to the twenty-firft clafs in the ar- rangement of Linnzeus, called by him :10- necia®, aterm fignifying one houfe: the © Plate 30. f As in the common Arum, Curtis, Lond. 2. Mill. fig. 52. 1- J. Mill, illuftr. Ger. 834. 1. £ Plate 3r. flowers 95 96 LETTER IX. flowers of different kinds being produced iri the fame habitation, or on the fame indivi- dual plant. Whereas in the following clafs, thefe ftaminiferous and piftilliferous flowers are not merely feparate from each other, but are always found on diftinét plants of the fame fpecies, and in other refpeéts fo alike, as not to be diftinguifhed when they are out of flower. The name of this clafs therefore is dæcia*, fignifying two houfes, and implying that incomplete flowers only are found in different habitations, or on feparate trees or plants, never on the fame. There remainsnow only one poffible cafe to provide for, in.the arrangement of con- fpicuous flowers, which is this. Suppofe you find fome flowers that are complete, and at the fame time others which bear only ftamens or piftils, on the fame plant with the complete flowers, or on different plants -of the fame fpecies; there is a clafs, namely, the twenty-third, provided for the reception of fuch plants, and it is entitled polygamia’, from this variety in the flowers*. For plants with inconfpicuous flowers, as being of lefs confideration, there is only one clafs provided, and that is called cryptoga- Plate 32. i Plate 33. * Thunberg, and fome others, have funk the four claffes from Gynandria to Polygamia, melting the fpe- cies into other clafles. I fhall not difpute the propriety or convenience of this reformation: but it is my defign to explain the fyftem of Linnzus, as the great author himfelf delivered it. Mid, CLASSES. mia‘, from the circumftance of the fruéti- fication being concealed, cr not obvious to our eyes. For the flowers in the moft per- fect of thefe are hardly to be diftinguifhed without a glafs, and in many not even with it; nay, tne moft acute oblervers have not detected flowers in them all, though in all probability there is no vegetable without them. They will beeafily known from plants with confpicuous flowers, by their fingular ftructure ; as you will readily acknowledge when I inform you that the objects of this, the loweft clafs of vegetables, are ferns, mofles, fea- weeds, and fungufes: and there- fore when we talk of incon{picuous flowers, we do not mean to include fuch as are def- titute of a magnificent corolla, but fuch only as have not the ftamens and piftils vifible to the naked eye. But you are too good an ob- ferver to require fuch admonitions. By this time you are doubtlefs fufficiently fatigued, as well as myfelf, with all this dry matter; and what is worfe, you have not learnt to find out one plant: but patience, we are in the way, and have made great progrefs, though we are not arrived at the end of our journey. We will foon make another long ftage, unlefs you tell me you have enough, and in that cafe I promite to trouble you’ no more with this trafh: if it does not amufe and even intereft you, throw it at once into the fire. Plate 35 to 38. Mit: H DET TER 97 (198 oJ L'EUTITE RE K. EXPLANATION OF THE ORDERS IN THE LINNZAN SYSTEM. May the 18, 1774. RESUMING, dear coufin, that you have already examined abundance of {pring flowers, and determined their claffes, upon the inftructions contained in my laft letter, I fhall proceed in this to give you the characters of the orders, or divifions of the clafles. If you were to proceed at once to the examination of the fpecies, all would be confufion ; juft as if you attempted to eftimate a vaft mixt multitude, fluctuating in tumultuary diforder: but if you have patience to make a regular progrefs; to throw this multitude into large bodies, to fubdivide thefe into fmaller ones, and thefe again into others fo {mall as to command them well with the eye, you have at length a regular army, which you can number, arrange, and difcipline at your pleafure. We will now divide our twenty-four re- giments into their refpettive companies. Here I think you will not find fo much dif- ficulty as in the clafles : for the orders in the firft thirteen clafles are founded wholly . upon the #wmber of the piftils, fo that the chief of your tafk here will be to learn fo 4 many ORDERS. inany new terms, which are formed by put- ting gynia inftead of andria to the Greek words fignifying the numbers: as monogy- nia, one piltil; digynia, two piltils; and , fo on. _ After the firft thirteen clafles we no longer ufe the piftils for the purpofe of fub- dividing the clafles into orders. In the clafs didynamia it would be nugatory, be- caufe you have obferved that all the flowers of the ringent tribe have one piftil, and no more. Here then we have recourfe to ano- ther circumftance which anfwers extremely well. For we find that moft of the plants which have a labiate flower have four naked feeds at the bottom of the calyx; and that the perfonate flowers are fucceeded by a capfule containing many {mall feeds: hence arifes an elegant, commodious, obvious, and natural divifion of the fourteenth clafs ‘into two orders, gymnofpermia ™ and angio- fpermia” ; the firit containing all the ringent flowers with four naked feeds ripening in the calyx: the fecond fuch as have the feeds contained in a bilocular pericarp, or feed-veflel of two cells, and faftened to a receptacle in the middie of it. In thé next clafs, tetradynamia, the flow- ers have alfo one piftil and no more. Here again it is found convenient to take the fruit HP 70) f. I Ph. A » Plate 20. f, 4 te I be Ph AM ET “a 2 for 99 190 LETTER x. for the fubdivifion of it into orders. T'hefe are called fiviculofa° and Aliquofa ?, from the form of the fruit, which we call //cle and filique ; having only the word pod current in our language, which will not fuffice to dif- tinguifh thefe from each other, nor from the pod in the leguminous tribe. The plants of the firft order then have a /iicle or fhort roundifh pericarp; thofe of the fe- cond a /iligue or oblong narrow pericarp: both are bilocular; but the ftruéture has been already fufficiently explained 4. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th claffes it is found beft to take the orders from the num- ber of ftamens. Here then is no fort of difficulty ; and, what is very pleafant, you have no new terms to burden the memory. The chief difficulty, with refpeét to the orders, lies in the clafs /yngene/ia. Tourne- fort’s divifion of the compound flowers into flofculous, femi-flofculous, and radiate, was pretty and obvious; but Linnæus’s is ab- {trufe and difficult. I will explain it to you however as clearly as I can. You are per- fect miltrefs of a compound flower, and the different forts of florets of which it is compoted', 1 muft next inform you, there- fore, that what you know by the name of compound, is called by Linnæus a flofculous flower; and that he calls the florets, tudu- ©: Plate bale ol, P Plates 21 & 2. 4 See Letter II. r See Letter VI. 7 lous ORDERS. fous flofcules, and the femi-florets, /gulate flofcules; this being premifed, we may ufe the language of Linnzus or Tournefort as we pleafe. Now if you examine thefe flof- cules nicely, you will difcover that they have fometimes both ftamens and piftil; but you will fee that others have ftamens only ; others again a piftil only: and laftly, fome have neither ftamens nor piftil. The firft of thefe I call perfect * flofcules; the fecond flaminiferous, the third pi/filliferous, and the fourth zeuter flofcules. All thefe variations are to be found both in the tubu- lous and ligulate flofcules; and muft be well attended to, becaufe on thefe varia- tions, aflifted by the form of the florets Linneus has founded the four firft orders of this clafs. Polygamia equals * is the name of the fir order. Polygamia : is the family name, which this has in common with all the or- ders except the laft; it is ufed only in op- pofition to monogamia, and implies that there are many florets inclofed within one common calyx; which is your idea of a compound flower. The peculiar name æqualis fignifies equal, regular, or alike, and implies that the whole Mowers is regu- lar, and that all the component flofcules therefore, whether tubulous or ligulate, are alike; and indeed they are not only fo, * Perfect at leaft in appearance, if not always really fo. LE, QO; fi, eee aye toe E32 but IGI 102 LETSER: %K. but likewife perfect, or all furnifhed with {tamens and piitil; and therefore each fol- lowed by a feed. If thefe flowers have any ligulate flofcules, all the reft are fo; if any foe flofcules, all the reft are fo likewile, except in two genera, Atraétylis and Barnadefia, which have radiate flowers. In the opt order, polygamia fuperfiua”, all the florets of the difk, centre or middle of the lower are perfect; thofe of the ray or exterior part piftilliferous: both of them produce feed. Moft of the flowers in this order are radiate, and then they are eafily known by the circumftance of having fer- tile feeds both in the difk and ray: but there are fome which have tubulous florets only, and appear like the difk of a radiate flower, as a daify would look when fpoiled of its white femi-florets ; whence Ray called them di/coid flowers: in thefe however, on an attentive infpection, you will difcover that fome of the outer ones are deficient in ftamens at leaft, if not in corolla top. Theie are by much the largeft orders, each of them containing almoft double the num- ber of genera, that are in the three remaining orders of compound flowers taken together. The third order of thefe compound flow- ers, or of the clafs /yagenefia, 1s entitled frufiranea*. The character of the order is, that the florets in the difk or centre are i UPL. 6s fac pl MM LT ME a ff perfedt, ORDERS. perfect, and produce feed; whilft thofe of the ray are imperfe@, and therefore abor- tive or fruftrate, whence the name. This is a very fmall order, containing only eight genera; of which feven have radiate flow- ers, and the eighth, which however is a numerous one, has capitate flowers like the thiftles, but differing from them in having either neuter or abortive florets next the calyx, as in the common blue-bottle; in which the neuter flofcules diftinguith themfelves by being much larger than the others; but on examination they are mere corolla, and nothing elfe. In the fourth order, nece/Jaria™, the florets in the difk or middle are apparently perfe&, but are not really fo, and therefore produce no perfect feed; whilit the piftilliferous flof- ecules in the ray or outfide of the flower are fertile. All thefe have radiate flowers, ex- cept in two genera, wherein the exterior fertile florets have fcarcely any corolla. In the fifth order, polygamia fegregata*, there is a common calyx, as in the foregoing orders; but befides that, there is in this order a partial one, including one or more florets, which are thus feparated from each other in a manner different from the reft of the orders: and hence the name. By this order the compound approach the aggre- gate flowers; fuch as the teafel, fcabious, &c. atl of Oe Se Pe x Pl, 28. Fa but 103 104 LETTER x. but then thefe have not the character of the clafs fyngenefia in the union of the anthers. The fixth or laft order is entitled fimply monogamia*®, becaufe it confifts of plants with fimple, not compound flowers, which circumitance is abundantly fufficient to dif- criminate this order, provided you attend at the fame time to the claffical character. We have now, dear coufin, happily, I hope, pafled the fool’s bridge, and are arrived fafely on the other fide, where the way is plain, and we fhall foon get pleafantly to the end of our ftage. In fhort, the orders of the three following clafles, gynandria, monacia, and diecia, being founded upon the ftamens, and taking their names from the foregoing clafles, according to the num- ber, and union or difunion of the ftamens in the refpective flowers; there is nothing new to be learnt in any of thefe. The twenty-third clafs indeed, po/ygamra, has three orders, arifing from the triple mode in which the three forts of flowers may be arranged; either on the fame plant, on two diftinét plants, or on three. When the perfect and imperfect flowers are on the {ame plant, the order is entitled monwcia?. When the perfect flowers are on one plant, and the imperfect ones on a fecond of the Y Pl. 29.—The violets are a good inftance of this erder. 2-Plate 33. Acer or maple. L Jame Sk 7 ORDERS. fame fpecies, the order is then entitled æ- cia*, And when the perfec flowers are on one plant, ftaminiferous ones on a fecond, and piftilliferous ones on a third, all of the fame fpecies; then fuch plant belongs to an order called tricia’, fignifying three houfes; the three forts of flowers having three diftinét habitations. The laft clafs having no flowers whofe parts are difcernible by the naked eye; and therefore called cryptogamia: having alfo many genera in which we are uncertain what the frudtification is; many in which we can difcern no fruétification at all: the characters of the orders can no longer be taken from the ftamens and piftils. For- tunately the plants of this clafs have a very particular ftructure, ferving very well both to afcertain the claffical character, and the divifion of it into four Orders; which are called, I. Filices, or Ferns. Il. Mu/ci, or Moffes. III. Alge, or Sea-weeds; and, IV. Fungi, or Fungufes. The ferns © moftly have their fru@ifica- tion upon the backs of their leaves. This, when examined by the microfcope, appears to confift of a fcale arifing from the leaf, and opening on one fide; and under that, fome little balls on pedicles, furrounded by an elaftic ring: in due time the balls burft, + The afh is an inftance of this order. ° as in the Fig, © Plate 35. and 106 LETTER %. and throw out a fine duft, which is fup- pofed to be the feed. Linnaus makes the {cale to be a calyx: and the globules are probably fo many captules or pericarps. The moffes * have {mall threads growing out of the bofoms of the leaves, terminated by a fmall body, the whole refembling ftamens : accompanied by little thorter threads fuppofed to be piftils, fometimes on the fame plant with the former, and fome- times on another. The firft of thefe Lin- næus took for anthers, and actually called them fo; but he fufpeéted them afterwards to be capfules, and fuch they turn out to be, on a narrower infpection with greater macnihers. : Of the alee * we know too little about the fruétification to give a regular charaéter of the order, which includes not only the fea- weeds, but the liverworts, &c. thefe have been ranged by others among the mofles. in the liverworts there are little bodies vifi- ble enough, which are taken for ftaminifer- ous and piftilliferous flowers, diftin & from each other; ; but experiments are yet want- ing to afcertain them with precifion. On she {ea-weeds are little bladders, {ome hol- low with hairs within, others filled with a gelly-like fubftance} and thefe are fuppofed to be the flowers and fruits. x If the fungu/es * have any fructification, it & Plate 36. © Plate 37. f Plate 38. ORDERS. | 107 is imagined to be underneath, in the gills, pores, &c. But I will not detain you with thefe dregs of vegetable nature, in which you will take no pleafure till you have im- bibed an enthufiaftic pañlion for botany. After the.clafs cryptogamia Linnzus has given the pa/ms, in a twenty-fifth clafs, or appendix, without any character. I pre- fume he hasthus thrown them into the rear of his fyftem, partly becaufe he could not have ranged this proud fet of trees accord- ing to his laws, without tearing them from - each other; and partiy becaufe they have not been examined with fufficient accuracy ; you will icarcely have an opportunity of ex- amining this natural clafs, the moft remark- able characters of which are, that the fta- miniferous flowers are diftin@ from the pif- tilliferous, on the fame or different indivi- duals; except in one genus, which has com- plete or perfect Howers accompanied by fta- ‘miniferous ones on the fame individual; all proceeding from a /pathe or fheath, and growing upon a /fpadix®. So that thefe trees belong to the three laft claffes of con- fpicuous flowers in the artificial fyftem. ® The /padix is the receptacle in this tribe, and has no Englifh name. In another place, Linnzus, in difri- buting vegetables into, nine nations, affigns the firft to _the palms, calling them Princes of India, bearing their fructification on a fpadix, within a fpathe; flowing ; remarkable for their prodigious height ; diftinguithed by an unvaried, undivided, perennial trunk; crowned at top by an evergreen buth of leaves; rich in abundance of large, fine fruit. Thus, 108 LETTER X. Thus, dear coufin, we have accomplifhed our fecond ftage. And this letter not being of fo unconfcionable a length as the former, T have accompanied it with two tables ; one of the claffical charaëters, and Le Ex= plaining thofe of the orders: that after read- ing my diffufe explanation, you may have the whole under your eye at once; and thus perhaps at one view form a better idea of the arrangement of vegetables into claffes and orders, than you could do from many detached pages". We are not yet arrived at {pecific or individual information, but we are on the borders, as I fhall convince you in my next letter. In the mean time you have fufficient employment for your eyes and attention, without doors as well as with- in: for if you had taken up this trafh of mine only in your drefling room, you would long fince have thrown i % into the fires if it meets with a better fate, 1 owe it merely to the beautiful objets which your fair hands have cropt in the garden and fields. Always give the preference to the latter where you can, both for the fake of exercife, and having your plants in their natural ftate. Adieu, dear coufin; continue your kind in- dulgence to my prate. * See Curtis’s beautiful explanation of Linnzus’s Syftem of Botany, with coloured plates. And an Il- fuftration of the Syftem of Linnæus, by John Miller ; who has given a plate of one genus in every clafs and order. Lond. 1779, octavo. The Outlines of LINNzæUS’s Syftem of Vegetables. [To face page 108.] i) A. Plants with confpicuous Flowers. B. 1. All complete, or furnifhed with Stamen and Piftil. C. With Stamens feparate from the Piftil. D. And feparate from each other. E. All of the fame length, or not proportionably longer than each other. F. In which the number only is to be confidered. I. Monanprra.. One Stamen. II. Dianprra. Two Stamens. III. Trranpria. ‘Three Stamens. IV, TETRANDRIA. Four equal Stamens. V. PENTANDRIA. Five Stamens. VI. HExANDRIA. Six equal Stamens. VII. HEPTANDRIA. Seven Stamens. ‘ VIII..Ocranpria. Eight Stamens. IX. ENNEANDRIA. Nine Stamens. X. Decanpria. Ten Stamens. XI. Dopecanpria. From 11 to 19 Stamens inclufive. F. In which the fituation is alfo to be confidered. XII. Icosanpria. About 20 Stamens on the Calyx or Corolla. XII. Poryanpria. Twenty Stamens or more on the receptacle or bafe of the Flower. E. Some Stamens proportionably longer than others. XIV. Dipynamia. Four Stamens, two longer. One Piftil. Flowers ringent. XV. TETRADYNAMIA. Six Stamens, four longer. One Piftil. Flowers cruciform. D. Stamens coherent at bottom only, or by the Filaments. XVI. Monaperruia. Filaments united into one body. XVII. DrapezPxiA. Filaments in two bodies. Corolla papilionaceous. XVII. PotyapetrHia. Filaments in 3 or more parcels. D. Stamens coherent at top only, or by the Anthers. XIX. Syncznesta. Anthers united, 5 Filam. diftin@, 1 Piftil, Flowers compound. C. With Stamens growing out of the Piftil itfelf. XX. Gynanpria. Stamens on the Piftil, not on the Receptacle. B. 2. All incomplete; or which have Stamens only, or Piftils only. XXI. Monoecra. Each fort of Flower feparate, but on the fame Plant. XXII. Droecra. Each fort of Flower, on diftin@ Plants only. B. 3. Flowers of the firft fort, together with one or both of the fecond fort. XXII. PoLyGAMIA. A. Flowers inconfpicuous. XXIV. Cryprocamia. Flowers very fmall, invifible, or not yet difcovered. XXV. Pazms. Flowers borne on a Spadix, and within a Spathe, moftly incomplete, ti 12 4; ( 109 ) SKETCH AND EXPLANATION OF THE ORDERS IN THE SYSTEM OF LINNÆUS:s I. Monandria. One /famen. 1. Monogynia. One pi/fil. 2. Digynia. Two pifiils. II. Diandria. Two ffamens. 1. Monogynia. One pi/iil. 2. Digynia. Two piftils. 3. Trigynia. Three pifiils. Ill. Triandria. Three flamens. 1. Monogynia. One pi/til. 2. Digynia. Two piffils. 3. Trigynia. Three piftils. IV. Tetrandria. Four equal fiamens. 1. Monogynia. One piftil. 2. Digynia. Two piffils. 3. Tetragynia. Four piffils. V. Pentandria. Five flamens. 1. Monogynia. One pi/frl. . Digyuia. Two piflils. . Trigynia. Three piftils. . Tetragynia. Four pifiils. . Pentagynia. Five pi/fils. . Polygynia. Many piffils. VI. Hexandria. Six equal flamens. 1. Monogynia. One pifiil. 2. Digynia. Two piftils. 3. Trigynia. Three piffils. 4. Tetragynia. Four pifiils. 5. Polygynia. Many pi/fils. VII. Heptandria, Am BL Wb Le fe) LErweR K: VII. Heptandria. Seven framens, - Monogynia. One piffil. . Digynia. Two pifiils. 3. Tetragynia. Four pi/iils. 4. Heptagynia. Seven piflils. VII. Oëtandria. Erghf flamens. 1. Monogynia. One piftil. 2. Digynia. Two pifiils. 3. Trigynia. Three pifiils. 4. Tetragynia. Four piftils. IX. Enneandria. Nine flamens. 1. Monogynia. One piftil. 2. Trigynia. Three piftils. 3. Hexagynia. Szx piffils. X. Decandria. Ten flamens. 1. Monogynia. Oxe piffil. 2. Digynia., Two piffils. 3. Trigynia Three piftils. 4. Tetragynia. Four piftils. 5. Pentagynia. Five piffils. 6. Decagynia. Ten piflils. Dodecandria. Ywelve flamens, (from 11 to Ig.) . Monogynia. One piftil. . Digynia. Tavo piftils. . Trigynia. Three piftils. . Pentagynia. Five pi/tils. . Dodecagynia: Twelve piftils. XII. Icofandria. Twenty flamens, (on thé. calyx or corolla.) 1, Monogynia. One pyftil. 2. Digynia. Two piflils. 3 Frigynia. Three piftils. | 4. Pentagynias ear XE: No Un + UW ORDERS. 4. Pentagynia. Ærve pifiils. 5. Polygynia. Many pi/ftils. XIII. Polyandria. Many jtamens, (from 20 to 1000, on the receptacle.) 1, Monogynia. One pi/til. 2. Digynia. Two piflils. 3. Trigymia. Three piftils. 4. Tetragynia. Four pifiils. 5. Pentagynia. Five piftils. 6. Hexagynia, 7x pris. 7. Polygynia. Many piftils. XIV. Didynamia. Four Jlamens, 2 longer and 2 fhorter. 1. Gymnotpermia. Four naked feeds. 2. Angiofpermia. Seeds inclofed in a pericarp. XV. Tetradynamia. x flamens, 4 longer and 2 fborter. 1, Siliculofa. Pericarp generally round- ifh, with the fiyle permanent or con- tinuing, called a filicle. 2. Siliquofa. Pericarp very long and | narrow, called a filique or pod. XVI. Monadelphia. One brotherhood; or filaments all connected. 1. Triandria. Three flamens. 2. Pentandria. Five flamens. 3. Ottandria, Eight flamens. 4. Decandria. Ten flamens. 5. Endecandria. Eleven flamens. 6. Dodecandria. . Twelve Jfraniens. 7. Polyandria. Many flamens. XVII. Diadelphia. Two brotherhoods: or filaments in two bodies. 1, Pentandria. 112 LE Tuer’ . Pentandria. Five flamens. I 2. Hexandria. Six flamens. 3. Oëtandria. Ezght flamens. 4. Decandria. Ten ftamens. XVIII. Polyadelphia. Many brotherhoods : filaments in three or more parcels. 1. Pentandria. Frve flamens. 2. Dodecandria. Twelve flamens, 3. Icofandria. Twenty flamens. 4. Polyandria. Many flamens. XIX. Syngenefia. Congeneration. Anthers united. 1. Polygamia Æqualis. // the flof- cules perfect, and the whole flower regular. 2. Polygamia fuperflua. Perfect fof- cules in the difk: pifiilliferous flof- cules 1n the ray: both producing feed. . Polygamia Fruftranea. Flofcules in the diff perfect, and producing feed: in the ray imperfect, and without feed. 4. Polygamia Neceflaria. Flofcules in appearance perfect in the difk pro- ducing no feed: piftilliferous flofcules in the ray producing feed. os Poly gamia Segregata. Many flori- Serous calyxes contained in one come mon calyx, and forming one flower. 6. Monogamia. Flowers not compound, asin thelother- order 5, but fimple, as in all the other clafes. XX. Gynandria. Stamens grow mae the piftil. . Diandria. Oo © ONT ANP B+ ORDERS. . Diandria. Two framens. . Triandria. Three flamens. . Tetrandria. Four ffamens. . Pentandria. Five flamens. Hexandria. 7x flamens. Oftandria. Erght flamens. . Decandria. Ten flamens. . Dodecandria. Twelve flamens. . Polyandria. Many flamens. XXI. Moneecia. One houje. Imperfect flow- COny On BL HD + \O It. XXII. ers feparate on the fame plant. . Monandria. One ffamen. . Diandria. Two ffamens. . Triandria. Three flamens. . Tetrandria. Four flamens. . Pentandria. Five flamens. . Hexandria. Sx ffamens. . Heptandria. Seven ffamens. » Polyandria. Many flamens. . Monadelphia. Fi/aments unitedin one. 10. Syngenefia. Anthers united. Gynandria. Stamens on the piftil. Dicecia. Two houfes. Imperfeët flow- ers on diftinel individuals. 1. Monandria. One framen. 2. Diandria. Two ffamens. © CONT Ain LU) . Triandria. Three flamens. . Tetrandria. Four flamens. . Pentandria, Five fiamens. . Hexandria. Szx flamens. - O&andria. Exght fiamens. . Enneandria. Nine flamens. . Decandria. aN Pre. , Dode- 113 114 LE meet! x o. Dodecandria. Twelve flamens. 1. Polyandria. Many flamens. 12. Monadelphia. Filaments unitedmone. 13. Syngenefia. Authers united. 14. Gynandria. Stamens on the pifitl. XXIIL Polygamia Perfect flowers, ac- companied with one or both forts of 1mperfeét flowers. 1. Monœcia. Perfect and imperfect flowers on the fame plant. 2. Dicecia. Perfect flowers on one plant, and imperfect on another. 3. Triœcia. Perfect flowers on one plant, flaminiferous flowers on a Jecond, and piftilliferous flowers on a third. XXIV. Cryptogamia. Finition ere 1. Filices. Ferns: bearing feed on the back of the leaves. 2. Mufci. Mofes: having imperfect fiowers diftin, and the feeds in a capfule, often covered with a veil. 3. Alge. Having imperfect flowers di iftinél, and the feeds either like a meal on the leaves or inclofed in bladders. 4. Fungi. Having no difcernible flow- ers, but feeds im the gills, pores, cups, Se. XXV. Palmæ: Pa/ms. Flowers on a fpa- dix, in a Spathe or fheath: gene- rally flaminiferous and piftilliferous diftinc. LET VER. Gorge) LEE ERS XL OF THE CLASS MONANDRIA. June the roth, 1774. T length, dear coufin, I am going to put you in the way of examining plants by yourfelf, and determining the ge- nus and fpecies, as you have before done the clafs and order. You have been already initiated in my firft letters; but now I fhall proceed in more form, and prefent you with one plant or more of each clafs; explaining to you as we go along {eit others of the natural te : which form, or are contained in the artificial ones. The firft clafs, Monandria, in the Syftem of Linnzus is avery {mall one ; comprifing, as you have feen already, in the fecond ta- ble which I fent you, but two orders. There are alfo but eighteen genera in it, and forty-four fpecies. Very few of thefe plants are natives of Europe; and the In- dian forts are not eafy to be met with, at leaft in flower, in the beft hot-houfes. There is a plant, however, not very un- common in ponds, ditches, and flow muddy ftreams, called Hippuris, which is of this clafs, and of the firit order. It has a fingle jointed ftalk, and at each joint is a dozen Z leaves Hippurisq 126 Limi bk XT. leaves or more, placed all round in a whorl, which is a form that Linnæus calls Vertici/- late. ‘To each of thefe leaves, clofe to the fialk, belongs a little flower, confifting of a fingle ftamen and piftil, one feed, and no- thing more; for it has neither calyx nor corolla. You will find the ftamen fitting on the germ terminated by a bifid anther; and behind this is the ftyle, which 1s ter- minated by a ftigma tapering to a point. This will be amply fufficient for you to determine the Ærppuris', which perhaps may not grow near you; and if it does, you muft not hazard wetting and dirtying your- felf in a muddy ditch. Since therefore it is abundant in the moat of the neighbour- ing abbey, I have inclofed fome fpecimens of it in my tin pocket cafe, which may {erve afterwards to bring home your plants frefh and cool, if you are not already pro- vided with fo neceflary a thing. If you are not ftruck with the beauty of the Hip- puris, you will at leaft efteem it for its mo- defty and fimplicity. F have one favour to afk in return for my tin box and its con- tents, which is, that wheñever you call this plant by its name, you will pronounce the middle fyllable long, and not fhort, as I do not know that this plant has been noticed enough to have a common name in Englifh. In the books it is called Female Horfe-Tail or Mare’s Tail. Fi- ured in Curtis, Flora Londinenfis. Fafcic. IV. late I. and Pl. 7. f. 2. of this work. many MONANDRIA. many do: for I am folicitous to pronounce, as well as think, like you. I have faid no- thing here of the diftinétion between genus and fpecies, becaufe there is only one fort of Hippuris. I muft however inform you, once for all, that we invariably take the characters of the genera from the parts of fructification ; and thofe of the fpecies from the other parts of the plant, particularly the leaves. There is another plant of this clafs and order, which your gardener may poffibly have in the hot-houfe. I dare fay you know it by the upright growth, reedy appear- ance, and fine fcarlet flowers. Perhaps you have already found fome difficulty in determining the clafs and order; for there is no filament, but the anther grows to the edge of a kind of petal, which Linnæus calls the Neéfary: the ftyle alfo, which is Jance-fhaped, grows to the fame petal. The calyx confifts of three leaves: the corolla is cut into fix parts, five erect, and the fixth reflexed; the feeds are contained in a capfule or veflel of three cells, are round and very hard; whence this plant has the name of Indian fhot. Linnæus calls it Ca- na. Thus much for the Genus, of which there are three fpecies at leaft; fome make five. Linnzeus has diftinguifhed his three fpecies thus. 1. Canna indica*; by its * This is figured by John Miller, in his Illuftrations of the Sexual Syftem :—and in PI, 7. f, 1. of this work. | ae ovate 117 Canna. 118 ET FE OR XI ovate leaves, fharp-pointed towards both ends, and marked with nerves. 2. C. an- guftifolia, Narrow-leaved Indian fhot, by its lance-fhaped, petiolate leaves, marked alfo with nerves. 3. C. glauca, Sea-green Indian foot, by its lance-fhaped petiolate leaves, fmooth or without nerves’. Yours will be one of the two firft fpecies, for the laft has yellow flowers. This order contains feveral interefting plants, fuch as ginger, cardamom, grain of paradife, Arabian cof- tus, turmerick, galangale, &c. all which, with Canna, belong to a natural tribe enti- tled Scitaminea, from the Latin word /c- tum, which when tacked to edulium im- plies eatables of a pleafant tafte. They have not only the fame place in the artifi- cial fyftem, but they agree farther in hav- ing their feeds enclofed in a veflel below the receptacle, as you perceive plainly it is in the canna: the divifions alfo of the ca- lyx, corolla, and feed veflel, are ufually three. Short flights are beft, till you have tried your wings. My next may poffibly be a little longer, if you give me leave. Adieu for a few days. ! The Hortus Kewenfis has only two fpecies ; mak- ‘ing Linnæus’s fecond, a variety only of the firft, LEITTES Von) Ly By be Ey Ro XI OF THE CLASS DIANDRIA, June 17th, 1774. OU have ftarved a week, dear coufin, upon the meagre fare of my laft: I can now promife you more variety, having a larger range and better choice. The fe- cond clafs of plants, dandria, has 35 ge- nera, and 265 fpecies. Linneus has done every thing in his power to facilitate the inveftigation of plants; and nothing contributes more to this than the clearnefs and order of his ar- rangement, and his leading on the ftudent by regular fteps from generals to particu- lars. Thus, after you have fettled the clafs and order of your plant, you perceive that each order, when numerous, is thrown into feveral great divifions, before you are prefented with the generic characters. This fhortens your inquiry confiderably ; for, in the firft order of this clafs, inftead of having the characters of thirty-five ge- nera to choofe out of, you have by this means only eight or nine, or perhaps no more than three, or even one. ‘That you may underftand this the better, I will give By you Jafmi- num. LETTER XII. you Linnzus’s fubdivifion of the firft order of this clafs. Dianpria MoNoGyNia. 1. Flowers inferior, monopetalous, regu- lar, 8 genera. 2. inferior, monopetalous, irregu- Jar, with feeds inclofed in a veflel: 9 genera. 3- ———— inferior, monopetalous, irregu- lar, with naked feeds: 9 genera. 4. ——— inferior, pentapetalous : 1 genus. 5. ———— fuperior: 3 genera. So that if your plant happens to belong to the fourth divifion, it is determined at once: andin all the reft your fearch is much facilitated ™. In this clafs, though by no means one of the moft numerous, you will not be at a lofs, either in your garden or in the fields, for examples. You are well acquainted with moft forts of jafmine. ‘Take any of them, and you will perceive immediately that it belongs to the firft divifion of the firft order. Com- pare as many of the fpecies as you can meet with in flower, and you will find that they all agree in the characters of it. ™ It is not neceflary to be more particular with the Englifh reader, fince the botanical fociety at Lichfield have publifhed a tranflation of Linnæus’s Syftem of Vegetables, But DIANDRI A. But other circumftances are to be found in them all, called generic characiers: thefe in the prefent cafe are: that the co- rolla is monopetalous, falver-fhaped*, and the border divided into five fegments: the anthers fmall, and lying within the tube of the corolla: the feed-veflel a berry of two cells: and the feeds covered with an aril or loofe coat. Having feen in what all the jafmines agree, to: determine the clafs, order, with its divifions, and genus; now attend to the circumftances in which they differ, to fettle the fix fpecies. For this the leaves will nearly fuffice, thus: 1. Leaves pinnate, oppofite: lobes diftin&. Fafinine oficinal, Curt. Magaz. 31. PL 'É 2 2. Leaves pinnate, oppofite: lobes con- fluent. Ÿ. Catalonian. 3. Leaves ternate, oppofite. F. Azorian. 4. Leaves ternate and fimple, alternate : _ branches angulate: F. fhrubby. 5. Leaves ternate and pinnate, alternate, acute: branches angulate. 7. dwarf. 6, Leaves ternate and pinnate, alternate, obtufe: branches round. FY. /weet- Jcented. * If the reader be at a lofs for the meaning of terms, there is no want of books to confult; fuch as Lee’s and Rofe’s Introductions, Berkenhout’s Diétionary, Milne’s Inftitutes, &c. The 123 2122 EET ER? RIT, The three firft have the corolla white; in the three laft it is yellow. If you in- quire after your favourite Arabian jafmine, it belongs to another genus, Nycfanthes, becaufe it has the calyx and corolla divided into eight fegments. The Cape jafnune is Veronica. of another clafs, the fifth; and of courfe has another name, Gardenza. Several other trees and fhrubs belong to this fame firft divifion. Privet, Phillyrea, Olive, and the Lilacs. ‘Thefe have all a quadrifid corolla; and are diftinguifhed by their fruit, which in privet is a derry with four feeds; in phillyrea a Jerry with one feed ; in olive a drupe; in the lilacs a bilo- cular capfule. ‘The common lilac has heart- fhaped leaves; a circumftance fufficient to diftinguifh it from the Perfian, which has lance-fhaped leaves. As to the different colours of the flowers in the firft—white, blue, and red, they form but varieties : colour being rarely permanent enough to conftitute fpecific differences. In the fecond divifion is a genus, named from a female faint, Veronica: it is a very numerous one, containing no lefs than forty fpecies. Here therefore Linnæus has done with the genus, as he did be- fore with the order—he has thrown it into three principal divifions from the manner of flowering. 1. Such as bear the flowers in fpikes. 2. Such as bear them in racemes or bunches. 3. Such as produce them fingly. This DIANDRIA. This genus is eafily known by the mo- nopetalous, rotate, or wheel-fhaped co- rolla, divided into four fegments, the loweft of which is narrower than the reft; and the bilocular, heart-fhaped, flatted capfule. One fpecies is very common among bufhes, and in the edges of paftures. Its beautiful blue flowers have doubtlefs at- tracted your notice, and in falling off too eafily, have given occafion, perhaps to a leffon on the fhort duration of our enjoy- ments, or the fleeting nature of female charms, to your lovely daughter. If it be not already paft flowering, for May is its feafon, you will find that it belongs to the fecond divifion; or even if it be, the oval, wrinkled leaves, indented about the edge, and fitting clofe to the ftalk, together with the weak trailing ftems, unlefs upheld by the bufhes, will fo clearly point out this humble plant to you, that you cannot well be miftaken °. If this fpecies however is out of blow, you will certainly find another? in dry pat- tures or heaths, efpecially upon old ant- hills: it may perhaps have efcaped you; the flowers being fmall, and of a pale co- Jour; not however without their beauty, on a nearer furvey. ‘This belongs to the ° Veronica Chamædrys. Wild Speedwell or Ger- mander. Curtis, Lond. I. 2.—PI. 8. f. 1. ? Veronica officinalis. Officinal Speedwell. Curtis, Lond. III. 1, firft 124 Salvia, EBT eR XL firft divifion; having the flowers growing in fpikes, coming out chiefly from the fide of the plant, at fome diftance from the main ftem; the leaves are oppofite, and the ftalks trail along the ground. It has the trivial name of officinal, becaufe an in- fufion of it is fometimes ufed medicinally. Other fpecies are common by the fides of ditches and brooks, whence they have the name of Water Speedwell, or Brooklme®: thefe are of the fecond divifion: and three {pecies of the third divifion are abundant amone corn, in the fpring". I know not how it 1s, but there is a connexion between this clafs and the four- teenth. Pmguicula or Butterwort has a perfonate flower. Some fpecies of Vervain have two ftamens, others four of unequal lengths; among the latter 1s our common or oficinal Vervain*; whence fome authors have removed it to the clafs ddynamia, Sage, Rofemary, and others, have labiate flowers, and in every refpect fo refemble the plants of the fourteenth clafs, that they fhould naturally be placed there; but hav- ing only two ftamens, the artificial fyftem ranges them in this clafs. Sage feems to form the connecting link between the two clafies; for in this genus are rudiments of 4 Veronica Becabunga. Curtis, Lond. II. 3. is one of thefe. ; * Veronica arvenfis Curtis, Lond. II. 2. agreftis Curtis, Lond. I. 1. hederifolia Curtis, Lond. II, 1. * Curtis, Lond. I. 41. ' | another DIANDRIA. another pair of ftamens, but without an- thers. The ftruéture of the ftamens in the fage is fingular, and merits your obferva- tion. The two filaments are very fhort, but two others are faftened to thefe tranf verfely by the middle; and at one end of thefe laft is a gland, at the other an anther. This circumftance diftinguifhes the genus from all others, and is called its effential character. If you compare the flowers of fage and rofemary together, you will find them agree in moft other particu- lars ; but rofemary has not this character : it has very long filaments, bending towards the cafque or upper lip of the corolla. The* genus Sa/via or Sage has no lefs than fifty-two fpecies. Our common gar- den fage‘, of which there are feveral varie- ties, has-the flowers growing in fpikes, the fegments of the calyx acute, and the leaves of an oblong ovate form, entire, and very flightly notched about the edges. There are two forts commonly wild in Europe °, * not very unlike each other; but rather clarys than /ages: You will be at no lofs to know them when you fee them. ‘To dif- tinguifh them from each other obferve that Meadow Clary * has the leaves oblong-heart- fhaped, and notched about the edges; the * Salvia officinalis Linnæï. PI. 8. f. 3. Ger. 764. * Salvia pratenfis & verbenaca; but the latter only is common in England. * Salya pratenfis. Ger. 769. 3. upper 126 LETTER , XII. upper ones embracing the ftalks; the flow- ers grow in almoft naked whorls, and the upper lip of the corolla is glutinous. The Wild Clary™ has the leaves {errate, finuate, and {moothifh: the tube of the corolla very fmall in comparifon with the calyx, which opens wide. But enough for our fecond excurfion, efpecially as I propofe that we fhould take a third very foon. w Salvia verbenaca. Ger. 771. 1. The edition of Gerard’s Herbal which is quoted here and elfewhere, is that which received the additions of Johnfon, and was printed in 1636. L'ÉPEER by tee) ae EE, Row XU OF CORN AND GRASSES. June the 24th, 1774. HAVE haftened this letter, dear cou- fin, left the induftrious mower fhould have fpoiled our harveft. The brilliancy of the prefent feafon will perhaps have quickened his fteps: but at the worft, he will have left you fome gleanings about the hedges. The tribe which I now recommend to your examination, is the moft known and general of any; it is the moft pleafant to the eye, and of the moft extended ufe, fince it furnifhes man with the beft portion of his nourifhment, and at the fame time is the whole fupport of many among the _beafts, and of a large proportion of birds. The moft rigid critic cannot accufe us of mifpending our time, when we are en- gaged in the contemplation of fo ufeful a tribe of plants as that which contains all the different fpecies of corn and grafies. The former being larger, requiring more care and culture, becaule they are annual, and being immediately neceflary to the fup- port of man, and the animals about him, in this and many other countries ; the fpecies 5 are LETTER XMM. are univerfally known and diftinguifhed. But this is not the cafe in the latter; grafs vulgarly forms one fingle ideas and a huf- bandman when he is looking over his in- clofure, does not dream that there are up- wards of three hundred fpecies of grafs, of which thirty or forty may be at prefent under his eye. ‘They have fcarcely had a name, befides the general one, till within thefe twenty years; and the few particular names that have been lately given, are far from having obtained general ufe : fo that we may fairly affert that the knowledge of this moft common and valuable tribe of plants is yet in its infancy * Let us not however give more importance to Botany than it really has; but proceed quetly with our own bufinefs. The greater part of the world fcarcely know that grafs has a flower ; or, if they are fhown. * The late excellent Mr. Stillingfleet firft directed the public attention to graffes ; and that moft refpeétable and ufeful inftitution, the Society of Arts, &c. has done all in tts power to promote an improvement in the cul- ture of them; but without great effet. Nor can much be expeéted till economical gardens or public farms are inftituted, for the purpofe of experiments in this and other parts of hufbandry. It is not enough to tell men of a good thing, and inftruét them how it may be done; but they muft actually fee it put in execution, and be eye-witnefles of its good effects. —This has lately been done by fome public-fpirited gentlemen; particularly by Mr. Coke, of Norfolk. See Young’s Annals.—Mr. Curtis’s Practical Obfervations on the Britifh Grafles are highly deferving of the attention of the public.—See alfo Mr. Swayne’s Gramina Pafcua. 7 it, GRASSES. it, will coldly afk, Is this all? And yet grafs not only has a flower, but every con- ftituent part of it; which is more than we can fay of atulip, and fome others, that have engroffed almoft all the attention of mankind: nay, there is fuch a variety in the parts, difpofition, and manner of flower- ing, that we have fufficient marks in the fructification to diftinguifh above forty genera. If you take up a fpike ¥ or panicle? of grafs, you may perhaps be difappointed in your expectation of difcerning the ftamens and other parts; be affured then that the flower is not yet open, and continue your fearch till you find one with the parts ex- panded, the flender filaments hanging out, and large, oblong, double anthers playing freely about with the flighteft motion. You will immediately perceive that your grafs, having three of thefe ftamens, muft range under the third clafs, trzandria, pro- vided the flower has a piftil as well as fta- mens. Searching a little farther, you will eafily deteét two reflex ftyles, each termi- nated with a feathered ftigma: you are at no lofs therefore to determine that your grafs belongs to the fecond order (dig ynia) of this third clafs*. Having thus fettled the clafs and the or- der, you will proceed to the other parts of 7 Plo. f a. 2 APL gef.:2- : A See Plate 9,.b, : K the 129 130 DEPP ER CALE. the flower. The negleéted chaff you will find to be double: the outer generally con- fifting of two leaflets; one large and gibbous, the Sener fmaller and flat; the inner con- fitting alfo of two parts or valves, which you may call petals, for this is the corolla, and the former is the calyx. Nay this de- {pifed flower has even its zeéfary; which is a little oblong body compofed of two leaf- lets, but fo {mall as to require a glafs to difcern it well. Grafles have no pericarp, but one naked feed, with the fhape of which we are well acquainted—it is oblong, and draws to a point towards each end. Thefe characters you will find common to every grafs you examine, and alfo to every {pecies of corn; or however with very few exceptions: this then is called the c/afical charaéier. As thefe {mall flowers grow frequently two or more clofe together, you have only to feparate a fingle flower to avoid confufion in your examination. But this tribe of plants does not agree in the parts of frudtification only, as above defcribed. ‘The whole appearance, the ge- neral air, the manner of growth, is the fame in all. A fimplicity of ftructure runs through the entire clafs. Every one has a fimple, unbranched, ftraight, hollow ftem, _ ftrengthened with knots at certain inter- vals”. There is none but has a fingle leaf to > Linnæus names it culnus, each GRASSES. each knot, invefting or fheathing the ftem to fome diftance, and then fpreading out into a long narrow furface, of equal breadth all the way, till it approaches the end, when it draws off gradually to a point’. It is alfo invariably entire in every {peclies ; and without veins or branching veflels, being only marked longitudinally with lines parallel to the fides, and to a nerve or ridge “ that runs the whole length of it. There is another curious circumftance, almoft pe- culiar to this tribe of plants, and common to them all; namely, that the body of the feed does not fplit into two lobes, but con- tinues entire‘, till it has accomplifhed its purpofe of giving the young plant its firit nourifhment, and then rots away: this you may eafily ‘ieee as corn is fpringing ups or you may fow a little Canary grafs feed, which you have for your birds, in a garden pot in your window, and thus make the obfervation at home. But though I may indulge you for once, you know I do not encourage this idle domeftic manner of ob- ferving the operations of nature. You mutt go abroad and view her feated on her na- tive throne: and in her court you have this advantage, which you will find in no other, that you are gathering health whillt you pay her homage. © Linnzus calls this fort of leaf linear. “ Such plants are called monocotyledonous ; the others, dicotyledonous. K 2 If 131 bed (#8) KR Phalaris. LET WER "XIII, If you are now miftrefs of all the circum {tances in which this tribe of plants agree, you may proceed to thofe in which they differ, and thus feparate them firft into their genera, and then into their {pecies. But the genera being numerous it may not be inconvenient, as we did once before, to throw the whole tribe into fome general fubdivifions; and that we can eafily do from the manner in which the flowers are pro- duced—either in a panicle or fpike; and fingly, or feveral together. Hence we fhall get four fubdivifions : 1. Flowers fingle — — 14 genera. 2. Flowers two together — 2 genera. 3. Flowers many together — 7 genera. Thefe are moftly panicled: in all, the flowers are irregularly difpofed, or wan- dering, as Linneeus calls them. 4. Flowers in a fpike, with a fubulate re- ceptacle — — — 6 genera. Including wheat, rye, and barley.. Oat is in the third divifion. Your pot of Canary feed, if you do not pull up all the plants to verify what I told you before, will ferve for an inftance of the firft divifion. When it arrives at a ftate of perfection, you will obferve that the two Jeaves of the calyx are flatted, boat-fhaped, have a keel running along eos and are equal in length; the corolla is lefs than the 7 calyx, GRASSES. 133 calyx, and fhut up within it. This is the character of the genus. It is fpecifically diftinguifhed by the form of the panicle refembling a fpike, and being ovate, the chaffs being turgid and hairy, but the keel fmooth. It is an annual grafs: is found wild in the Canary Iflands, whence its name of Phalaris Canartenjis, and is culti- vated in Europe for the food of Canary and other {mall birds. | Whilft your Canary-crafs is growing, you muft go out in fearch of other inftances of this firit divifion; for I muft abiolutely infift that you ranfack the neighbouring meadows and paftures before the furious {cythe has levelled all their honours. Meadows of a good quality abound in Alopecu- Fox-tail grafs°, which is indeed one of the earlieit, as well as the moft excellent, for hay and feeding cattle. This genus is an exception to one of the general charac- ters; for though the calyx has two valves or leaves, the corolla has but one. You will readily difcover the fpecies by the cy- lindric fhape and hoary appearance of the panicle, which, from its form, you will take for a fpike, the ere@tnefs of the ftalk, and the corollas not being bearded. Cafs-tail grafs' is another of thefe; the Phleum. {pike has not the {mooth hoary appearance of the laft, but feems rough, and is known * Alopecurus pratenfis Linnæi. Stillingf. t. 9. Cur- tis, Lond. 5. 5. & obf. t. 2. * Phleum pratenfe. Lin. Schreber t. 14. K 3 wae) 134 LETTER: XAT, at firft fight by the truncated and forked termination of the calyxes, which are alfo linear, and fit clofe to the ftem. The co- rolla is fhut up within the calyx. The fhape of the fpike is cylindric; the keel of the chaffs is ciliate 5, and the ftalk is erect. The {pike of Cat’s-tail grafs is fometimes four inches long in moift meadows; in dryer, poorer foils, it decreafes in length, until it dwindles to half an inch; and even lefs in hard barren ground, fuch as way fides and heaths. In thefe laft it cannot raife itfelf upright; and the roots not being able to fpread themfelves freely, grow knotty and bulbous. I mention thefe cir- cumftances that you may be aware of the changes wrought in plants by foil and fitua- tion; and not fuppofe that a new fpecies prefents itielf every time you meet with thefe and other flight variations. If you tranfplant from the heath into your garden, a dwarf, crooked, knobby-rooted plant, I dare engage that the ftem will become erect, that the fpike will lengthen, and the bulbous root change to a fibrous one. It is not however always eafy to fay what is a {pecies, and what a variety only. A great deal of obfervation and experience is neceflary in many cafes to determine this with precifion. Moft varieties indeed are produced by culture, or a change from their & Set with little hairs like eye-lafhes. native GRASSES. native foil and fituation: and, when they regain their natural ftate, will return to their priftine form : if this were univerfally fo, there would be no difficulty to afcertain the fpecies from the variety. But it fome- times happens that when accident has pro- duced a variety, it continues permanent, and having once tafted a polifhed fituation, re- fufes to return to a ftate of nature: our teft therefore is not a certain one. The fecond divifion of the grafles having only two genera, the diftinGion is eafy: they are known from the reft by having two flowers growing together ; and Frans each other by tie pride of a third flower between the two others, in the Me/ica, of which there is no fign in the “ira. Of the third divifion you will find abun- dance of graïîles fufficiently common: Briza or ladies’ baw, Poa or meadow grafs, Fe/luca or fefcue, Brome grafs, oats with all the oat-grafles, and Had LarT he genera are thus diftinguifhed : Corolla cordate: valves turgid, - Briza. Corolla ovate: valves rather fharp, Pos. Corolla oblong: valves pointed, Fe/fuca. -: valves bearded be- low the point, - Bromus. ——-: beard writhed or bent, - - - Avena. Corolla woolly at the bafe: awn- lefs, - - - finely cut®. The colour of the corolla varies from black to pale purple, red and variegated, and fometimes the main flower is furrounded by a fet of very {mall ones on flender peduncles, as in the Hen and Chicken Daify ; but all thefe are confefledly no other than feminal varieties: though now fo com- mon with us, this plant is originally from the Indies. This clafs comprifes another natural or- der of plants, entitled Ste//ated, from the manner in which the leaves grow upon the ftem, feveral together in fees one above another, radiating like the points of a ftar, as it 1s commonly reprefented. 1 mutt ob- ferve to you, that though in this cafe, and in many others, a clafs or order takes its name from an obvious or ftriking circum- fiance in its ftructure, yet it does not fol- low that all plants which have that ftruc- ture are to be looked for there, or that this is the only or even principal reafon of their being kept together. When a plant of this or that general appearance prefents it- felf, you may reafonably prefume that it ranks in this or that. order; but outward appearances muft not carry you beyond prefumption, and it is the ftruéture of. © Scabiofa atropurpurea Zin. Ger. 724. 16. M 2 the Le 104 Galium. LETTER XV. the frudtification that muft determine you at laft!. In the Sre//ated plants the ftru€ture is this: the calyx is extremely minute, di- vided into four parts, and permanent: the corolla 1s monopetalous divided into four {egments; the ftamens are four in number; the germ is double, and below the flower; the ftyle is bifid; the fruit is globofe, and contains two feeds. ‘The ftalk is qua- drangular. All the genera of this order refemble each other fo much, that fome authors have re- duced them into one. Madder has a bell- fhaped corolla, fucceeded by two berries with one feed in each. Sherardia and Wood- roof § have funnel-fhaped corollas: the firft has a little crown to the feeds, the fecond has them globofe, without any crown. Ga- /ium has a falver-fhaped corolla, and two roundith feeds. This laft genus has twenty- fix {pecies, twenty of which have the fruit {mooth; in the remaining fix itus rough. The number of leaves in each ftar or whorl, together with the fhape of them, gives the principal {pecific diftinétions. f See what was faid upon this fubject with refpeét to the Elder in Letter V. I muft add that ufe and prac- tice is neceflary to give the proper tact in natural ob- jects as well as in works of art: the fimilitudes and analogies that ignorant perfons find being ufually truly ridiculous. £ Afperula odorata. Curtis, Lond. IV. 15. White TETRANDRIA. 165 Vhite Galiunt, or White Ladies Bedfraw has four leaves in a whorl towards the bot- tom of the ftem, and fix narrower ones higher up. Great Ladies Bedfiraw', has eight, a little notched about the edges, ovate in form, and terminating in a point or little hook. J¢e/low Ladies Bedfraw * has alfo eight leaves, but they are very narrow, an furrowed ; the flowering ftalks are very fhort, and the corollas are y yellow: The firft grows in moift meadows, and by river fides the fecond in hedges, and on heaths among the bufhes; fine third is very common in paftures, on balks, and by way fides. T'hefe three all have fmooth feeds. . The common Ga/ium', known by the name of Goofe-grafs or Cleavers, every body knows to have rough feeds, by their {ticking to the clothes as we pafs near the hedges. The leaves alfo are rough, lance- fhaped, and eight in number. The flowers of all the fpecies, and indeed of the whole tribe, are very fmall, but the plants are known at firft fight by their air. The Plantains are alfo of the firft order Plante ago. of this clafs Tefrandria : they are numerous, for there are twenty-four fpecies of them. As a great number of {mall flowers grow together in a fpike or oblong head, you h Galium paluftre Zin. Fl. dan. 423. 1 Galium Mollugo Lin. Fl. dan. t. 455. k Galium verum Zin. Curtis, Lond. n. 63. Mill. fig. t. 139. f. 1. 7 Gal Aparine, Curtis, Lond. IL. 9. M 3 mutt 166 LETTER XV. muft feparate one of them to examine the parts of the fructification diftinGly. You will then find that each of thefe {mall flow- ers has a quadrifid calyx and corolla, with the border of the latter reflex: the fila- ments are remarkably long: and the feed- veflel is a bilocular capfule, opening hori- zontally, and placed above the receptacle. The Great ™ and Ribwort® Plantains are doubtlefs well known to you; the firft fo common by way fides, and the fecond in pafture grounds. The Great Plantain is diftinguifhed by its ovate, {mooth leaves, and its round, naked, flowering-ftalk ° ter- minated by a long {pike of flowers lying clofe over each other’. Hoary Plantain 1 is nearly allied to this, but the leaves are longer, and white with hairs; the {pike is cylindric, but fhorter and thicker than in the firft. Ridwort Plantain has the leaves lance-fhaped ; a fhort, naked, ovate {pike ; the fcape angular, and twifted. This, and the other {pecies have the leaves marked lengthwife, with very prominent ribs or nerves. By fubmitting to examine thefe plants, which you were already acquainted with, you will acquire a facility in difcovering ™ Plantago major Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 11. " Plantazo lanceolata Zin. Curtis, Lond. II. ro. Pari e ° This Linnæus calls /capus, from its refemblance to the fhaft of a column. P Imbricate. 4 Plantago medta Liz. Curtis, Lond. IV. 14. fuch LERRANDRIA, fuch as are ftrangers to you; for you have too much fenfe to defpife them becaufe they are common, or deftitute of beauty: in confidence of this, I have been ftudious to feleét rather fuch plants as you may rea- dily meet with, and are proper for exami- nation, than thofe that are moft rare and valuable. If you were in the neighbour- hood of a famous botanic garden, I might be nicer in my choice, and at the fame time prefent you with greater variety, but per- haps after all, I might not be more ufeful, or you more amufed: at leaft I fhall hope for the continuance of that indulgence a little longer with which you have hitherto honoured me". But to return to our bufinefs; there is a plant of this fourth clafs and firft order, which I muft not omit prefenting to you, ° were it but for the name’s fake. Ladies Alche- Mantle has a calyx of one permanent leaf, milla. divided into eight fegments, four of which are larger, and four fmaller; it has no co- rolla; and only one little feed to each flower. There are three fpecies of Ladies Mantle. 1. The Common, 2. The Alpine, and © Students in Botany who live in or near London, or come occafionally to the great city, will be happy to profit by Mr. Curtis’s excellent Gardes, at Brompton, where a confiderable number of plants is arranged and named, fo that he that runs may read. 1. Alchemilla vulgaris. Lin. Mor. hift. f. 2. t. 20. f, 1. Mill. fig. pl..18. 2. Alchemilla alpina. Lin. FI, dan, t, 40. M 4 ig Fe 168 BETTER XY: . The five-leaved. The firft is known by rae fimple, lobate leaves, nicely ferrated about the edge, and Mca into from eight to twelve greater parts: before the leaf ex- pands it is folded or plaited at each of thefe divifions, and hence the name. The flow- ers grow in bunches, are inconfiderable in point of fize, and alfo of colour, for hav- ing no corolla they are only g green, Or what botanutts call herbaceous. It is an humble, but an elegant plant, and grows in high paftures, but not common. Alpine Ladies Mantle is much more ele- gant than this, with its fhining filky leaves, which are digitate, and indented at the end: the folioles or component leaves vary in number from five to nine. ‘The third fpe- cies is very uncommon: it 1s a {mall plant, quite {mooth, with digitate leaves, but each of its five folioles divided half way into te- veral fmaller ones. The fecond order of this clafs has a fin- gular plant, Cu/cuta or Dodder. It is with- out leaves, has a ftalk flender as a thread, which would trail along the ground did it not lay hold on fome plant ftronger than itfelf for fupport; not content with fup- port, where it lays hold, there it draws its nourifhment; and, at length, in gratitude © for all this, ftrangles its entertainer! I ima- gine this account will not befpeak your af- 3. A. pentaphyllea Lin. fection TETRANDRIA. fection for Dodder*. If you will be at the pains of difembarrafling a poor fuffering bean from its entangling ftalks, you will fee that the flowers come out in {feffile knots; that each of thefe has a calyx di- vided half way into four or five parts; that the corolla is of one petal divided into four or five fegments at the edge: and that the {eed-veffel is a bilocular capfule. This pa- rafite, as Linnzeus juftly calls fuch plants, faftens itfelf about beans, nettles, clover, flax, heath, &c. and feeds upon them by means of innumerable teats or glands which it inferts into the pores of it’s fupporter’s bark. The Pondweeds, which are many, and fufficiently common, will ferve for an in- {tance of the third order. If your own fifh-ponds are kept too clean to furnith thefe plants, you may probably procure them from fome of your neighbours; or, if they were worth the carriage, I-could fend you abundance from our moat. You will know them by the leaves lying flat upon the wa- ter; and by the ftem’s pufhing up a {pike of inconfiderable fowers, that have no ca- lyx, a corolla of four deciduous petals, four germs terminated by obtufe ftigmas, with- * Cufcuta Europea Lin. F1. dan. 199. The divi- fions of the calyx, and corolla, and the ftamens, are five in the Britifh fpecics; ours therefore is C. Epi- thymum, and according to the ftriét laws of the artifi- cial fyftem, fhould appear in the next clafs, It is fi- gured in FI, dan. 42. out CET EVER XVe out the interpofition of any ftyle, and be- coming in time four roundifh feeds. The bread leaved* fpecies is one of the mof{t common, and is known by its oblong ovate leaves. Perfoliate Pondweed ° has heart-fhaped leaves embracing the ftalk, and grows in running waters. Curled Pond- weed” has lance-fhaped, waving leaves, notched about the edges, and ftanding al- ternate upon the ftem: this is found both in running and ftagnant waters. But of thefe enough—don’t hazard get- ting wet, or catching cold, in fearch of them. If any of thefe plants which I have hitherto recommended to your notice, elude your fearch, or have paffed their ftated time of flowering before you find them, note them down for next year: fo adieu, dear coufin. t Potamogeton natans. Lia, Miller illuftr. Ger. 821. 1. “ P. Perfoliatum. Liv. F1. dan. 196, Ger. 822. 3. -YP. Crifpum Lin. Curtis, Lond. 5. 15. Ger. 824. 2. bd San gel i Seth (et) LETTER. XVL THE FIRST ORDER OF THE FIFTH CLASS, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. March the 25th, 1775. Y indifpofition of laft autumn has given you ample leifure, dear coufin, to make yourfelf miftrefs of the general ar- rangement of plants, and of the firft four claffes in particular. Since it is your earneft defire, I have refumed my former prate as early as poflible, that nothing may efcape us this feafon. We have now a large clafs to encounter with, containing more than a tenth part of the vegetable world, for it has two hundred and fixty-one genera, and one thoufand five hundred and five {pecies, It includes, as you may fuppole, feveral natural orders, and fome fpecies are even now ready for examination. We will open the year, by your leave, with the Primrofe, which has its name from being one of the firft flowers that blow. This, with fome others that refemble it, form a natural order, entitled, for the fame reafon, Preciæ"; and agreeing in having a monophyllous, quinquefid, permanent ca- * Præcoces, early, lyx ; Primula. Na iS) LETTER XVI. lyx; a monopetalous, quinquefid corolla; and a capfule for a feed-veffel, fuperior or inclofed within the calyx. The characters of the genus are, an involucre under the flower, or knot of flowers; the corolla funnel-fhaped or falver-fhaped, with the tube cylindric, and open at the top; the ftigma globofe: the capfule unilocular. The {fpecies* is diftinguifhed by its pentagonal calyx, its cylindric oblong capfule, and the wrinkled furface, and indented edges of its leaves. ‘The three principal varieties, if they are but varieties, are thus commodioufly feparated. The Primrofey has one flower on a naked ftem, and the corolla falver-fhaped. The Ox-/ip” has feveral flowers on one naked ftem, and the corolla falver-fhaped. The Cow/lip* has many flowers on a naked ftem, and the corolla funnel-fhaped. The yellow of the two firft is very pale; the corolla of the Primrofe is much the largeft ; that of the Ox-lip a middle fize, between the two others: the fimple unbranched flowering {tem of the Primrofe is weak, and rathera peduncle than a ftalk; the fcape of the Ox-lip is fometimes near a foot high, and ftrong; that of the Cowllip is generally lower and weaker. I do not know whether * Comprehending Primrofe, Ox-lip, Cowflip, and -Polyanthus. ¥ Primula acaulis Lin. vulgaris Hudfon. F1. dan. 194. * Primula vulgaris 8. Hudf. Fl. dan. 434. * Primula veris Lin. & Hudf. FI, dan. 433. 5 I dare PENT. MON. Precie. I dare to tell you that all the beautiful forts of Polyanthus, by you prized fo much, are but an accidental variety of this fpecies, which is certainly much difpofed to vary even in its wild ftate. Thus the primrofe has fometimes two flowers together, or changes to green, or to red, or doubles its corolla ; the Ox-lip fometimes has very few flowers, and they are nearly as large asa Primrofe; and the Cowflip has frequently red flowers, then much refembling a {mall Polyanthus. See now by how many fteps you arrive at a knowledge of thefe plants. You firft determine their clafs and order, by feeing that they have five ftamens, and one piftil; having ftill an hundred and fifty-five genera to encounter, you next fettle what fubdivi- fion of the order they range under; and finding that the corolla is monopetalous, inferior, and fucceeded by a Veffel inclofing the feeds, you are reduced to feventy-three genera. Next vou difcover that they are of the natural order of Preciæ, which leaves you but ten genera to choofe out of. You are now got within fo {mall a compafs that it cannot be very difficult to afcertain the genus, the fpecies which are ten in number, and the fubordinate varieties. I do not make all this parade, in order to enable you to diicover a plant which you were perfectly acquainted with beforehand, but to fhew ! you dE 174 SET TBR XV you how you are to proceed with a plant you do not know, from this inftance of one which you do. _ Or you may take it thus—You have a plant in flower, which for the prefent we will fuppofe you to be unacquainted with. You firit examine the ftamens and piftils; : and by the number of thefe you determine your plant to belong to the fifth clafs and the firft order. You next confult the fubdivifions of that order, and find it be- longing to that which has monopetalous inferior corollas, withthe feeds inclofed ina veflel. Seeing farther that your plant has a monophyllous calyx cut into five fegments, that the corolla is alfo divided in the fame manner: this added to the foregoing circum- {tances fhows you that it ranges under the natural order of Precie. Here remarking an involucre under the flowers, the tube of the corolla cylindric, and open at top, and the capfule unilocular or one-celled, you are aflured at length that your plant is of the genus Primula. But finding that the leaves, inftead of being wrinkled, are per- fectly imooth, flefhy, and either entire, or fharply notched about the edges, you are well aflured that it is a diftinét fpecies ; and upon inquiry difcover it to be the 4uricula?, the elegant, the powdered Auricula, fo ‘much efteemed by florifts, and {fo various > Primula Auricula Lin, Ger. 784, 5, 6. in PENT, MON. Precie. 175; in the fize and colours of its corolla, when in a ftate of cultivation. All the other plants of this natural order Meadia. are pretty, if not fpecious. Meadia, per- verfely altered by Linnæus to Dodecatheon‘, is an American plant, but flowers well and early in our climate. It has a rotate or wheel-fhaped corolla with reflex petals: the ftamens fit upon the tube ; and the capfule has one cell only, and is oblong. This is fufficient for the complete detection of the plant, fince there is only one known fpecies. The leaves however are fmooth; the flowering ftems are naked, eight or nine inches high, and fuftain many flowers, each of which hasa long flender peduncle, which is recurved fo that the flower hangs down; the corolla is of a beautiful light purple. If you have not this plant already in your garden, procure it againft next {pring ; you will be pleafed with the ftruéture and ap- pearance of it. Cyclamen refembles Meadia in its wheel- cycta- fhaped reflex corolla, but the tube is globu- men. lar, and remarkably fhort, with the neck prominent ; the ftigma, which was obtufe in that, is acute inthis. The feed-veffel is roundifh and flefhy, :aclofing feveral angu- Jar feeds: Linnæus calls it a berry covered with a capfular fhell There are feveral {pecies or varieties of Cyclamen ; for it is doubtful whether they are pofitively dif- * Curtis’s Magaz. 12. Mil. fig. pl. 174. Pl. 12. f. 2. tinct 176 errr ER AVR tint or not. The moft common‘ has heart-fhaped angular leaves, marked with black in the middle. The flowers appear alone, before thefe, rifing immediately from the root: when they “fall, the peduncles twift up like a fcrew, inclofins the germ in the centre, and lie clofe to the gr OHA among the leaves, which grow very thick together, and protect them “all winter. The common colour of the corolla is red, but it varies to purple and white. There is one fort which has the leaves purple under- neath; and another which has the veins only purple, and the upper fide veined and marbled with white: the flowers white with a purple bafe. ‘The Perfian fort has leaves like the laft in colour, but quite en- tire about the edges, the flowers large, pale purple with a bright red or purple bafe*, All thefe, and other différences, whether fpecific or not, make a moft agreeable va- riety, and are very beautiful. There are two wild plants of this natural order which J muft recommend to your in- fpection for their beauty. They grow in the water, and therefore you muft procure them by another hand. Meny- Marfh Trefoil, Buckbean or Bog-bean* anthes- will difcover itfelf to you immediately by ¢ Cyclamen Europæum Lin. C. coum is figured in Curt. Magaz. t. 4.—Perficum, in t. 44. ¢ Miller’s fig. pl. 115. f Menyanthes trifoliata Zim. Curtis, Lond. IV. 17. , the PENT. MON. Convolvulus fepium Lin, Curtis, Lond. I. 13. Blot © Convolvulus purpureus Lin. Ehret. pict. t. 7. f. 2. Curtis’s Magaz. 113. vided PENT. MON. Campan. 185 vided leaves, the feed veflels hanging down -after the flower is gone, and the peduncles fwelling. This, if fupported, will climb to the height of ten or twelve feet. Though the moft ufual colour of the corolla is pur- ple, yet there are varieties white, red, and whitifh blue. Tricolor Bindweed*, or, as it is vulgarly called, Convolvulus minor, has lance-fhaped, fmooth leaves, a weak falling ftalk, that never climbs, and the flower coming out fingly. The corolla is a beautiful blue with a white eye; but fometimes all white or variegated. This is alfo annual. Its na- tive country is Portugal. The former is wild both in Afia and America. This genus contains feveral remarkable plants; as Scammony*, Turpethum or Tur- bith, and Falap. Ipomea has rather a funnel-fhaped than a campanulate corolla; a globofe ftigma, and a trilocular capfule*; but the plants that range under this genus being natives of the Weft Indies, and confequently require ing much heat to raife and preferve them, may probably not come within your view; and therefore I fhall not enlarge upon them. _In Campanula you will of courfe expe& Campa to find a campanulate or bell-fhaped co- ul. rolla; but it is worth your obfervation that * Convolvulus tricolor Lin. Curtis's Mag. 27. * Conv. Scammonia. Lin, Mill. fig. 102. f See Mill, fig. 214. the 186 L'EUNT ER : Vibe the bottom of it is clofed with five valves, concealing the receptacle, and that the fta- mens take their rife from thefe valves. The ftigma is trifid, and the feed veflel is a cap- fule, below the flower, having three or five cells, and at the top of each a hole, through which the feeds are fcattered when ripe. You fee by this time how curious and how various the ftructure of the parts of fructi- fication is. By thus examining them fingly, and comparing them one with another, you will in time grow an eminent botanitt, and acquire a facility in determining the genus, ipecies, analogy, and connexion of vegetables. There is a little Be//-flower that grows frequent in dry paftures, and on almoft every heath and common, with is nodding blue corolla anfwering well to its name. The botanifts have confpired to call it round- Jeaved Bell-flower®; for what reafon per- haps you will wonder, fince you will dif- cover no leaves upon the ftem but what are linear, or very long, narrow lance-fhaped : if however you take a young plant, or at leaft one in full vigour, and fearch among the grafs clofe to the ground, you will fee thefe leaves, which are not fo properly round as heart” or kidney-fhaped’. This fort flowers towards the latter end of the fum- mer, and all the autumn, till froft puts an = Campanula rotundifolia Linnei. Curtis, Lond. IV. 21. » Haller. * Linnæus, end PENT. MON. Campan. end to it; and frequently has a white co- rolla. Rampion*, which was formerly culs tivated for its roots to eat in fallads, is now fo much neglected, that your kitchen gar- den perhaps may not furnifh it; and in its wild ftate it is by no means common. This has upright ftalks, two feet high; the leaves undulating, thofe next the root fhort, lance-fhaped, inclined to oval: to- wards the upper part of the ftem, and clofe to it, fmall flowers are produced, with a blue or white corolla. Peach-leaved Bell-flower * is abundant in your flower borders, both blue and white; but fince your gardener has obtained -the double forts, he has probably deipifed the fingle ones fo much as to have deftroyed them, and at the fame time to have deprived you of the power of determining the ge- nus: you will however know this to be a Campanula by its air; and you will deter- mine the fpecies by the leaves, which are ovate near the root, and on the ftalk are very narrow lance-fhaped approaching to linear, flightly ferrated about the edge, fit clofe-to the ftem, and are remote from each other. | I remember your hall chimney ufed to be adorned in fummer with the pyramidal or feeeple Bell-flower™, ftrutting out like a fan, * Campanula Rapunculus Linnai. ? Campanula Perficifolia Linnæi. # Campanula pyramidalis Linnei. by 187 188 L'ŒUNT ERVXVE by means of a frame of little fticks. This has {mooth, heart-fhaped leaves, ferrated about the edge; thofe on the {tem lance- fhaped : the ftems are fimple and rufh-like: the flowers come out in feflile umbels from the fide of the ftem. Such are Linnzus’s {pecific characters. There is the Grant Throatwort", wild, but not common, in bufhy places and hedges: known by its ftrong, round, fin- gle ftalks; its long ovate leaves, inclined to lance-fhaped, flightly ferrated or toothed like a faw on their edges: towards the up- per part of the ftalk the flowers come out fingly upon fhort peduncles. Pray remark, that after thefe are faded, the feed-veflels turn downwards till the feeds are ripe, and then rife up again. Great Bell-flower°, vulgarly called Can- terbury bells, is much more common in the like places. This has ftiff, hairy, an- gular ftalks, putting out a few fhort fide- branches. The leaves are like thofe of net- tles, hairy, and deeply ferrated on their edges: towards the upper part of the ftalks the flowers come out on fhort trifid peduit- cles, and have hairy calyxes. Small Canterbury Bells? is common in ® Campanula latifolia Zin. FI. dan. 85. Ger. 448. 3. ° Campanula Trachelium Lin. Mor. hift. f, 5. t. 3. f. 28. Ger. 448. 1. P Campanula glomerata Linneær, Mor, t. 4. f. 40 & 43. Ger. 449. 4. paftures, PENT. MON. Campan. paftures, efpecially in a chalky foil. In dry places it is very {mall, and in a moift foil will grow to the height of two feet. The ftalk is hairy, angulate, and unbranched ; the lower leaves are broad, and peduncu- late; thofe on the ftalk long, narrow, fit- ting clofe to the ftalk, and even embracing it: towards the top of the ftalk, from the axils of the leaves, two or three flowers come out together, and a larger bunch ter- minates it: the flowers are feflile. © Venus’s Looking-gla/s* is a Campanula, witha weak, low, and very branching ftalk; the leaves oblong, and a little notched ; the flowers folitary, and the feed-veflels of a prifmatic form. Corn-bell-flower* very much refembles this; but the ftalk is ftiff, and branches little; the leaves are more deeply notched, and waving; the flowers come out in parcels, and the calyx is longer than the corolla. ‘This is a common weed among corn. Thefe two have fcarcely bell-fhaped corollas, any more than another plant of this Campanulate order, entitled Greek Va- lerian or Facob’s Ladder*, which has the co- rolla rather rotate, with the tube fhorter than the calyx, but clofed with five valves, into which the ftamens are inferted, as in 4 Campanula fpeculum Liz. Curtis Magaz. 102. * Campanula hybrfda Lin. Mor. t. 2. f. 22. Ger. 439: 2. ‘ \ * Polemonium cæruleum Zin. FI, dan. 255. Ger. 1076. 5. | Campanula: 189 Polermo- nium. 190 LETTER XVI Campanula: the ftigma alfo is trifid, as in that, and the feed-veflel a trilocular or three- celled capfule, but inclofed within the flower. The circumftances that diftinguifh this from the other two fpecies are, that the leaves are pinnate, the flowers erect, and the calyx full as long as the tube of the corolla ; in which you fee it recedes a little from one character of the genus. It is blue, and cut into five roundifh fegments. I {carcely need caution you not to be mifled by names, which being ufually given by ignorant perfons, are very fanciful or erroneous. Thus here, you may as well fuppofe Po/e- tnonium to have an affinity with a ladder as with valerian: indeed the fame circumftance of the pinnate leaves probably gave occafion to both names. I am almoft afraid to prefent you with a fet of plants, which from their lurid, dufky, difmal, gloomy, appearance, are kept to- gether under the title of Luride. They have alfo moft of them a difagreeable {mell, which, with their forbidding look, will de- ter our young coufin from examining them, fhe not being yet {ufficiently tinétured with enthufiafm to go on in fpite of fuch circum- ftances. Indeed I would not with her to be too bufy with fome of thefe in/ane roots that take the reafon prifoger, and which I can never collect and examine myfelf, with- out their affeCting my head. You will confider that nature has kindly given us notice PENT. MON. Luride. 191 notice in general of approaching danger, by means of our fenfes; and accordingly fome of thefe Lurid plants are highly poifonous ; moft of them are fo in fome degree, though foil and climate may mitigate the poifon, and even render them wholefome. I will felec&t fome of the leaft difagreeable in fmell and appearance; or, if they be otherwife, will announce it to you. Befides the cir- cumftances of five ftamens and one piftil, thefe plants agree in a permanent calyx di- vided more or lefs deeply into five fegments ; a monopetalous corolla, divided alfo into five fegments, tubulous, irregular; the feed- veflel bilocular, and either a capfule or a berry, inclofed within the flower. Of Verbafcum, or Mullein, thereare feveral Verbaf. fpecies wild, one very common, and another °°: not uncommon. Their general characters are, that the corolla is rotate, and flightly irregular; the ftamens unequal in length, bending down, and generally clothed at bot- tom with a coloured fringe; the ftigma obtufe, and the capfule bivalve, and opening at top. The common fpecies is the Great or Hoary Mullemm‘, which grows moftly under banks or hedges. It is a biennial plant ; the firft year forming its root, and a fet of large, broad leaves, extremely woolly on both fides, and fpreading on the ground, * Verbafcum Thapfus Linnæi. FI, dan, 631. lov. bit. £ 5,0 Of 1. Ger. 733. 1. with 192 Datura. L:E TyT ER, XVIe with fcarcely any petioles: the fecond year it fends up a fingle ftem, fometimes five feet in height, with decurrent leaves on it, woolly as the radical ones ; and on the topa clofe {pike of yellow flowers, which have an odour not difagreeable. The other which I hinted at is the Black Mullein*, growing in fimilar places, abun- dantly in fome, but by no means fo exten- fively. It has not fo high a ftem; the fhape of the lower leaves is that of a heart much lengthened out, and they are petiolate ; the leaves on the {tem ovate, fharp-pointed and feffile; all of them are pale green on the upper, and hoary on the under ee face; and aré indented about the edges. The ftalk is terminated by a long {pike of yellow flowers, formed by fhort clufters or {picules on the fides of the principal ftalk.. The corolla is yellow, with the filaments fringed or bearded with purple. It has the name of black, I prefume, merely becaufe it is not white, like the other. Datura, Stramonium, or Thorn Apple, has the calyx tubulous, {welling in the middle, five-cornered, and deciduous; the corolla funnel-fhaped, fpreading out gradually very wide from a long cylindric tube, into a pent- angular border with five plaits: the capfule is quadrivalvular, or opens into four parts. The flowers of thefe are large, and rather * Verbafcum nigrum Lin. Mor. hift. f. 5. t.9. f. 5. , fpecious, PENT. MON. Luride. 193 fpecious, andthe capfules are remarkable for their fize. The common Thorn Apple’ has fmooth leaves, irregularly angular, and {melling dif- agreeably; the flowers come out from the firft divifions, and near the extremities of the branches ; the corolla is white, and each an- gle of it ends in a long point ; the capfule is ovate, covered with ftrong thorns, and grows erect. Another fort “, cultivated fometimes in flower gardens, has purple flowers; it has alfo purple ftalks, which are ftouterand taller than thofe of the laft; the leaves are alfo larger, and more angular and notched; the capfule is larger, but much like that of the common fort. One of them, having the capfule armed with very {trong fpines, has the epithet of ferce *. Henbane Y is a very common plant, and Hyoty- has often done mifchief to fuch as will not #™¥* fuffer their appetites to be corrected by their fenfes. You will agree with me that the {mell is fufficient to deter any perfon from eating it. I cannot however difpenfe with your examining the flower, which is really beautiful on a near view. ‘The corolla is funnel-fhaped, and obtufe; of a pale yel- ¥ Datura Stramonium Zin. Curtis, Lond. n.61. FI. dan. 436. Ger. 348. 2. # Datura Tatula Lin. * Datura ferox. Lin. Mor. t. 2. f. 4. » * Hyofcyamus niger Lin, Ger. 353. 1. O lowifh 194 Nicoti- ana. LETTER © XVE lowifh colour, beautifully veined with pur- ple. The ftamens are of different lengths and bent; and the capfule is involved in the calyx, of an oval form, and covered with a hemifpherical lid, which, by falling off, announces that the feeds are ripe. The common wild fpecies is diftinguifhed from the others by its finuate leaves, em- bracing the ftalk, and by the flowers fit- ting clofe toit. The whole plant is covered with long hairs, from which exudes a clammy, fetid juice: the leaves are very large, and remarkably foft; and the flowers come out in a very long fpike, rather on one fide. It grows on banks, dungnhills, and way-fides about villages, and is a bien- nial plant. There are other forts, but nei- ther wild nor much cultivated. You who have fuch an averfion from tobacco in all the ways of ufing it, will not be difpleafed at finding it in this lurid or- der. Notwithftanding it is fo generally taken, the oil of it is the ftrongeft of the vegetable poifons. It is a plant however neither unornamental for your garden, nor dangerous, nor even difagreeable to exa- mine. The effential generic characters are, that the corolla is funnel-fhaped, the bor- der plaited; the ftamens a little inclined; the ftigma notched; the capfule ovate, marked with a furrow on each fide, bival- vular, and opening from the top. ; Commot- . PENT. MON. Luride. Common or broad-leaved Tobacco? is dif- tinguifhed by its broad lanceolate leaves, which are about ten inches long, and three and an half broad, fmooth, ending i in acute points, and fitting clofe to the ftalks ; the corollas are of a pink purple, and end in five acute points. There is a fort like this, or perhaps a variety of it, called Oroonoko Tobacco, which is a larger plant, the leaves more than a foot and half long, and a foot broad; very rough and glutinous ; the bafe embracing the ftem: the corollas are of a pale purple. Another fpecies, called Enghih Tobacco *, might eafily be miftaken for a Henbane, if you did not remark the regular form of the corolla, and the want of a lid to the cap- fule. It is a lower plant than the others ; the leaves are ovate, entire, and on fhort petioles. The flowers come out in loofe bunches on the top of the ftalks; the co- rolla has a fhort tube, fpreading out into five obtufe fegments, of a greenifh yellow colour. Though this has the epithet of Englifh, you are not to fuppofe it to be an European plant, for it is a native of Ame- rica, as well as all the other fpecies, which are at leaft feven in number. a How the fame plant fhould come to have Atrops. the gentle appellation of Be/la-donna, and * Nicotiana Tabacum Linnai, Mill. fig. 185. 1 PI, 12. f. 1. * Nicotiana ruftica Linnzi. Blackw. t. 437. O 2 the > EE ANT ERP XVE: the tremendous name of Æfropa?, feems ftrange, till we know that it was ufed as a wath among the Italian ladies, to take off pimples and other excrefcences from the {kin ; and are told of its dreadful effects as a poifon. Linnæus has joined them, mak- ing //ropa the generic, and Be//a-donna the {pecific or trivial title. . The principal cha- racters which he gives of the genus are thefe—the corolla is bell-fhaped; the fila- ments grow from the bafe of it, are clofe at bottom, but at top diverge from each other, and are arched; the feed-veffel is a globofe berry, fitting on the calyx, which is large. Our fort, for there are fix fpecies of the genus, 1s a great branching plant, with ovate, entire RE and large fea coming out among the leaves fingly, on long peduncles ; ; the corolla is of a dufky ees colour on the outfide, and of a dull purple within 3 the ftalks rai a tinge of the fame spears as have alfo the Ra towards autumn. The berry is round, of a fhining black when ripe, and not unlike a black cherry i in fize and colour; it contains a purple juice of a mawkifh {weetneis, and has frequently en- ticed children to tafte it at their peril. I have known however the fame poifonous eiteéts follow from eating the young fhoots > From Atropos, the name of one of the furies. Fi- gured by Miller, pl. 62. Fl. dan. 758. Ger. 340. Blackw. 564. Curtis, Lond. 5. 16. of PENT. MON. Luride. of the fpring boiled, as from the crude ber- ries of autumn. Deadly Night/hade is rare- ly cultivated, and not common wild; it fkulks in gloomy lanes, and uncultivated places, but is too frequent near villages in fome countries. You have heard of the Mandrake’s Groan, . and ‘ of fhrieks, like Mandrakes torn out ‘ of the earth:”’ fuperftition having endued this plant with a fort of animal life, fatal to whoever prefumed to deftroy it by dig- ging up the root. It was famous, as Opium now, for procuring fleep; whence Cleo- patra fays, —‘“ Give me to drink AZandragora, € That I might fleep out this great gap of time My Anthony is away.” And the vile Iago boafts that —— Not Poppy, nor Mandragora, *¢ Nor all the drowfy fyrups of the world, “€ Shall ever med’cine thee to that {weet fleep *¢ Which thou hadft yefterday.” Since Mandrake groans and fhrieks when. injured, it muft needs have a human form; and accordinely fuch have been carried about for fale, notwithftandins the danger that attends the procuring it; but this is cunningly avoided by tying a dog to the root, and thus making the blind fury of the poor Mandrake fall upon the innocent dog inftead of the agsreflor. Thefe pretended O 3 Mandrakes 197 Phyfalis. LETTER XVI. Mandrakes are faid to be roots of Angelica or Bryony, either cut into form, or com- pelled to go through earthen moulds put into the ground for this purpofe: they were ufed in magical incantations; and though thefe are now pretty much out of fafhion, yet I have had them very gravely offered me for fale. Linnzeus formerly made this a diftin& genus from the laft, but. on fecond thoughts he has made it a fpecies of Atro- pa‘, diftinguifhing it from the others, by its having no ftems except the {capes which fupport a fingle flower. The root is like that of a parinep, fometimes forked; next the ground there is a circle of large, broad leaves ; the /capes or naked ftalks that fup- port the flowers are but about three inches long; the corollas are five cornered, and of a greenifh white or purplifh colour; the berry is as large as a nutmeg, and of a yel- lowifh green. The root and leaves are ftink- ing, andthe whole plant is poifonous,though, in {mall dofes, it is ufed medicinally. Another genus of this fame natural order is Phyfalis ; the characters of it are thefe— the corolla is wheel-fhaped ; the filaments and anthers are convergent or bend towards each other; and the feed-veflel is a berry inclofed within the calyx, which grows to a large inflated, coloured bladder. Winter- * Atropa Mandragora. Mill. fig. pl. 173. Blackw. 364. Cherry, PENT. MON. Luride. 199 Cherry 4, of which you have fuch abund- ance under your fhrubs, is a fpecies of this genus. The diftinguifhing marks are, that the leaves. are double or conjugate, that is, come out in pairs, are entire about the edges, or but very flightly indented, and fharp pointed ; the ftalk is herbaceous, and a little branching at bottom. The roots creep fo far as to be troublefome; the ftalks are only about a foot high; the leaves are of various fhapes, and have long petioles : the flowers are produced fingly from the axils of the ftalks on flender peduncles ; and have a white corolla, which, with the calyx, leaves, and ftalks, is hairy. This plant, which is fo humble and inconfider- able all the fummer, attracts your notice in autumn, by its great inflated calyx turn- ing red, and difclofing the round red berry within it, about the fize of a fmall cherry. But the principal genus of this natural solanum. order is the Night/hade, or Solanum, whence fome authors have entitled thefe plants So- lanaceæ. ‘There are no lefs than forfy-fix fpecies of Solanum; out of which I fhall feleé&t, as ufual, both fome wild and culti- vated forts, fuch efpecially as are either moft important, or moft likely to be within your reach, You will eafily know the genus by its wheel-fhaped corolla; by its large anthers clofed in the middle of the corolla, and * Phyfalis Alkekengi. Blackw. 161. O 4 feeming LETTER XVI. feeming to form but one body; and by its bilocular berry. Some of the fpecies have prickly ftalks and leaves; others are unarmed: hence a _ commodious partition of the genus into two, fubdivifions. A fhrubby, tall fort, from the Madeiras, without any {pines or prickles, has long been an inhabitant of the greenhoufe, which it adorns with its fplendid red berries ali the winter : the gardeners know it by the name. of Amomum Plinu ; and it is often called: Winter Cherry; fuch is the dearth of dif- tinétive names, and fuch the confufion arif- ing from the want of a regular language, like that which Linnæus rit intsodueeth into Botany. ‘The leaves are lance-fhaped, and have a waving edge‘: the flowers grow in {mall umbels, clofe to the branches; the corolla is white; and the berries are as large as a {mall cherry; generally red, but Torctinee yellow. Another fhrubby fort, without fpines, is the Woody N ight/hade, or Bitter-/weet ®, which grows commonly wild in aide hedges. PT his has a climbing, flexuous ftalk : the lower leaves lance- -thaped, the upper ones fometimes trifid: the flowers are in bunches, or branched cymes, coming out from the axils of the leaves; the corolla € Solanum Pfeudocapficum Liz. * Linnzus calls them repand. ® Solanum Dulcamara Lin. Curtis, Lond. I. 14. revolute, PENT. MON. Luride. revolute, purple, marked with two fhining green fpots at the bottom of each fegment ; and the berries red. Garden Night/bade* is alfo unarmed, but not fhrubby. it is an herb, an annual. The leaves are on long petioles, and being of a foft texture, are inclined to hang down. They are either of an ovate or rhomboid form, with long points, angulate and notch- ed about the edges: the flowers grow on a kind of nodding umbel; the corolla is white, and the berry is black. It is a common weedion dunghills, in gardens, and other richly cultivated places. It varies with yellow and red berries; and in the form of the leaves. | Potatoe * is of this genus, as you will be convinced, if you compare the ftru&ture of the flower with that of the other fpecies, Linnæus characterifes it by thefe diftinc- tions—that the ftalk is herbaceous and un- armed, the leaves pinnate and quite en- tire, the peduncles fubdivided : the corol- las are either purple or white, and the berry is large. Tomatos or Love-apple * is another fpecies of Nightfhade, which is alfo admitted to the table, and eaten with impunity, in {pite of the ill neighbourhood in which it is À Solanum nigrum Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 14. * Solanum tuberofum Lin. The Englifh name is evi- eid a corruption of the Indian Batatas. * Solanum Lycoperlicum Lin. Blackw. 133. found. LETTER: XVE found. ‘This has an unarmed, herbaceous ftem, which is very hairy; the leaves alfo are pinnate, but cut; and the flowers are borne on fimple unbranched bunches; the corolla is yellow, and the fruit or berry is large, flatted, and deeply furrowed. Melongena or Mad Apple” is ao of this genus; it is cultivated as a curiofity for the largenefs and fhape of its fruit; and when this is white, it has the name of Egg plant; and indeed it then perfectly refembles a hen’s egg in fize, fhape, and colour. The ftem of this is herbaceous, and without prickles; the leaves ovate and nappy; the peduncles pendulous, and growing thicker towards the top, and the calyxes unarmed. The corollas are purple, and the fruit va- ries much in colour. The three laft fpe- cies recede a little from the character of the order; for the Potatoe and Tomatos have many cells to the fruit, and this has but one. The prickly forts of Solanum are natives of hot countries, and moft of them are brought to us from the Spanifh Weft Indies : they will not therefore commonly fall un- der your obfervation. Capficum, or Guinea Pepper, is alfo of this lurid order; its beauty and ufe lies in the fruit, which Linnæus calls a dry or juice- lefs berry, and others a capfule or pod. Solanum Melongena Liz, Pluk. phyt. t. 226. f. 2. This PENT. MON. Luride. This circumftance, together with the ro- tate form of the corolla, and the anthers being connivent or converging, make up the eflential characters of the genus. Lin- nzus has only five fpecies, one annual”, with an herbaceous ftem, the reft perennial with woody ftems”. Others make many more fpeciés from the different form of the fruit ; which indeed varies much both in fhape and colour, and intermixt with the white flowers and green leaves, makes a pleafing variety: but Linnæus does not allow the form of the fruit in this genus to be perma- nent enough toconftitute {pecific differences. They are all very hot, and hence have the names of Bell Pepper, Hen Pepper, Bar- berry Pepper, and Bird Pepper. The Bell Pepper, which has large, {welling, wrinkled fruit, with a flefhy tender fkin, of a red colour when ripe, is the only fort fit for pickling. Cayan Pepper is made from the laft, whofe fruit is {mall, oval, and of a bright red, and much more pungent than the reft. Moft forts of Capficum come from both Eaft and Weft Indies. Though they are ufed in hot countries fo univerfally with their food, yet the ripe fruits thrown on the fire will emit ftrong noifome va- pours, which occafion violent {neezing, coughing, and often vomiting, in thofe who are near; and mixt in {nuit will have ™ Capficum annuum, Blackw. 120. * Capficum baccatum, finenfe, groflum & frutefcens, the 3 203 Lonicera. BETTER ©: XVI. the fame effects to a violent and dangerous degree: fo that thefe plants, though not ftridtly poifonous, are however worthy a place in the lurid tribe. In this firft order of the fifth clafs are to be found feveral well known fhrubs ; among which the Honey-/uck/eiseminent. Of thefe the Italian°, and Wild? {pecies are the prin- cipal. They are diftinguifhed by the firft having the upper pairs of leaves connate, or fo joined as to form but one, and the ftalk running through the middle of them: where- as in the wild honey-fuckle they are all dif- tinét. The Dutch or German Honey-fuckle of the gardens is fuppofed to be a variety only of this, though it is much ftronger, and not fo apt to climb. ‘The Woodbind has indeed very flender trailing branches, twining round the boughs of trees, and climbing to the very tops of them. Trumpet Honey-fuckletis a North Ame- rican; it agrees with the Italian in having the upper leaves connate ; with the Wood- bind in its flender trailing branches: but differs from both in the whorls of flowers being naked or void of leaves, and the co- rollas being almoft regular; the leaves alfo ° Lonicera Caprifolium Linnæi. Hort. angl. t. 5. Pier. 4.4. P Lonicera Periclymenum Linz. Woodbind. Curtis, Lond, I. 15. 2 Lonicera fempervirens Lin. Riv. mon. 116. are PENT, MON. SArubs. 20 Una are evergreen, and the corollas are bright {carlet on the outfide, and yellow within. There are other fpecies, which you will find among the fhrubs, differing in appear- ance, and receding fomething in charac- ter from Honey-fuckles properly fo called. Thefe have always two flowers only com- ing out together; whereas in the former the flowers go in whorls or heads many toge- ther. F/y Honey-fuckle' has the two ber- ries that fucceed the two neighbouring flowers diftinét; the leaves are entire and hoary; and the corollas are white. Red- berried upright Honey-fuckle* has the two berries joined together; the leaves lance- fhaped and {mooth; the corollas are red on the outfide, but pale within. This is not fo tall growing a plant as the other. The five recited {pecies agree in having a monopetalous irregular corolla, except that in the Trumpet Honey-fuckle it is almoft regular; in the genuine Honey-fuckles the tube is remarkably long. The feed-vefiel in all is a berry growing below the flower, and inclofing feveral feeds; though the laft has only two. The numerous genus of Rhamnus, con- Rhamnus. taining twenty-feven fpecies, is alfo of the firft order in the clafs Pentandria: thefe are either thorny, prickly, or unarmed. Buck- * Lonicera Xylofteum Lin. Mill. fig. 167. 1. * Lonicera alpigena Lin. Mill. fig. 167, 2. thorn BEAT ER VE thorn* is one of the firft; having thorns terminating the branches, the {tem ere&, the leaves ovate, and the calyx cut into four fegments: the berries have four feeds in them, and if you wet them and rub them on white paper, they will {tain it of a green colour. ] mention thefe two cifcumftances, becaufe they who gather the berries for fale are apt to mix others with them: and I know you will be interefted in them, when I inform you, that the fine green colour", which you ufe in your miniature painting, is made from thefe berries. If you fhould have the curiofity to fearch the hedges for them, in order to make this paint yourfelf, you muft not be furprifed if you do not find them on every Buckthorn fhrub; for all the flowers are incomplete, fome plants having them with ftamens, others with a piftil only ;,and the former of thefe are never fucceeded by fruit. Berry-bearing Alder‘ is one of the un- armed fpecies. It grows in woods, is a black looking fhrub, with bunches of in- confiderable herbaceous flowers, with a quinquefid corolla, fucceeded by black ber- ‘ries containing four feeds: the leaves are ovate, fmooth, and quite entire. * Rhamnus catharticus Liz. Fl, dan. 850. Duham. 50. Ger. 1337. * Verd de veffie. * Rhamnus Frangula Lia, Fl. dan. 278. Duham. yoo. Ger. 1470. Another PENT. MON. Shrubs. Another of the unarmed divifion is the Alaternus”, formerly {o fhorn and beclipped in hedges, and covering of walls; but now feen chiefly among other evergreens, taking its natural form. pers leaves are ex- tremely fhining, generally notched or ferrate about the edges; the flowers have a trifid ftigma, and are incomplete, like thofe of the Buckthorn: the corolla is quinquefid, and the berry has three feeds. There are fe- veral varieties of A/aternus, differing in the fhape of the leaves, and depth of the ferra- tures; they are alfo fometimes blotched or variegated. This fhrub is frequently con- founded with Pdilyrea, from which it may be known at all times by the pofition of the leaves, which is alternate in this, and Oppo- fite in that: when the two fhrubs are in flower, you perceive other more eflential diftinGions. Paliurus, or Chriffs-T ae , is one te the prickly divifion. It has double prickles, the. under ones reflex ; and is another inftance of irregularity in this genus, the germ being trilocular, furrounded by a membranaceous rim, and crowned by three ftyles. It has a pliant weak ftem requiring {ome fupport ; the flowers grow in clufters, and are of a greenifh yellow colour: the corollas are quinquefid. Being very common in Palef- tine, it is fuppofed to be the thorn with which our Saviour was crowned. Rhamnus Alaternus Zin, * Rhamnus Paliurus Lin. The 20% 208 Coffea, PET ERO VV: The common characters of all thefe is, that there is only a calyx or corolla, with five {mall fcales, one at the bafe of each divifion, bending towards one another, and defending the ftamens; the feed-vefiel a roundifh berry, divided within into fewer parts than the corolla or calyx. Currants and Goofeberries *, the Ivy* and the Vine*, arealfo of this paler Monogynia ; but being ik well known to you and every body, I will not dwell on them, having already run out this letter to fo great a length. Some other trees and fhrubsarelefs known, becauie they are the growth of hotter climes. Such is the coffee”, originally of Arabia, though now common in both the Indies. It is known by its falver-fhaped corolla, with the ftamens growing upon thetube of it; and by its féed-veflel, which is a berry below the flower, containing two feeds, covered with an aril, or detached coat. This tree does not grow above fixteen or eighteen feet high ; ; the leaves are large, of a Tucid green, lance- fhaped, and waving about the edges. The flowers are produced i in clufters, alote to the branches ; the corollas are quinquefid, of a pure white colour, and a very grateful odour. It is an evergreen, and at all times makes a beautiful appearance. 7 Ribes Linnai. z Hedera Helix Lin. @ Vitis vinifera Lin. > Coffea Arabica Linnei. Blackw. 337. Dougl. et Ellis monogr. Cefirum PENT. MON. Shrubs. 209 Cefirum or Baftard Fafmine is a fhrub of cefrum. the Weft Indies, and therefore requires a ftove to keep it alive in thefe northern coun- tries. It has a funnel-fhaped corolla; the filaments have a little proces in the middle; and the feed-veffel is an unilocular berry, containing feveral feeds. One fpecies* has clufters of herbaceous flowers on fhort pe- , duncles, {melling {weetly in the night. And another, with leaves of a lively green, *. ‘and great confiftence, has clufters of white flowers, fitting clofe to the ftalk, fmelling {weet in the day time. Diofma is a genus of fhrubs from the Diofma. Cape of Good Hope. ‘Thefe are of another phalanx, having five petals to the corolla, which is inferior, or inclofes the feed-veflel. The germ alfo is crowned with five necta- ries, and becomes three or five united cap- fules, containing each one feed, with an elaftic Ari/ involving it. ‘The flowers are fmall, but elegant; white, and of an agree- able {picy odour. Other foreign trees and fhrubs of this clafs and order are, the Jrox-wood tree‘, the Phylicas, the Mango-tree', and tome others: but fince it is not probable that you will meet with thefe, I have not troubled you with their characters, or any account of them. © Ceftrum no@urnum Zim. Dill. elth. t. 153. f. 185. * Ceftrum diurnum Lin. Dill, elth. t. 154. f. 186. € Sideroxylon, f Mangifera Indica Lin. There 210 Phlox. Mirabilis. LETTER XVI. There remain fome fpecious plants to be noticed, which are commonly cultivated in: flower gardens for their beauty. Such are all the fpecies of Lychnidea®: which you will know by their falver-fhaped corolla, with a bent tube; their filaments of un- equal length; their trifid ftigma; their prif- matic calyx; their three-celled capfule, with one feed in each cell. They are perennial plants; the corollas of moft of the fpecies are large, and of a purple colour ; and the leaves are lance-fhaped. They are the produce of North America. Upon the firft difcovery of the New World, as America was vauntingly called, every thing found there was reprelented as wonderful. Strange ftories were related of the plants and animals they met with, and thofe which were fent to Europe had pom- pous names given them. One of thete is the Marvel of Peru, the only wonder of which is the variety of colours in the flower. It appertains to this-clafs and order, and has the following generic marks—the corolla is funnel-fhaped, the ftigma globofe; and there is a globofe neétary incloting the germ, which afterwards hardens to a kind of nut. There are three {pecies: firft, the common Marvel of Peru®, which has fo much variety of colour in the flowers of the {ame plant; thefe are produced plentifully & Phlox Linnai. See Mill. fig. 205: * Mirabilis Jalapa Lin, Blackw. t. 404. : | PENTAND. MONOG. at the ends of the branches, and in hot weather do not open till towards evening; but when it is cool covered weather, éon- tinue open the greateft part of the day. Secondly; that whofe root was fuppoted, though erroneoufly; to yield the Jalap'; the flalks of this are fwollen at thé joints, the leaves are {maller and the flowers fit fingly; clofe in the axils of the leaves : they are not variable, but all of a purplifh red, and not much more than half the fize of the others : the fruit alfo is very rough: In the Weft Indian iflands, where it is very common, they call it four o'clock flower. Thirdly the long -jlowered Marvel of Peru*, whofe coroilas are white, and have remarkably long tubes ; they have a mufky odour, and keep clofe fhut all the day, expanding as the fun declines: they grow in bunches like the firft fort, and fhe’ feeds are rough like the fecond : this differs from both the others in having weak. ftalks that require fome fupport ; and thefe, with the leaves, are hairy and vifcous. This fpecies is from Mexico, and has not been long known. Z1F The Cr cfféd Aniarantk belongs alfo to this Celcfia: place ; it is commonly called Cut s comb, from the form in which the head of flowers grows. It ranges in the divifion of incom- plete, inferior flowers: and the generic characters are—that the exterior calyx con- 5 Mirabilis dichotoma Lin. Mart. cent. t. r. * Mirabilis longiflora Lin. P 2 fifts 212 PES ERA VISE fiits of three dry, coloured leaves, within which is a corolla or fecond calyx, con- fitting of five ftiff, fharp-pointed leaves : that ee is a {mall rim furrounding the germ, from which the filaments take their ee and that the feed-veflel is a round cap- files opening horizontally, and containing three feeds. There are many fpecies; but that which is fo much efteemed for the variety of form and colours in its fine creft of flowers, is diftinguifhed by oblong ovate leaves ; round,, {triated peduncles ; at oblong fpikes'. The colours are red, purple, yellow, white, and variegated; and fome are like a fine plume of fcarlet feathers. You mutt not however confound thefe plants with the Amaranth or Prince’s Feather, which you will find in a place far diftant from this. One natural order more fhall, if you pleafe, conclude your labours, and my prate, for the prefent. ‘It has its name” from this circumitance; the divifions of the co- rolla are turned or bent in the fame direction with the apparent motioh ef the fun. But befides'this fingularity, *the'flowers of this order have a'one-leafeë calyx divided into five fegments; a corolla of one petal; and a fruit “confifting of two veflels, containing many feeds. In moft of the genera thete 1 Celofia criftata Lin. m Contortæ Lin. 5 fruits PENT. MON. Contortæ. 21 fruits are follicles*. The corollas in the greater part are funnel-fhaped ; and are fur-" nifhed with a remarkable neéfary. The common Periwincle, which covers Vinea. the ground and creeps about the bottoms of the hedges, in many parts of your planta- tions, may ferve you very well for an ex- ample of this order. It has a falver-fhaped corolla, fucceeded by two erect follicles, which contain feeds that are called naked or fimple, to diftinguifh them from thofe of {ome other genera, which are winged. You will obferve alfo that the tube of the corolla forms a pentagon, at top; nor will it efcape you, that there are two large ftigmas, one over the other. Linnæus will not allow that the little running fort®, and the upright one with larger flowers’, are diftinét fpecies. With- out entering into any controverfy on a matter not eafy to fettle, you know them afunder not only by their fize, but by the ftalks of the firft lying on the ground, and the leaves being narrower, and fharp-pointed towards either end, that is lance-fhaped, and on very fhort petioles; whereas the {talks of the fecond are upright, and will climb alittle, and the leaves are hollow at " This is a dry feed-veflel, of one cell and one valve ; the feeds lie loofe in a down, and the fhell opens on one fide to let them efcape, ° Vinca minor Lin. Curtis, Lond. III. 16. P Vinca major Lin. Curtis, Lond. 1V.19. Pl. 32. LS. F3 the Wo 214 Nerium. LETTER. XVI the bafe, and ovate, fharper pointed at the end, and on longer petioles. There’ isa Eire fort, called Upright Peri- qwincle, for which we are obliged to the Ifland ue Madagafcar, and of courte it: res quires the protection of a ftove, in our cold- er climates. It has a ftiff, upright, branch- ing ftalk, woody at bottom ; the leaves are = an oblong ovate fhape, {mooth and fuccu- lent, and fitting pretty clofe to the branches ; (orn the axils of thefe come out the flowers, on very fhort peduncles, generally fingle, but fometimes two together: the tube of the corolla is long and fender, the brim very flat, the upper furface of a bright crimfon or peach colour ; the under ne a pale flefh colour : and le is a conftant fucceffion of thefe beautiful flowers from February to O&tober : the corolla is fometimes white. The Oleander® is one of the moft beauti- ful plants of this tribe. The genus has two erect follicles, like the laft ; but the feeds inclofed in them are downy : there isa fhort crown alfo terminating the tube of the corolla cut into narrow “fegments, and the divifions of the corolla are oblique to the tube. This fhrub grows to the height of eight or ten feet; the branches come out by threes from tHe main ftem; and the leaves alfo come out by threes ‘from the branches, on very fhort petioles, point up- 4 Vinca rofea Lin. Mill. fig. 186. * Nerium Oleander Liz. Figured in Miller’s illuftr, wards, PENT. MON. Contortæ. 215 wards, are very fuff, and end in fharp points. The flowers come out in bunches at the ends of the branches; the corolla is of a bright purple, varying to crimfon or white. It grows wild in feveral countries about the Mediterranean Sea, but with us is generally kept in tubs, not being hardy enough to fuftain the feverity of all our winters. But the moft admired of this tribe is the Gardenia. Cape Fafmine*, which was firft difcovered near the Cape of Good Hope by the fuperior fragrancy of its flowers. The divitions of the calyx are uniform and vertical, and the feed-veflel is a two or four-celled berry, below the flower. ‘The branches come out by pairs; and the leaves are oppofite, clofe to the branches, of a fhining green, and thick confiftence: the flowers are produced at the ends of the branches; the corolla is of one petal only, but cut into many fegments, of which it has fometimes three or four rows, and then it is as large and as double as a rofe: the anthers are inferted on the tube without filaments. The colour of the corolla is white, changing as it decays to a buff- colour; andthe odour is that of Orange flowers or Narciflus. There is another plant of this order of Plumeria. twifted corollas, called alfo a Fa/mine, with the addition of Red, but of a very different genus from the Jafmines properly fo called. Plumeria or Red Fafinine has two reflex * Gardenia florida Zin, Mill. fig. 180. Px follicles, 216 LE TyT ER: XVis follicles, with the feeds flat, winged, and imbricate. There are four or five known {pecies, all natives of the Spanifh Weft In- dies, except one, which comes from Senegal. The fort moft known‘ has oblong ovate leaves, with two glands upon the petioles : it grows to the height of eighteen or twenty feet ; the ftalks abound with a milky juice, and towards the top put out a few thick fuc- culent branches ; at the ends of which come out the flowers in clufters, fhaped like thofe of the Oleander; of a pale red colour, and having an agreeable odour. Thefe being never fucceeded by the fruit in our northern climes, you will not be able to difcern the generic character. Cinchona, The famous Fe/uits’ Bark is from a tree. of this clafs and order“, approaching in its characters to the natural tribe of Contorte: to which alfo belong fome plants of the fecond order of this fifth clafs, becaufe they have two piftils: fuch are the Periplocas, the Cynanchums, and the numerous genus of Afclepias. A/clepias, containing twenty-feven fpecies. Of this laft, you have the common Swa/low- wort, or Tame poifon’, whofe root is fup- pofed to be a powerful antidote to poifons : it has a fhort upright ftalk, ovate leaves bearded at the baie, white flowers growing t Plumeria rubra Lin, Catefb. car. 2. 92. Ehret. t. 10. " Cinchona officinalis Lin. * Afclepias Vincetoxicum Lin. FI. dan. 849. in PENTAND. MONOG. 217 in proliferous umbels“, and each of them fucceeded by two long, jointed follicles, in- clofing feveral eyrnarcticd feeds, crowned with a foft whitedown. This is a native of the fouthern countries of Europe, and is very hardy. Other fpecies are much larger, growing to the height of fix or feven feet. Some creep very much at the root, and be- come troublefome in a garden. Others coming from the Cape, or the warm parts of America, require care and heat to preferve them. Some have white, others purple, orange, or red corollas. Some have the leaves oppofite ; others have them alternate; in fome again they are flat, whilft others have their edges rolled back. Many of the forts are very handfome. They all agree in the following circumftances, which there- fore form the generic character—that the {egments of the corolla are bent back; that five ovate, hollow neétaries, ending at bot- tom in a fharp fpur, involve the ftamens and piftils; and that each flower is fucceeded by two follicles, inclofing many downy feeds. Stapelia is fo remarkable a plant of this $tapelia: tribe, that I muft not omit mentioning it. This has a very large wheel-fhaped corolla, divided beyond the middle into five feg- ments, which are broad, flat, and fharp- pointed. The nectary isa double ftar, one of them furrounding, the other covering ¥ That is, the large umbels have fmaller ones iffuing from them. the 218 { We Tree ER OSV the ftamens and piftils. Two follicles, in- clofing many flat, downy feeds, follow each flower. There are three known fpecies, all grow- ing naturally at the Cape of Good Hope, and all having fucculent branches, as thick at leaft as a man’s finger. The three forts are diftinguifhed by the indentures on the fides of thefe leaflefs branches; which in the firft * fpread open horizontally, ending in acute points; in the fecond’ have their points erect; and in the third * obtufe. In the firtt {pecies the flowers come out fingly on a fhort peduncle from the fide of the branches towards the bottom: the co- rolla is greenifh on the outfide, but yellow within, having a purple circle round the nectaries, and the whole is finely fpotted with purple, like a frog’s belly. The branches of the fecond fort are much larger, and ftand more erect; they have four longi- tudinal furrows, and the indentures are on the ridges betweenthem. ‘The flowers are much bigger than thofe of the laft, of a thicker fubftance, and covered with fine purplifh hairs: the ground of it 1s a greemifh yellow, ftreaked and chequered with pur- plifh lines. But the great fingularity of thefe plants is that the flow er when fully open has a fetid * Stapelia variegata Lin. Bradl. fucc. 3. t.22. Cur- tis Mag. 26. ¥ Stapelia hirfuta Lin. Mill. fig. 258. * Stapelia mammillaris Lin, Burm. aff. t. 11. {mell PENTAND. MONOG. fmell fo perfectly refembling that of carrion, that the common flefh-fly depofits her eggs in it, which frequently are hatched into little worms, but never proceed any farther, or become flies. A rareinftance this of an animal miftaking its infting. Having by this time fufficiently fatigued you, [ leave you, dear coufin, to meditate on this irregularity in the operations of na- ture, and once more heartily bid you adieu. LETTER 219 ee ET BORO Ve. ON THE OTHER ORDERS OF THE FIFTH CLASS, PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA, &c. May the rft, 1774. AM. not furprifed, dear coufin, at your being folicitous to know what the nectary is, which I mentioned feveral times in my laft. But I am not difpofed at pre- fent to fatisfy your curiofity any farther, than to inform you, that it is an appendage to the corolla, and that there is a juice in it, probably of ufe to the plant, certainly ferving for the food of bees, and number- lefs other infects. It is a perfeét Proteus, and puts on a far greater variety of forms than the fon of Neptune. Another time I may perhaps enter more deeply into this matter; but at prefent we will go ftraight on our way. You will have great pleafure when I in- form you, that the fecond order of the fifth clafs * is almoft wholly made up of the Usn- bellate tribe of plants’, which you are al- ready fo well acquainted with: there are however fome, which the circumftances of having five ftamens and two piftils bring into the fame divifion of the arbitrary fv{- 2 Pentandria Digynia Lin, » See Letter V. L tem, ie PENTAND. DIGYN, be ie) 4 tem, thouoh theÿ are not naturally related to them, A few of thefe we will examine, before we enter into a detail of the Umbe/- late tribe. Many of them have incomplete flowers, or are deficient in the corolla ; and may be found among the O/eraceous plants in the natural orders of Linnzus, by other au- thors called Apetalous. Such are all the Goo/efoots, of which there Chenopo- are no lefs than twenty fpecies, moft ofdium. them growing common on dunghills, and in wafte places, and having no beauty to attract your notice. “They are known by their five-leaved, five-cornered calyx, in- clofing one round, flattifh feed, fhaped like a lens. One of the moft refpeétable {pecies is the Englifh Mercury or Allgood*, grow- ing frequently in wafte places, and by walls and way-fides; and cultivated in fome places as a fubftitute to Spinach. The leaves of this are triangular, quite entire, waving, and having the under furface covered with a kind of meal; the flowers grow in com- pound fpikes, which are deftitute of leaves, and ipring from the axils. Beet is very nearly allied to thefe in its Beta. characters; but it is diftinguifhed by hav- ing a kidney-fhaped feed, wrapped up in the fubftance of the calyx. In its wild ftate, on the fea-coaft, and in falt marfhes 4, ¢ Chenopodium Bonus Henr eus Lin. Curtis, Lond. ul. 37. Ger. 32. 4 Peta maritima Lin, if 222 Salfola. LETTER xVil it has two flowers coming out together; the ftalks are weak, and lie moftly « on the ground, the leaves are triangular and oblique or vertical; the divifions of the calyx are equal and not toothed at bottom, and it flowers the firft year of its rifing from feed. The garden fort * has many flowers coming out together, the ftalks ere, the leaves oblong “lance- -fhaped, thick and fucculent ; the divifions of the calyx ate toothed at the bafe, and it does not flower till the fecond year. It fometimes has pale green leaves, and {mall roots; fometimes dark red ot purple leaves, with large purple roots fhaped like a carrot ; but thefe are not generally tuppofed to be diftina {pecies. The Glafworts are alfo of this Okraceous tribe. They are diftinguifhed by having a large feed, {piral like a Mee covered wah 4 kind of capfule which is wrapped up in the calyx. ‘There is one fort that grows wild in the falt marfhes', which Hes a herbaceous ftalk that lies on the ground; awl-fhaped, rough-leaves terminating in {pines ; the calyxes edged; and fitting clofe in the axils, and a trifid fty le. Another fort which grows wild in warmer countries, has alfo herbaceous © Beta vulgaris Lin: f Salfola Kali Lin. Fl. dan. 818. Mor. hift. 3. 5. t. Tarte € Salfola Soda Lin. Jacqu. hort. t. 68. fpreading PENTAND. DIGYN. fpreading ftems ; but it is a much larger plant than the other, and the leaves have no fpines. ‘Thefe or any of the forts yield the cauftic alkaline falt, which is fo necef- fary in that moft elegant and ufeful manu- facture of glafs; but this is the fort gene- rally ufed. The Globe Amaranth” is of this clafs and Gom- order. Its fine round head is compofed o many flowers, which have a large, boat- fhaped, flat, coloured calyx, of two leaves; a corolla divided into five rude, villous feg- ments; a cylindric nectary, divided into five parts at top; a ftyle cut half way into two; and a capfule opening horizontally, and containing one feed. India is its native country: the ftalk is erect and annual; the leaves are lance-fhaped, as are the branches and peduncles, which are long and naked, except that a pair of fhort leaves grows clofe under each head of flowers, which always comes out fingle. “he calyx and corolla being dry and chaffy, will retain their colour feveral years, and hence their name of Amaranth or incorruptible. Bright purple is the ufual colour, but fometimes the heads are brilliant white, or filver- coloured. The name muft not lead you to fuppofe this, any more than the crefcd Amaranth, to be of the fame kind with the f phrena. true Amaranth’. When you are told that Ulmus. k Gomphrena globofa Lin, Mill, fig, pl. 21. * See Letter XXVIII. the 224 ier yen VIT the En is of the fame clafs and order, and alfo one of the incomplete tribe, as having no corolla, you will probably reflect that an artificial fyftem is very different from a natural arrangement: and in this you are not miflaken ; but then you muft contider, that an artificial fyftem is the only one that can enable you to find out the genera and fpecies of plants, which 1s the art I propole to inftruét you in. Few perfons know that the Elm has any flower, be- caufe it 1s inconfiderable in fize and appear- ance, and comes out in an early inclement feafon: however this tree in reality abounds in flowers, before the leaves make their ap- pearance. They have no corolla, but a quinquefid calyx: the flower quickly pañles, and is fucceeded by one feed covered and furrounded by a flat membrane. The dif- ferent forts, known by the names of Rough Witch Elm, Smooth-leaved Witch Elm, Witch Hazel, Englifh Eln, Dutch Elm, Upright Elm, &c. are fuppoted to be varieties of one {pecies *; andall have doubly-ferrated leaves, unequal at the bafe. Gentiena The Gentians are alfo of this clafs and order, and of that fubdivifion which has monopetalous inferior corollas. “They are diftinguifhed from the other genera of this fabdivifion by the capfule, which is ob- long, round, and fharp-pointed; has one k Ulmus campeftris Zin. Duham. t. 108, Hunter’s , vel. filva, p. 114. cell. PENTAND. DIGYN. cell, opens by two valves; and has two receptacles on the infide, each adhering lengthwife to one of the valves. The form of the fruit is conftant; whereas the figure and number of parts in the flower vary in the different fpecies, which are numerous !, Great part of the fkill and fagacity of the botanift confifts in feizing thofe parts which are conftant in all the fpecies, for the ge- neric characters, and in this confifts the great merit of Linnæus; writers before him having either taken all parts indifcrimi- nately, or elfe the fame part invariably for this purpofe. The fpecies have either four or five pe- tals, and the latter have either funnel- fhaped corollas, or elfe approaching to bell- fhaped; hence a threefold divifion of the genus. The principal of the genus is the Great Yellow Gentian™, which has a fingle ftalk, three feet high, covered with leaves that are large, ovate, marked underneath with nerves meeting at the tip; the lower ones petiolate, the upper feflile. ‘There is but one flower to a peduncle, but they grow round the ftalk in whorls: the calyx re- fembles a double fpathe: the corolla is rotate, cut into five fegments"; the colour yellow irregularly dotted. The root is very 1 Thirty-nine. = Gentiana lutea Lin, Mill. fig. 139. 2. * Varying fometimes as far as eight, large, te to ON Chlora. LETTER XVII. large, and remarkably bitter; it communi- cates the bitternets fo mhchito thie whole plant, that it remains always untouched by the cattle in the mountainous paftures of Germany and Switzerland, where it grows naturally. The Lefer Centaury ° is of this genus, and is diftinguifhed by its dichotomous ftalk, and its funnel-fhaped corollas divided into five fegments; they are of a bright purple colour, but often fade to white. This plant is annual, and varies much in height. according to the foil, from three or four inches toa foot. ‘This is extremely bitter as well as the other. There are feveral beautiful littl Gen- tians, with flowers of the fineft blue that can be imagined, growing wild in the Alps. One of them is “frequently cultivated in gardens, under the name of Gentianella’, and is fingular for having its fine bell-fhaped azure flowers larger than the whole plant befides. Yellow Centaury * is alfo naturally of this genus; but has been removed to the eighth clafs ; firf with the title of Black/tonia, and now under that of Chlora. But methinks you are étions to be ° Gentiana Centaurium Lin. Chironia Centaurium Curtis, Lond. IV. 22. ’ Gentiana Acaulis Lin. Jacquin auftr. 2. t. 135. Curt. Magaz. 52. « Chlora perfoliata Lin. See Letter XIX. on UMBELLAT &, 227 en ground: youiare-better acquainted with, And indeed you are already fo well verfed in the nature of the umbellate tribe, that I am perfuaded you wall find little difficulty in determining the genera and {pecies. Many of them are very generally known, either for their ufe in medicine or the’ kitchen, or ‘elfe for their poifonous qualities. Moft of thofe which grow on dry foils have roots that have an! aromatic pungent fmell and tafte ; whilft thofe which grow in moift places or in the water, as many of them do, are in a greater or lefs degree poifonous. : You have long fince been able to diftin- scandix, guifh true Parfley and Chervil from Fool’s- Parfley'. There is another wild plant that grows upon banks and by way-fides, called Hemlock-Chervil*, which has been. mif- taken for Garden-Chervil‘, and has pro- duced bad effects, when put into foups: it is not however fo dangerous, becaufe it does not grow wild in gardens, and we muft go out of our way to poifon ourfelves : on another account however it is more dan- gerous, becaufe it is not only of the fame divifion, as having partial involucres only, but alfo. of the fame genus; and therefore liable to be miftaken for the true Chervil, even when in flower, which Fool’s-Parfley © See Letter V, * Scandix Anthrifcus Lin. Curtis, Lond. I. 19. * Scandix Cerefolium Lin. Jacquin auftr. 4. t. 390. Compare PI, 13. f. 2, & Pl. 5. f. 3. Q2 cannot 228 Sium. LETTER XVII. cannot be. ‘They have both a radiate co- rolla, petals notched at the end, the flowers in the middle often incomplete and produc- ing no feed, and the fruits of an oblong fhape. However, notwithftanding all this fimilitude of character, they are eafily to be diftinguifhed both in and out of flower. Hemlock-Chervil is a much lower plant; the ftalks are {mooth indeed, and the leaves finely cut, but they are hairy, the divifions much fmaller and clofely placed, and the green much deeper than in Garden Chervil; the corollas alfo are uniform, the feeds ovate, and very rough. Garden Chervil is a tall, genteel, fmooth plant; the umbels come out on the fides of the branches, and fit clofe to them; and the feeds are long, narrow and fhining. After all, I am per- fuaded that when you have an opportunity of comparing thefe two plants together, as you eafly may, the gardener furnifhing you with one, and the other being fo com- mon in a wild ftate, you will wonder that any perfon fhould ever have confounded them. Here you fee we have an inftance of an umbellate plant, growing on dry land, that is poifonous; you are not therefore to conclude that all thefe are wholefome, any more than that every water fpecies is poifonous. ; We have another inftance of fatal confu- fion, not in two plants of this tribe, but in one of this, with another of a different clats ; 8 namely, UMBELLATÆ. namely, of the Creeping Water Parfnep”, with Water Cre/s*, which belongs to the cruciform flowers. You are fo well mif- trefs of both tribes, that it is impoflible you fhould miftake them when in flower; but this is not the time when Water-Crefles are eaten, and this plant is fo different in its flowering ftate, that I am perfuaded an eater of it would think himfelf impofed upon, if he were then fhown it for Water- Crefles. When they are both young they are really not unlike; and fince they fre- quently grow together, the one may fome- times be gathered for the other; though I muft confefs that I have not met with the miftake more than twice, and that only in a fingle piece among a confiderable quan- tity: however, the leaves of Water Parf- nep are of a light green; the fmall leaves compofing the whole winged or pinnate leaf are longer and narrower, ferrated on the edges, and pointed at the end; whereas thofe of Water-Crefles have a tincture of brown upon them, the leaflets are roundith, and particularly the odd one at the end is very large and blunt, and they are none of them regularly ferrated, but have only a few indentures on their edges. * Sium nodiflorum Lin, Fl. dan. t. 247. Mor, hift. fo, te Grea. * Sifymbrium Nafturtium Zin, FI], dan. t, 690. Mor. hift. f. 3. t. 4. f. 8. Ger. 257. 5. Compare PI, 13. f. x. with PL ar, Q 3 The 229 230 Conium. LETTER XVII. The characters by which you will know the Water-Parfnep when in flower. are thefe—it /has both an univerfal and partial involucre, the flowers’ are all fertile, the petals are heart-fhaped, and the feeds are ovate and ftreaked.’ “Thisfpecies is dif- tinguifhed from the others by its pinnate leaves, and the umbels of flowers fitting clofe to the ftem, in the axils. Another poifonous herb.of great fame is the Hemlock”. A tall plant, three feet high and more, eafily known by its purple- {potted ftalk. It ‘has both involucres, the univerfal of three}: four, five, or feven broadifh reflexed leaves; the partial of three or four broad leaves ‘only, on one fide of the umbel; both very fhort. The flowers are all fertile; irregular without, regular within: the petals heart-fhaped. The fruit is almoft fpherical, marked with five notched ridges. The common fpecies is diftin- guifhed by its {mooth ftreaked feeds. The leaves are large, abundant, of a dark green but fhining, triply pinnate, with the laft divifions obtufely indented; :1t has many umbels of white flowers, with numerous {preading rays. It grows wild on ditch banks, in fhady lanes, about dunghills and church-yards: and is a biennial plant. The waters afford other poifonous herbs, ~ Conium maculatum Lin, Curtis, Lond. 1. 17. Ger. 1061. ‘ ' . as UMBELLAT Æ. 231 as Water-Hemlock *, Long-leaved Water- Hemlock ¥, Hemlock Water Dropwort*, and Common Water Dropwort*: but let us quit thefe ill-omened plants, and proceed to others more innocent, and more within your reach. Two umbellate plants you will be fure Chero- to find under every hedge, called /Vi/d Cher- PPYlam- vil” and Rough Chervil*: they are both of the fame genus, but of a different genus from Garden Chervil. They have partial, but no univerfal involucres; thefe are of five leaves, concave and bent back; fome flow- ers in the middle drop without leaving feeds; the petals are bent in and heart- fhaped; and the fruit is oblong and {mooth. The firft, vulgarly called Cow-eed or Cow- parfley, has a {mooth ftreaked ftalk, and the joints {welling but a little. The fecond has a rough ftalk, and the joints more tu- mid. ‘The firft is remarkably leafy, and the leaves very large, and generally fmooth, except the nerves. The. fecond has hairy * Phellandrium aquaticum Lin. Mor. hift. f. 0. t. 7, 07. Caer, 1003. 2. ¥ Cicuta virofa Lin. F1. dan. 208. Mor. hift. f. 9. t. 5 f. 4. Ger. 256. 4. + Oenanthe crocata Lin. Philof, Tranfac. for 1747. Ger. 1059. 4. * Oenanthe fiftulofa Liz. Fl. dan. 846. Mor. hift. f.9. te 7. f. 8. Ger. 1060. > Chærophyllum fylveftre Zin. Curtis, Lond. IV. 25. Mor. hift. t. 11. f. 5. ° © Chærophyllum temulum Ziz. Curt. Lond, n. 61. Mor. hift. t, 19, f. 7. Ger. 1038, 2. Q4 leaves, 232 Daucus. LETTER XVII. leaves, not fo large, nor fo much divided ; the umbels ufually nod, and the feeds are deeply ftreaked. Both fometimes have a leaf at the origin of the univerfal umbel: both have a ftrong fmell, and approach in their qualities to the forementioned plants, but not enough to denominate them poi- fonous. Some of this tribe are fo generally ufed in food, that they are univerfally known, and therefore it feems impertinent to fay any thing to you about them; and yet you may have. eaten the roots of eee and Parfneps, the ftalks of Angelica, Celeri and Finochia, the leaves of Parfley, Fennel, and Sampire, the feeds of Coriander and Carraways, with- out knowing one of the plants when they they are prefented to you. However, when you meet with any of thefe in flower, you afcribe them immediately to the umbellate tribe. Carrot, Sampire, and Angelica range among thofe which have both inyolucres; Coriander has a partial involucre only ; and the reft have neither one nor the other. Carrot* has a large winged involucre: fome flowers in the middle drop without feed, and the fruit is {tiff with briftles. The outer flowers are very irregular: and the whole umbel, as it approaches a ftate of maturity, takes a hollow form, very like a bird’s nett. « Daucus Carota Lin. -In the cultivated fort all the flowers are fertile. F1. dan. 723. Mor. umb, t. 2. Ger, 1028. The UMBELLATÆ. 233 The leaves are rough andhairy. The gar- den Carrot differs little from the wild one, but in the fize and tendernefs of the root. Sampire® has the umbel not flat, or hol- Crith- low like the laft, but hemifpherical, the 7“ flowers all alike and fertile, the petals flat, the fruit ovate, flatted. The ftalks are fuc- culent, the leaves pinnate, compofed of three or five divifions, each of which has three or five {mall, thick, lance-fhaped leaves ; the corollas are yellow. ‘This herb ftrikes its roots deep into the crevices of the rocks, and hangs down; growing chiefly in places difh- cult of accefs, the herb- gatherers are tempted to fubftitute another plant’, which they ob- tain without trouble on the beach, but which has none of the warm, aromatic qua- lity of the Sampire. Thofe who live on the . Eaft coaft muft wonder what is meant by calling the occupation of aSampire-gatherer, dangerous trade, when they obtain it walk- ing at their eafe on the flat fandy fhore. But theirs is a roundifh, jointed, taftlefs ftalk, with a tough ftring running through the middle of it®, inftead of a flat leaf, with a pungent tafte. This Marfh Sampire ranges in the firft order of the firft clafs, and is burnt to make kelp for the glafs-works. © Crithmum maritimum Liz. Jacqu. hort. 2. 187. Ger. 533. 1. Inula crithmoides Zin. Golden Sampire. & Salicornia europea Lin. Marth Sampire, called alfo jointed Glaffwort or Saltwort. FI. dan. 303. Blackw. 598. Lies Here 234 Angelica, LETTER XVII. Here you fee what confufion of names we have again, and how difficult it muft beto obtain the plant you want, without know- ing fomething more of it than the name. It is generally true of objects much in requeft, that where people have them not, they fubftitute others, to which they give the fame title, whether they have the fame qua- lities or no; by which, if they do not injure themfelves or their neighbours, they at leaft miflead the incautious and unexperienced naturalift. Angelica has large globofe umbels, all the flowers in them are regular and fertile, the petals are inflex, or bent upwards at theend ; the fruit is roundifh, cornered, or furrowed, - and terminated with two reflex ftyles. The cultivated® and wild’ Angelica are allowed on all hands to be diftinét fpecies. They have both pinnate leaves; but the firft has the odd lobe at the end divided generally into three parts; the fecond has all the leaflets equal, lance-fhaped, and fer- rated about the edges. The firft is a much larger plant in all refpeéts, the leaflets broader, rather ovate than lance-fhaped, and the corollas greenifh: the fecond has a thinner and lefs fucculent ftem, fcarcely * Angelica Archangelica Zin. Fl. dan. t. 206. Ger. [TE ME ' Angelica fylveftris Zzz. Mor. hift. f. 9. t. 3. f. 2. Ger. 999. 2. any UMBELLATÆ, 235 any univerfal involucre, and the corollas tinged with red. Coriander * has no proper univerfal invo- Corian- lucre, though there be fometimes one leaf, um asin the Wild Angelica ; the partial one con- fifts of three leaves, and is fhort. The flowers in the middle produce no feed; the petals are bent inwards, and heart-fhaped; the outer ones large. The fruit is fpheri- cal, as you know. The calyx of each little flower is more evident in this than in the other umbellate plants. The divifions of the leaves next the ground are broad; thofe of the upper ones narrow: they and the whole plant are fmooth, and have a ftrong rank fmell, like bugs. Parfnep' has all the flowers fertile and Pañinaca. regular, the petals entire, and bent inwards ; the fruit oblong, flatted and furrounded with amembrane. The leaves are fimply pinnate. The garden Parfnep differs not {pecifically from the wild, which has hairy leaves, whereas thofe of the firft are {mooth ; but {moothnefs is acommon effect of cul- ture. Thecultivated plant is alfo of courfe much larger, and the roots fucculent and efculent : both have yellow corollas. Fenne/™ has likewife all the flowers fer- Ancthum. tile and regular; and the petals entire and * Coriandrum fativum Zin. Blackw. 176. Ger. 1012. ? Paftinaca fativa Lin. Ger. 1025. ~ ™ Anethum Feeniculum Lia, Mill, Dluftr. Moris, f. 9. Ba. f 1. (Gr: 1092, 7 | bent 236 Carum. Apium. LETTER XVII: bent inwards, as in the laft: the fruit is nearly ovate, flatted, and ftreaked, Dy//", which is alfo ofthis genus, has the fruit furrounded with a membrane, and more flatted than that of Fennel. Sweet Fennel is but a variety of the common fort, though the lobes of the leaves are longer, more flender, and not fo denfe as in that; the feeds are longer and much fweeter. Finochia is probably another variety, though a much humbler plant, {welling much in breadth and thicknefs juft above the ground. The leaves of all thefe are very finely cut. Carraway ° has no proper involucre, but a fingle leaf at the origin of the univerfal umbel; the middle flowers fall without feed; the petals are keeled, bent inwards, and notched at the end; the feeds are of an oblong ovate form, and ftreaked. Parfley? and Smallage, or Celeri3, are of the fame genus. They have a fort of invo- lucre, generally of one leaf; all the flowers fertile ; the petals equal, and bent inwards ; the fruit {mall, ovate, and ftreaked. They have both winged leaves, with the leaflets linear on the ftalk in Parfley, wedge-fhaped in Smallage, of which Celeri is only an im- provement from warmer countries. Our wild Smallage however, which is common " Anethum graveolens Lin. Ger, 1033. © Carum Carui Lin. Mor. umb. t. 8. Ger. 1034. P Apium Petrofelinum Lin. PI. 5. f. 1. Ger. 1013. * Apium graveolens Linnai. FI, dan. 790. Moris, t. g. f. 8. Ger. 1014. by UMBELLATÆ. 237 by ditches and brooks, cannot be rendered efculent by culture. Earth-nut or Pig-nut, * whofe roots are Bunium. like a {mall potatoe and eatable, has both involucres, the leffer ones narrow as a hair ; the flowers in aclofe umbel, all fertile ; the corollas regular, with heart-fhaped petals; and the fruit ovate. It grows, not uncom- monly, wild on dry paftures. Ferula*, in the dry ftalk of which Prome- Feruta, theus brought fire from heaven, has both in- volucres; all the flowers fertile, the petals heart-fhaped; the fruit oval, flat, and marked with three ftreaks on each fide. [It is fo lofty and large a plant as to have ac- quired the name of Fennel-giant ; the lower leaves fpread two feet, and are fubdivided into very long, narrow, fimple leaflets ; the ftalk is hollow, jointed, and will grow ten or twelve feet high: when thefe are dry they have a light dry pith, which readily takes fire ; andthe people of Sicily ufe it as tinder. It is a fpecies of Ferula that produces the Aa fetida*. Cow-Par/nep* isa very large plant, though Heracle- not fo gigantic as the laft. It has two um: involucres, but as they are very apt to drop off, you may eafily be deceived in that re- * Bunium Bulbocaftanum Liv. Curtis, Lond. IV. 24. Ger. 1064. 1,2. There is a fmaller and a greater fort. * Ferula communis Lin. Ger. 1056. * Ferula Affa foetida Lin. Kœmpf, ameen. t. 536. “ Heracleum Sphondylium Lin Mor, hift, f. 0. t. 16. f. 1. Ger, 1009, {pect. 238 Scandix. Rhus. LETTER XVII. fpet. The corolla is very irregular, bent in and notched. ‘The fruit isovate, notched, flatted, ftreaked, and with a membrane round the edge. In moft of the fpecies, the middle flowers fall feedlefs ; but in our com- mon one all the flowers are fertile : the leaves are winged, and the lobes pinnatifid. This plant grows common in meadows and paftures. Shepherd’ s-needle or Venus’s-comb* is re- markable for long proceffes or beaks termi- nating the feeds, and giving it the appear- ance of Geranium, when in fruit. It is of thefame genus with Chervil, and is a com- mon wecdamong corn. But of thefe umbel- late plants enough. Of the third order of this fifth clafs we have feveral trees and fhrubs ; asthe Varnifh- trees and Sumach, Wayfaring trees and Lauruftinus, Caflines, Elder, Bladder-nut, &c. The firft are known by their inferior flowers, their five-leaved calyx, their co- rolla of five petals, and their berry with one feed in it. Virginian Sumach* is common among your fhrubs, and known to you by the young branches being covered with a velvet- like down, refembling both in colour and texture a ftag’s horn when firft budding ; the branches are crooked and deformed; the " Scandix Peéten Zin, Curt. Lond. 5. 21. Mor. bff otal. fa. Ger. 1040.1. Pl./73) igs “ Rhus typhinum Liz, Duhamel, leaves PENTANDs 3, 4,164 leaves are winged, with fix or feven pair of lance-fhaped bee fharply ferrated, and nappy beneath. The flowers are produced in clofe tufts at the ends of the branches, and are followed by feeds inclofed in purple, woolly, fucculent covers, which givethem their autumnal hue, when the leaves fade firft to purple and then to feuillemort co- lour. 233 Wayfaring-tree*, Marfb-elder’, and Lau- vibur- cs fog es rufiinus*, are all of one genus ; having fupe- num. rior flowers, a five-leaved calyx, a corolla divided into five fegments, and a berry in- clofing one feed. The firft has heart- fhaped leaves very much veined, ferrated-about the edges, and white cihelctleathi aie fecorid-had bed leaves, with glands upon the petioles ; the flowers round: the outfide of the cyme are barren, with the corollas much larger than the others. The Ge/der Rofe is a remark- able variety of this, with the flowers growing in a ball, and every one of them barren. he third bis the leaves ovate, and entire, with _ the veins underneath villous : this is an ever- green. The fourth order is a very fmall one, Parnafiia, compriling only two genera; of which Par- * Viburnum Lantana Lin. Duhamel, t. 103... Ger. 1490. ¥ Viburnum Opulus Zim. Fl. dan. 661. Duham. t. 16. Ger. 1424. 1. ? Viburnum Tinus Lir. Curt. Magaz. 38. naffia 240 Statice. Linum. LETTER XVII. nafia* is one. This grows wild in wet meadows, and on the borders of marfhes, but not very common. It is eafily known by its calyx divided into five parts ; its corolla of five petals; five heart-fhaped netaries, fur- nifhed with hairs, upon the top of which are little balls; a large ovate germ, without any ftyle; but four ftigmas; and a capfule of one cell and four valves. It has a fingle ftalk, with one heart-fhaped leaf on it, em- bracing the ftalk, and one flower only ; the corolla is white. Of the fifth order, Pentagynia, is Thrift, Flax, &c. Thrift» has the calyx of one leaf, entire, plaited and dry, like chaff; a corolla of five petals; andone feed crowned with the calyx. Thefe are the characters ofthe genys, which has twenty-two {pecies. Common Thrift has a threefold involucre or common calyx, and the flowers growing in a round head, upon the top of a naked ftalk ; the leaves, which form a clofe tuft near the ground, are linear. The corollas are red, of different fhades, from pale flefh colour to bright fcarlet; varieties occafioned by foil and fituation ; for this plant is found both on falt marfhes and mountains. Thrift was much ufed formerly for edging the borders in flower gardens, but it is now almoft en- tirely out of date. Flax has alfo a corolla of five petals; but the calyx is five-leaved, and the capfule 2 Mill. illuftr. Fl. dan. 584. Ger. 840. 1. b Statice Armeria Liz. Ger. 602. * Scariofe opens PENTAND, 3, 4, 5. opens by five valves, having ten cells within, in each of which is one feed. There are no lefs than twenty-two fpecies of Flax: that whofe ufe is fo extenfive* is diftin- guifhed from the reft by thecalyx and cap- fule being pointed, the petals being notched, the leaves lance-fhaped, and alternate upon the ftem, and the ftalk unbranched. On the top of this are four or five flowers, with beautiful blue corollas, very apt to fall off. It is an annual plant, about a foot and half high, in the fields. In the garden it will grow fix inches higher, and branch a little where it ftands detached. Both the ufe and beauty of Flax will in- tereft you; fo I leave you with this impref- fion, and bid you once more adieu. ‘Linum ufitatifimum Zim. Curt. Lond, 5. 22. Mor, hift. f. 5. t. 26. f. 1. Ger. 556. R BETTER 241 HET TER XVI E HE CLASS HEX ANDRIHIA, May the 15th, 1775. E are returned, dear coufin, to the point from which we firft fet out‘; the lihaceous tribe of plants being included in the firft order of the fixth clafs, in the Syftem of Linnæus. Thefe fuperb and beau tiful flowers have gained fo much on the efteem of the curious in Europe, that they have {pared neither trouble in fetching them from the fartheft parts of the Eaft, nor ex- penfe in cultivating them at home. Hence they are fo generally known, that perfons not at all verfed in Botany readily find them to be of the fame family. You certainly are at no lofs to determine their general relation and ana logy, from the hints which were thrown out in the firft letter, and the ex- perience you have fince acquired. It re- mains therefore only to be acquainted with their generic and fpecific characters; to which end I fhall prefent you with fome that may be moft within your reach: were T to fet es ery liliaceous plant before you, th beauty of which merits your attention, I © See Letter I. fhould HEXAND. LILIACEÆ, 243 fhould almoft exhauft the tribe. Two cau- tions you are to obferve: firit, that the whole liliaceous tribe is not confined to the clafs Hexandria', though the far greater part of itis; fecondly, that other plants, few. indeed in number’, are to be found in the fame order. You remember that the Lily had no calyx; you are not however to fuppote that the whole tribe is deftitute of this impor- tant part of the flower. It is a circumftance that occafions a threefold fubdivifion of the order, into fuch as have a calyx; fuch as have a fpathe or fheath, covering the co- rolla whilft a bud, but torn and forfaken by the corolla when it is expanded; and laftly, fuch as have the corolla quite naked. You would not perhaps have fufpeéted at Brom:lia. firft fight that the Azanas or Pine- Apple ss, of ie tribe. It is almoft the only genus capable of mifleading you. ‘The flower has a trifid, fuperior calyx, a corolla of three petals, a fcale faftened to the bafe of each petal; the fruit is a fort of berry. The {pecies “is diftinguifhed by its long, nar- row, pointed ened! like thofe of Aloes, ferrated on the edges, and fet with tender See Letter XIV. £ Eighteen genera out of 65. The whole cjafs has eighty-one genera and four tt ed and feventy-taree {pecies. h Bromelia Ananas Linnz?. Comm. hort. 1. t. 57. Trew Ehret. €. 2. R 2 {pines ; 244 Tradef- cantia. Galan- thus. LETTER XVIII. {pines ; and by the fruit being terminated with a bufh of leaves, commonly: called the crown, which being planted takes root, and produces another fruit. ‘There are dif- ferences in the fruit, proper to be remarked by thofe who cultivate this luxury; but they are no more than varieties of the fame fpecies, and therefore do not concern us as botanitts. Tradefcantia, or Virginian Spiderwort', is another of the liliaceous tribe furnifhed with a calyx, which in this is three-leaved; the corolla alfo has three petals, and the cap- fule has three cells. It is remarkable for having the filaments fringed with pur- ple jointed hairs. The fpecies common in gardens is. diftinguifhed from feven others, by its fmooth, erect ftalk, and by the flowers growing in clufters at the top of it. Thetfe are of a fine purple, and blow in fucceffion moît part of the fummer, though each flower continues open but a day. From the number of parts in the fructification, and its enfiform leaves, this plant will range in the fame natural order with Jrzs and its congeners *. Of thofe which have a /pathe or /heath inftead of a calyx, there is the modeit, the humble, the early Szow-drop'; that comes * Tradefcantia Virginica Lin. Mor. hifi. f. 15. t. 2. f. 4. Curt. Mag. 105. Pl. 14. f. 3. * Called Erfatæ by Linnæus. See Letter XIV. * Galanthus nivalis Lin. Jacq. auftr. 4. 313. Ger. 147. Park. parad. 107. one HEXAND. LILIACEÆ. 245 one of the firft of the year to falute us, and, no lefs white than the {now itfelf, is fre- quently covered by it. This is diftinguifhed by its fuperior corolla of fix petals, of which the three inner ones are fhorter by half than the others, and notched at the end. Thefe are fuppofed to be the neétary. More : needs not to be faid of a flower fo univer- fally known. Narciffus is another of this divifion. Narcifus. There are many fpecies, all united by thefe characters: a fuperior corolla of fix equal petals, and a funnel-fhaped nectary, of one piece, within which are the ftamens. The moift known fpecies are the common white Narciffus™, the Daffodil *, the Polyanthus Narciffus°, and the Fonguil’. The firft and fecond, in a natural ftate, have only one flower burfting from the fame fheath ; the third and fourth have feveral: the firft has the neétary or cup in the middle of the flower, wheel-fhaped, very fhort, chaffy, and a little notched at the edge: the 1e- cond has a large, erect, curled, bell-fhaped cup 4, fometimes as long as the ovate petals of ™ Nareiflus poeticus Lin, Ger. 124. 7. Park. parad: 7 * Narciflus Pfeudonarciflus Lin. Ger. 133. 2. ° Narciflus Tazetta Lin, Pl. 14. f. 2. of this work. P Narciflus Jonquilla Lin. Curtis, Bot. Mag. 15. 4 Milton has made poetical ufe of this cup :-——— “ And Daffodillies fill their cups with tears ** To ftrew the laureate hearfe where Lycid lies.” R 3 | Shakefpeare Amaryl- lis. LE DTEÆER XVI of the corolla: the third has a beil-fhaped, plaited cup, truncate at the end, and one third of the length of the petals; this has flat leaves, whereas the fourth has them fubulate, long, and narrow like a rufh; this alfo has a fhort bell-fhaped cup. The efteem in which thefe flowers have been always held, is the occafion that a great number of beautiful varieties have been produced from the plain fimple parents. The Dutch catalogues have no lefs os thirty varieties of Polyanthus Narciffu and in the other three the cup is help changed into petals by culture. The pe- tals of the firft are white, and the cup yel- low: the petals of the fecond are naturally pale brimftone, and the cup yellow: the petals of the third are either white or vel- low, with orange-coloured cups : and the fourth is all yellow. There is no genus of plants in the whole round of vegetable nature more fuperb in its flowers than the beautiful Amarylhs: known by its fuperior, bell-fhaped corolla of fix petals; its ftamens of unequal length ; and its trifid ftigma. Befides feveral other {pecies, either lefs obvious, or lefs beauti- tiful *, you will find here the ‘acobea Shakfpeare informs us of the early appearance of this flou er :—— ——** The Daffodil 6€ That comes before the {wallow dares, and takes « The winds of March.” "A. vittata. Curt. Magaz. 129.—A. crifpa, figured by John Miller in his 8th Plate. Lily, LILIACEZÆ, Lily*, which produces but one, or at moit two, of its large, deep-red flowers, from the fame fheath; the three under petals are larger than the others, and with the ftamens and piftil are bent downwards: the whole flower ftands nodding on one fide of the ftalk, and makes a moft beauti- ful appearance, efpecially in the fun, when it appears to be powdered with gold duff. The Mexican Lily‘ has feveral flowers, generally from two to four, burfting from the fame fpathe; the corolla 1s bell-fhaped and regular, the three outer petals are re- verfed or reflex at the tip, the three inner ones are ciliate at the bafe; the {ftamens and piftil are bent downwards. . The flowers are large, of a bright. copper; colour, in- clining to red; and the ftyle is red, which is unufual: the bafe of the corolla is of a whitifh green. | | The Guernfey Lily * has alfo many flow- ers in the fame fheath, the corollas revo- jute, or rolled back, and the ftamen and piftil upright.. The corollas are of the richeft red: colour, powdered with gold. This fine flower is fuppofed to have come originally from Japan; and to have been * Amaryllis formofiffima Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 23. Curt. Magaz. 47. * Amaryllis Reginæ Ziz. Mill. pl. 224 J. Mill. iluftr. “ Amaryilis farnienfis Liz. Douglas monogr. Ehret. 4, 9. f, 3. R 4 left to NI Tulipa. Conval- laria. LETTER XVIII. left by a wrecked veflel on the coaft of the ifland of Guernfey ; where, being protected among the fand by the fea reed, it fprung up to the great furprife of the inhabitants. The Tulip and fome others which I fhall now prefent to you, agree with the Lily in having naked, unprotected corollas *. The Tulip”, unbounded in the variety of co- lour, in the cultivated ftate of its gaudy flowers, has an inferior bell-fhaped corolla of fix petals, and no ftyle, but only a tri- angular ftigma, fitting clofe to a long, prif- matic germ. The fpecies is diftinguifhed by its fhort lance-fhaped leaves, and its upright flowers, from the Italian Tulip*, whote flowers nod a little, have longer and narrower lance-fhaped leaves, yellow co- rollas never varying in colour, ending in acute points, and having a fweet fcent. The common colour of the Eaftern Tulip, in a ftate of nature, is red. ‘This, when broken into ftripes by culture, has obtained the imaginary value of a hundred ducats for a fingle root, among the Dutch florifts. How different is the {weet, the elegantly- Y Linnæus has fplit the liliaceous tribe, in his natural orders, into the Enfatæ before mentioned ; the Spathacee juft gone through; and the Coronariz into which we now enter. Some alfo of his Sarmentacee belong to this tribe. “ Tulipa Gefneriana Lin. Ger. 138. 3. 4. & 139— 146. * Tulipa fylveftris Lin. FI. dan. 375. Ger. 138. 3, 2. 6 modeft LILIACE &. modeft Lily of the valley *, from the flaunt- ing beauty of the Tulip! The pure, bell- fhaped corolla, is divided at top into fix fegments, which are bent back a little: aid the feed-veffel is not a capfule, as in moft of this clafs, but a berry, divided. however into three cells, in each of which is lodged one feed: this berry, before it ripens, is fpotted. I doubt not but that you have often fearched for it in vain, be- caufe this plant {eldom produces its fruit : the reafon is, that it runs very much at the root, and increafes fo much that way as almoft entirely to forget the other. I have feen large tracts covered with it, in the re- mote recefles of woods, without a fingle berry; and the way to obtain them is to imprifon the plant within the narrow cir- cuit of a pot, when, by preventing it from running at the root, it will take to increaf- ing by ‘the red berry. ‘This fpecies is dit- tinguifhed from Solomon’ s-feal, and others of the genus, by the flowers growing ona {cape or naked ftalk ; at has only two leaves, which take their rife immediately from the root. 249 The Hyacinth is one of the moft favoured Hyacin- plants of the florifts. In the natural ftate, ‘hes- wherein you feldom fee it, the corolla is fingle, and cut into fix fegments ; and there 7 Convallaria majalis Oe in Curt;) Lond.*§3 945° PI. dan. 854. Ger. 410. This is one of the Sarmentacee in the natural orders. are 250 Aloe, Agave. LETTER) (XVIII. are three pores or glands, at the top of the germ, exuding honey. The fpecies from whence all the fine varieties take their rife*, has the corollas funnel-fhaped, di- vided half way into fix fegments, and fwelling out at bottom. This muft not be confounded with the Wild Hyacinth or Blue- beils of the European woods*, which has longer, narrower flowers, not {welling at bottom, but rolled back at their tips; the bunch of flowers is alfo longer, and the top of it bends downwards. ‘This is fre- quently found with white corollas. Aloe is a remarkable, beautiful, and nu- merous genus, diftinguifhed by its erect co- rollas, with a {preading mouth, divided into fix fegments, and exuding a neétareous juice at bottom: the filaments are inferted into the receptacle. Linnæus reduces them to ten fpecies, but there are many’ very diftinét varieties, if not fpecies, under each. They have all thick fucculent leaves, and the fpecies may be feparated either by the forms of thefe, or by the forms and manner of growth of the flowers. If you fhould hear of the Great American Aloe” flowering any where in your neigh- * Hyacinthus orientalis Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 148. Ger. TI2—115. * Hyacinthus non fcriptus Zin, Curtis, Lond. II. 18. Ger. 114. * Agave Americana Lin, bourhood, LILIACE Æ. bourhood, you will find that it differs from the Aloes properly fo called, by the corolla being fuperior, or fitting on the top of the germ, and the filaments being longer than the corolla. In the firft aveunmance this differs from almoft all the liliaceous tribe, which have the germ inclofed within the coroila. I fhould advertife you, that you muft mount a ladder or {caffold to examine the flowers, for they grow on a ftem that is fometimes twenty feet in height. You know it is a vulgar error that this plant flowers once only in a hundred years; the truth is, that in its own country it flowers in a few years from its birth; but in our cold inhofpitable climes, it takes many years to produce its vait {tem and numerous flowers, but the term of its life with us is uncertain; after having flowered, it produces a number of off-fets, and dies. This is not the cafe in the Aloes properly fo called, and in them the flowering ftem is produced from the fide of the heart or central leaves, whereas in this it iffues from the very centre, where you obferve that the leaves lie very clofe over each other before they expand. Of plants not liliaceous, belonging to this » “rft order of the fixth clais, theres is one - fhrub, the Barberry °; and feveral plants de- ficient in the corolla, as the Calamus Aro- © Berberis vulgaris, Mill, fig. pl. 63. Ger. 1325. 5 maticus 252 Oryza. Rumex. L'PFENTSER L'EVIITS: maticus or Sweet Rufh*, the Rattan‘, and all the fpecies of Ru/h'. The Rice® is almoft the only plant to be found inthe fecond order of this clafs. It has the exact form and ftruéture of the Grafles, differing from them only in the number of {tamens. In the third order is the Dock, a nume- rous and prolific genus, containing thirty- one fpecies. It is known by the calyx of three leaves, the corolla of three converg- ing petals, and one triangular feed. Thefe plants will not attract you by their beauty. Their flowers are more numerous than con- fiderable. Bloody Dock* has the valves of the flowers quite entire, one of them bearing a feed, and the leaves are lance-fhaped and hollowed next the petiole. Curled Dock! has the valves entire and graniferous; the leaves lance-fhaped, waving about the edges, and fharp-pointed at the end. Fid- dle-Dock* has the valves notched about the edges, one of them ufually graniferous, and the leaves next the ground” fhaped like the 4 Acorus Calamus Lis. Blackw. 466. Mor. hift. {..3: 6 re" PR At Ger. 02. © Calamus Rotang Lin. Rheed. malab. 12. t. 64, 65. f Juncus Lin. See Letter XIII. at the end. ® Oryza fativa Lin. Catefb. carol. 1. 14. Mill. iluftr. » Rumex fanguineus Lin. Blackw. 492. Ger. 390. i Rumex crifpus Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 20. _# Rumex pulcher Lin. Mor, hift. f. 5. t. 27. £ 13. body HEXAND, TRIGYN. body of a violin. The great Water Dock’ has the valves entire and graniferous; the leaves lance-fhaped and fharp-pointed: the common Blunt Dock" has the valves notched and graniferous; the leaves oblong, hollowed at the bafe, near which they are notched, and obtufe at the end. Common Sharp Dock” has the valves oblong, entire, very {mall, the outer one graniferous; the leaves oblong and hollowed at the bafe, but drawn out into a long point. ‘Two com- mon fpecies differ in one remarkable cir- cumftance from all the reft; for they have the ftaminiferous and piftilliferous flowers on feparate plants, and therefore ftrictly belong to the twenty-fecond clafs; but they are evidently, as you will confefs upon examination, of the fame natural ge- nus with the Docks. Thefe are the Com- mon? and Sheep’s Sorrel’, the firft growing in meadows and paftures, the fecond on dry fandy grounds; the firft with oblong, ar- row-head leaves; the fecond with leaves fhaped like the head of a halberd. Thus you have the means of diftinguifhing eight {pecies of Dock. 1 Rumex Hydrolapathum Hud/. Pet. 2, 1. ™ Rumex obtufus Zin. Curtis, Lond. III. 22. Ger. 388. 3. " Rumex acutus Lin. Pet. 2. 3. Mor. 5. 27. 3. ° Rumex Acetofa Lin. Mor. hift. f. 5. t. 28. f. 1. Ger. 396. 1. Blackw. 230. P Rumex Acetofella Lin. Moris, t. 28. f. 11, 12. Ger. 397. 3. Blackw. 307. Curt. Lond. 5. 29. Meadow- 293 254 Colchi- ca, Alifma. LETTER XVIII. Meadow-Saffron 4 is alfo of this order, and clearly of the liliaceous tribe; its re- femblance to Crocus or Saffron is obvious. Like that it has a /pathe for a calyx; a co-, rolla divided into fix parts, with the tube extending down to the bulb; and a trilo- bate capiule, of three valves and three cells. So that were it not that the one has three ftamens with one ftyle, and the other fix ftamens with three “ftyles, they would be of the fame genus. Meadow-Saffron has flat, lance-fhaped, erect leaves, and flow- Conf hght purple; the firit coming out in the {pring 1g, the latter in the autumn. Of the laft order of this fixth clafs are the Water Plantains, eafily known by the calyx of three leaves, the corolla of three petals, fucceeded by feveral compreffed cap- iules, each containing one feed. Great Wa- ter Plantaima* is common enough in wet places, and on the banks of rivers and brooks: it is diftinguifhed from its fellows by its ovate fharp-pointed leaves, and its obtufely triangular fruits. This is one of the plants in which you cannot err; if the differences of all were as ftrongly marked, your trouble would be diédinifhe ed, but hes your genius and fagacity, dear RAR would Let hare toinuch rio se Tr 4 Colchicum autumnale Zin. Ger. 157. Blackw. 566. * Alifma Plantago Zin. Curt. Lond. 5. 27. Fl. dan. 561. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 417. 1.—A. Damafonium. Curt. ‘Lond. ‘5. 28. Ger. 417. 2. LEPPER (2 255% +) ELEAT TD ER.) ~ XIK. THE CLASSES HEPTANDRIA, OCTANDRIA, ENNEANDRIA, AND DECANDRIA. June the rft, 1775. ATURE feems to have no delight in zut. the number feven; the feventh be- ing the fmalleft of all the claffas: containing no more than feven genera, andten fpecies, Of thefe I fhall feleét only one for your ob- fervation, which fhall be the Her/e-Chef/nut*. It is of the firft order, and thefe are the prin- cipal characters of the genus—a {mall calyx, of one leaf, flightly divided at top into five feements, and {welling at the bafe ; a corolla of five petals, inferted into the calyx, and unequally coloured, a capfule of three cells, in one or two of which only isa feed. Lin- næus fays that thous gh no more than one feed generally comes to perfeétion, yet there are two in the young capfule. But furely the third cell is not made for nothing; and therefore I fhould fufpeét that in Afia, the native clime of this fine tree, the capfule contains three nuts. The form of the Hor/e- Che/nut 1s grand, the pyramids of flowers beautiful, and making, with the large digi- tate leaves, a fine whole. *-7Efculus Hippocaftanum Zia. Mill. illuftr. Hunt. Evel-filva, p. 359. ; THE Fropzo- lum. Oenothe- aa LETTER XIX. THE CLASS OCTANDRIA. The eighth clafs has forty-four genera, and two hundred and feventy-three {pecies, Indian Nafturtium or Indian Cre/s* 1s one of thefe; the calyx is inferior, of one leaf cut into five fegments, and terminated by a fpur; the corolla has five unequal petals, and 1s fucceeded by three dry berries, in each of which is one feed. ‘The greater {pecies” is moft common in the gardens, and is known by the leaves being divided at the edge into five lobes, and being peltate, or having the petiole faftened to the middle of the leaf’s furface: the petals are blunt at the end in this; whereas in the fmaller fort’ the pe- tals are fharp-pointed. The corollas of both are large, and of a fine orange colour. Tree Primrofe, a Virginian plant, now fo common in the European gardens, has a ca- lyx of one leaf, cut into four fegments, a corolla of four petals, anda cylindric capfule of four cells, containing naked feeds. The broad-leaved fort”, which is moft common, has flat, lance-fhaped leaves, and a hairy ftalk: the corolla is ofa fine yellow, fhut ufually during the day, but expanding in the * Tropeolum Lin. * Tropæolum majus Lin. Curtis Magaz. 23. * Tropæolum minus Lin. Curtis Mag. 98. eee biennis Lin. Fl, dan. 446. Mill. uftr. evening ; OCTANDRIA. 257 evening ; whence fome call it Nightly Prim- rofe. Our European /Villow-herbs are nearly Epito- allied to this, differing only in having a calyx of four leaves, and downy feeds. There is one fort common in old gardens called French Willow*, with narrow lance-fhaped leavesinclining to linear, irregularly fet upon the ftalk ; irregular flowers, and ftamens bent down, The hairy fort ¥ growing com- mon in wet places, by ditches, hedges, and ftreams, and vulgarly known by the names of Codlins andCream, or Goofeberry Fool, from the fmell of the leaves when flightly bruifed, has lance-fhaped leaves, ferrate about the ‘edges, running down the ftalk, the lower ones oppofite: the ftamens of this and of all our common fpecies are upright, and the petals bifid. Four of the flamentsare fhort, and the other four rife to the top of the tube of the corolla, each four forming a regular {quare. I do not know whether it is gene- rally fo, but this year I could fcarcely find any but what had been gnawn by infects; fo that if I had not known the plant well, I fhould have been puzzled to determine even the clafs, ‘The flowers are large, {pecious, and of a purple colour. The heath genus contains no lefs than fe- Erica. _ *Epilobium anguftifolium Liz, Curtis, Lond. II. 24. Ger. 477. 7. 1 * Epilobium hirfutum Zin, ramofum Hud/. Curtis, Lond. IL. 21. Ger. 476. 6. S fenty- 58 Lf ToT E.R ;XIX. venty-four {pecies of lowly fhrubs, which are by no means deftitute of beauty, though the commonnefs of one fpecies renders it. con- temptible*. They all agree in thefe charac- ters—a calyx of four leaves, inclofing the germ, a corolla of one petal, cut into four fegments; the filaments inferted into the re- ceptacle; the anthers bifid; and a capfule of four cells. Common Heath*, which is fo generala plant, that vaft tra¢éts of land take their name from it, is diftinguifhed by the anthers being terminated with va an awn, and lying within the flower, tne ftyle appearing behind it, the corollas bell-fhaped, and not quite re- gular, the calyxes double, the leaves op- -pofite and fhaped like the head of an arrow. Fine-leaved Heath” has crefted anthers ly- ing within the corolla; the ftyle hardly iflues from it; the ftigma is capitate; the flowers grow many clofe together ; the co- rollas are ovate and of a bluifh colour; the leaves are produced in threes; and the bark is afh-coloured. Crofs-leaved Heath° has the anthers as in the firft; the ftyle lies within the corolla; the flowers grow ina head; the corollas are ovate; and the leaves Fen the wild heath difplays its purple dies. 4 Erica vulgaris Lin. Curtis, Lond. V. 30, FI. dan. 677. Ger. 1380. 1. > Erica cinerea Lin. Curtis, Lond. Il. 25. Ger. 1382. 7. © Erica Tetralix Zin. Curtis, Lond. I. 21. Fi. dan, 81. are OCTANDRIA. 25g are produced in: fours: this grows in the wet and boggy parts of heaths, and is a handfome fpecies. The foreign forts, moftly from the Cape of Good Hope, are eminently beautiful, but not being commonly met avith, I fhall not trouble you with them. Mezereon, which you value for vifiting Daphae. you at a time when you have very few vifitors, and alfo for its pleafant odour, is of this clafs, and of the firft order, as well as all the foregoing. It has no calyx, but a monopetalous, funnel-fhaped corolla, in- clofing the ftamens, and the border cut into four fegments: the fruit is a roundifh berry containing one feed. This fpecies “ is diftinguifhed from the reft of the Daphie genus by its feflile flowers, growing by threes from the fame joint; and by its lance- fhaped deciduous leaves. ‘The corollas are peach-coloured, deeper red, or white, and the berries of the two firft are red, of the laft yellow. There is a fort* not uncommonly wild in woods, and fhady hedges, which is an evergreen, and has the flowers coming out by fives, from the axils; the corollas are of a yellowifh green, and the leaves are lance- fhaped. ‘This is rather a difmal plant in refpect of its fituation, time of flowering, “Daphne Mezereum Lin. FI. dan. t. 268. Ger. 1402. 2. © Daphne Laureo'a Lin. Spurge Laurel. Ger. 1404. Blackw. 62. S 2 and 260 Chlora. Polygo- num. LETTER XIX. and colour of the corollas; nor has it the fame agreeable fcent with the Mezereon: it is not however without its value as an evergreen, and flourifhing under the deep fhade of trees. Both fpecies are very hot and cauftic in their nature; notwithftand- ing which birds are greedy of the berries. Yellow perfoliate Gentian‘ is now re- moved from the other Gentians, to the fe- cond order of this clafs, becaufe the num- ber eight prevails in the ftamens, calyx, and corolla: in other circumftances it agrees with the genus in which it formerly ranged. It is found in paftures, on a chalky foil, and is eafily known by its yellow corollas, and upright fmooth perfoliate ftalks. The third order has a large genus con- taining twenty-feven fpecies, among which, befides other common plants, are Bort, Knot-gra/s, Buck-wheat, and Black Bind- weed. Biflort © has a fingle, undivided ftalk, terminated by one fpike of flowers; and lance-fhaped leaves, generally hollowed at the bafe, running along the petiole, or forming a membrane along each fide of it, and waved. ‘The root is large for the fize of the plant, and turns and twifts in the ground. f Chlora perfoliata Zin. Ger. 547. 2. = Polygonum Biftorta Lin. Curtis, Lond. I. 22. and Mill. fig. pl. 66. Ger. 399. 1. Knot- OCTANDRIA. Knot-grafs * is a very common weed in places that are trod. The little flowers are produced from the axils of the ftalks, which are herbaceous, and trail upon the ground; the leaves are lance-fhaped, and, being of different fize and breadth in different foils, have given occafion to the forming diftinc- tions, which are but varieties. Buck-wheat', which makes a pretty ap- pearance when cultivated, has arrow-fhaped leaves hollowed at the bafe, the ftalk up- right, though weak, fmooth and unarmed, and the angles of the feeds equal, Black Bindweed* is not very unlike this; but the leaves are heart-fhaped, the ftalk angular and twining, and the flowers ob- tule. The anthers alfo are purple; and the bafe of the petioles is perforated beneath with a pore. This is not an unfrequent weed among corn. All the fpecies agree in having no calyx; a corolla divided into five fegments, that might eafily be taken for a calyx ; and one o naked, angular feed. THE CLASS ENNEANDRIA. The ninth clafs has not fo many genera as the feventh, but it has many more fpe- À Polygonum aviculare Liz. Curtis, 1.27. Ger. : 565. * Polygonum Fagopyrum Lin. Ger. 80. * Polygonum Convolvulus Zin. Curtis, Lond. AN: 29. +4 cies, 261 bo ON bo Laurus. Anacar- dium. _L Ea (ip Be perks ies ', and among them feveral very remark- able ones; as the Bay, Cinnamon, Catiia, Camphor, Benzoin and Safiafras, all com- prehended under one genus” ; Acajou or Cafhew Nut, and Rhubarb. The Bay ge- nus has the following charaéter: no calyx, but a corolla refembling a calyx, and di- vided into fix parts in moft of the fpecies ; a neCtary of three glands, each terminated by two briftles, furrounding the germ; the filaments in three rows, with two round glands near the bafe of the three that form the inner row; the fruit an oval drupe or plum, inclofing a nut. The true Bay” is known by its lance- fhaped, veiny evergreen leaves ; the corolla recedes from the general Ra in being quadrifid, or cut into four fegments. It va- ries alfo in the number of ftamens from eight to fourteen ; and it recedes from the clais in having incomplete flowers on feparate plants. Linnaeus however has kept it here becaufe it has the effential characters of this genus, particularly the glands on the inner filaments. You will fcarcely have the good fortune to meet with the other fpecies, at leaft in flower. _ Acajou or Cafbew°® we know chiefly by ' Twenty-eight : and only fix genera. m Laur " Taurus nobilis. Laurel is known only to modern times, and ranges in the clafs Icofandyi ia under Prunus. Alexandrian Laurchisia Radeus.in.Clats X XIE ° Anacardium occidentale Li. the ENNEANDRIA. the nut, which grows at the end of a flefhy body as large as an orange, and full of an acid juice ; this Linnæus calls the receptacle. Between the two fhells is a thick, black inflammable oil, with which you may mark your linen, for it will not wafh out. It alfo makes the fineft black varnifh. I need not caution you againft putting this nut into your mouth to crack it. The oil is very cauftic, and will raife blifters in the tongue. If it fhould ever be your fortune to fee this tree in flower, you will obferve that the calyx is five-leaved; that the corolla confifts of five reflex petals; and that there are ten filaments, whence Linnæus firft put it into the tenth clafs; but one of thefe being con- {tantly without an anther, he afterwards re- moved it tothe ninth. More recent obfer- vations however have afcertained that the Anacardium has perfect and ftaminiferous flowers on diftinét individuals: it belongs therefore to the fecond order of the twenty- third clafs, Polygamia Diecta. 263 Thefe are of the firft order, RAubard is Rheum: of the fecond, Trigynta; there being no plants known of this clafs with two piftils. The characters of this genus are, a flower without a calyx; a corolla of one petal, di- vided into fix fegments; and one large triangular feed, much like that of the Docks’. No lefs than four fpecies have Ê They are both placed in the fame natural order, namely the fifth divifion of the Oleracce, S 4 been 264 LET TER © X{X: been fent over and cultivated at different times under a notion of their being the true Tartarian Rhubarb. Of thefe the Rhapon- tick’ has migrated from the apothecary’s fhop into the kitchen, the petioles of the leaves being much efteemed for making tarts. The leaves are fmooth, ofa roundifh heart-fhape, with the petioles thick, reddifh, a little channelled on their lower part, but flat at the top: the flower ftems are red, © grow from two to three feet high, and are terminated by thick, clofe, obtufe {pikes of white flowers, coming out in June. This grows wild near the Pontic, Euxine or Black Sea. There is a good teftimony for the three others being the true Rhubarb; and J think it not improbable but that they may all be cultivated in Tartary for their roots. One of thefe” has longer leaves than the Rhapon- tic, running more to a point, much waved on their edges, a little hairy on their upper fide, and they appear much: earlier; the petioles are not fo much channelled on their under fide, and are plain on the upper; they are alfo neither fo red nor fo thick: the flower ftem is of a pale brownifh co- lour, about four feet high, dividing into feveral loofe panicles of white flowers, which appear in May. Another * has very fmooth, fhining, + Rheum Rhaponticum Lin. * Rheum Rhabarbarum Zin. * Rheum compactum Lin, Mill. fig. pl. 218. 6 - heart- ENNEANDRIA. heart-fhaped leaves, not running out fo much to a point as the fecond, bat more than the firft; they are very broad towards the bafe, ee a little waved and indented on their edges: the petioles have fcarcely any channels, and are flat on their upper fide; they are pale green, and almoft as large as thofe of the firft fort. The flower- {tem is pale green, five or fix feet high, the upper part dividing into {mall branches, each fuftaining a panicle of white flowers ftanding erect, “and appearing the latter end of May. A fourth fort, called Palmated Rhubarb‘, differs greatly from the others, and is known immediately by its palmated and very fharp- pointed leaves. The flower-ftem is red, and fix or feven feet high: the flowers are in loofe panicles. Whatfoever may be the cafe with the other fpecies, there is the moit undoubted evidence of this being the true T'artarian Rhubarb. There is one wild plant of this clafs, which is of the third order, having fix ftyles. It grows in the water, and having handfome files coloured flowers, with long narrow leaves, is called Flowering Rufh*; ve the flowers are produced at the end of a * Rheum palmatum Lin. Mill. illuftr. Philof. Tranf. 1765. * Butomus umbellatus Lin. Curtis, Lond. I. 29. Fl. dan. 604. Mill, illuftr. Mor, f. 12. t. 5. fi sok Ger. 29. naked 265 Butomus. 266 DiGam- nus. LETTER XIX. naked ftalk, in an umbel. They have no calyx, but a three-leaved involucre, a co- rolla of fix petals, and fix capfules of one valve, gaping on the fide towards the centre of the umbel, and containing many feeds. THE CLASS DECANDRIA. The tenth is a much more confiderable clafs, having ninety-five genera, and five hundred and thirty-fix fpecies. The firft order being very numerous, Linnæus has made a commodious fubdivifion of it into fuch as have corollas of many petals, of one petal, or none; and the firft of them he has fubdivided again into fuch as have irregular and fuch as have equal corollas. Moit of thofe with irregular polypetalous flowers are very nearly allied to the papi- lionaceous, tribe, with which you are al- ready acquainted. Of thefe the moft known are the Fudas-tree, Locuft-tree, Flower- fence, Brafiletto, all the numerous fpecies of Caffia, Balfam of Tolu-tree, and Nickar- tree; moftly the produce of South America and the Weft Indies. White Ditiany or Fraxinella* is alfo of this fubdivifion, but not of the papilionaceous tribe. This elegant flower is known by its five- leaved calyx; its corolla of five ipreading petals; the filaments fet with glandulous * Diétamnus albus Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 123. & PI. 16. f, 2. of this work. points : DECANDRIA. points: it is fucceeded by five connected capfules, containing two feeds covered with a common ari/. There is only one fpecies of Fraxsnella, varying in the colour of the flowers, which are either pale red ftriped with purple, or elfe white. It has pinnate leaves, fome- what refembling thofe of the Afh. The whole plant emits an odour of lemon peel, but when bruifed has a balfamic fcent. Among the plants with regular or equal polypetalous corollas, you will find Logwood, Meliasor the Bead-tree; Guatacum, Rue, and Dionæa Mufcipula, fo curious for that fenfitive quality of the leaves, by which it entraps infects that light upon them. Rue is diftinguifhed by thefe ‘generic Ruta. characters—a calyx divided into five parts ; concave petals; ten honied pores at the bafe of the germ, which is raifed on a re- ceptacle punched with the fame number of pores ; and laftly, a capfule cut half way into five parts, confifting of five cells with- in, and containing many feeds. If I do not give youa Burien refpecting the common Rie “of the gardens, you may probably be puzzled in examining its flowers; for there is only one flower on a branch which will anfwer to the generic charactere; in all the reft you are to fubtract one fifth from every part of the fructification. ‘This cir- * Ruta graveolens Lin. Mor. hift. f..5.t.14. f. 3, cumftance LETTER XIX. cumftance is not peculiar to Rue, but is found in feveral other plants *, and has been made an objection by fome to the Lin- næan fyftem. The illuftrious author has extricated himfelf from the difficulty by forming his character upon the principal or primary flower, as he calls it, and an- nouncing the anomaly. There are other plants, which in all the reft, add a fifth to the number of parts in the primary flower 7. Garden Rue is fpecifically diftinguifhed, partly by this circumftance, of having the fide flowers quadrifid, and partly by the leaves being decompounded. ‘There are fome differences in this fpecies: common garden Rue has the component lobes of the leaves wedge-fhaped, and the ftamens longer than the corolla; another, alfo frequently cultivated, has narrower lobes, the flowers in longer, loofer bunches, and the ftamens equal in length with the petals, the feed- veflel is alfo {maller ; a third has the lobes of a linear fhape. Andromedas, Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Ar- butus, and a few others, have regular mo- nopetalous corollas. The characters of the lait are a very {mall calyx divided into five * As in Cinchona, Myrfine, Euonymus europzus, Thefium alpinum, Herniaria fruticofa, Gentiane 23— 2%. Linum Radiola, &c. ¥ Such as Adoxa Mofcha tellina. Curtis, Lond. IT. 26. and fome others. parts : DECANDRI A; 269 parts: an ovate corolla pellucid at the bafe: and the fruit a berry, with the feeds lodged in five cells. Strawberry-tree = is known by its woody a:butus. ftem, its {mooth leaves ferrate about the edges, and the cells of the berries having feveral feeds. Some of the other {pecies have weak procumbent ftems*; and fome have only a fimple feed to each cell. You are well acquainted with the Arbutus, by - the ornament which it affords to your plan- tations in the latter months, with its lucid leaves thick covering the plant; and its bunches of flowers of this year, accompa- nied by the red round berries of the laft. But let not the firft order of the tenth saxi- clafs occupy too much of your time, fince fraga. there are four other orders contained in it. In the fecond you have all the Saxifrages, forty-two in number ; agreeing in a calyx divided into five parts; a crois of five pe- tals ; a capfule of one cell, filled with many fmall feeds, and terminated by two beaks formed of the permanent ftyles. Of thefe, Pyranidal Saxifrage* is efteemed for adorn- ing halls and chimnies with its beautiful pyramids of white flowers; which it will do for a long time. ‘There are feveral va- z Arbutus Lido Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 48. Ger. 1496. * Arb. acadienfis, alpina & uva urfi. > A. alpina & uva urfi. © Saxifraga Cotyledon Lin. Mill. fig. 243. F1. dan. 241. rieties LETTER, XIX. rieties of it, but they have all ff tongue- fhaped leaves, with a cartilaginous ferrate border, and colleéted into feveral rows clofe tothe ground. From the midft of thete itfues the ftalk, fuftaining the panicles of flowers. Another {fpecies* was alfo formerly much fhown out at windows and balconies in imoky towns, and hence, with its being really beautiful, had the names of London Pride and None-fo-pretty, at a time when few plants were generally known. This has oblong or roundith leaves, deeply notched -on the edges, fpringing from broad, flat, furrowed petioles, near two inches long. They furround the flowering ftalk, which itfelf is deftitute of leaves, of a red colour, ftitf, flender, and hairy. ‘The corollas are white dotted with red. Common White Saxifrage* flowers early and in great quantities among the grafs. The bottom leaves are kidney-fhaped, hairy, and on pretty long petioles: the {talks are hairy, and in good ground a foot high, branching out from the bottom, and furnifhed with a few fmall leaves, in fhape like the others, but fitting clofe to the ftem: the flowers terminate the ftalk in {mall clufters ; the corollas are white, and large for the fize of the plant: if any doubt remains concerning it, pull it up, and you 3 Saxifraga umbrofa Lin. Mill. fig. 141. f. 2. © Saxifraga granulata Liz. Mill. illuftr. Curtis, Lond. I. 30. Ger. 841. 1. will DECANDRIA: 271 will find that the roots are like grains of corn, and of a reddifh colour. In poor ground this plant is very fmall, and has only two or three flowers, fometimes but one, on a fimple, unbranched. ftem. Thefe, with moft of the other fpecies, have upright ftems, but there are three which have weak trailing ftalks. Of thefe there is one which has much refemblance to a mofs, when it is out of flower; and, from the manner of its growth in a thick tuft, it has acquired the Englifh name of Ladies’ Cufbion®. The leaves are linear, fome entire and others trifid: the little flower {tems are three or four inches high, flender, erect, and almoft naked, termi- nated by {mall flowers of a dirty white. The genus Dianthus, of this fecond or- Dianthus. der, is numerous, as well as the laft, com- prifing twenty-two {pecies, which agree in having a cylindric calyx of one leaf, fur- rounded at the bafe by four feales; a co- rolla of five petals; and a cylindric, unilo- cular capfule, for a feed-veflel. Many of the fpecies are beautiful, as Sweet Williams, the noble Carnation*, the Pink', with all its numerous varieties, the China Pink* f Saxifraga hypnoides Lin, FI. dan. 348. Mor. hift. Paoli 236. S Dianthus barbatus Lin. * Dianthus Caryophyllus Lin. Mill. fig. 124. 1 Dianthus plumarius Lin. * Dianthus chinenfis Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 81. f. 2. Curtis Mag. 25. & . diftinét to L'ETTER -XIX. diftin@ from the former: feveral alfo of the forts, which are wild in many parts of Europe, though adorned with lefs fplendid flowers, and more modeft in their preten- fions, are not however without their beauty. The Carnation is acknowledged, on all hands, for a worthy leader of one of the fineft natural orders, entitled from the La- tin name of this fragrant flower Caryophy/- leous plants. When we confider the fize of the flower, the beauty of its colours, the arrangement of its parts, and above all the fingularly rich and fpicy odour that it exhales, we cannot withhold that tribute of admiration which will ever be given it, unlefs by obtruding itfelf too frequently on the eye, its real beauties become at length difregarded. The leading feature, in diftinguifhing the fpecies of this genus, is the sflore/cence or manner of flowering. Sweet William and fome others have aggregate flowers ; Carnation, Pink, China Pink, &c. have many flowers on the fame ftalk, not how- ever in herds, but folitary or feparate ; fome few have one flower only on a ftem ; and two or three have fhrubby ftalks. The ether circumftances that difcriminate the fpecies are, that the fcales at the bafe of the calyx in the Sweet Wilham are of an ovate- fubulate form, and as long as the tube of the corolla; in the Carnation and Pink they are DECANDRIA. tu QI Geo are fubovate and very fhort; in the China Pink they are fubulate, as long as the tube, and hang loofe. The Sweet. William. has allo lances fhaped leaves. Carnation and China Pink have the petals notched. The Pink has the corollas pubefcent at the bafe, and the petals deeply cut. For ornament and beauty you will gather thefe flowers from your parterre ; but as a botanift you will take them from a wall, or a dry un- tilled foil, where their fimplicity and the clearnefs of their natural characters will make you full amends for the want of {plendour. You would not always choofe to be among full-drefled people at a ball, or in a drawing room; but fometimes to take a rural walk, and entertain yourfelf with plain country manners. In the third order, befides fome others, Arena- there are four genera containing many fpe- ris, &c. cies which have a good deal of fimilitude. They are however thus well diftinguifhed. Arenaria and Stellaria have a capfule of one cell; Cucubalus and Silene, a capfule of three éells: of the two former the firft has the petals entire, the fecond has them bifid: of the two latter, in both of which the petals are bifid, the fecond has a crown compofed of a fet of minute petals in the centre; whereas the firft has nothing of this, or is naked. Arenaria and Ste/laria have alfo a five-leaved calyx; in Cucubalus it is much inflated, Sedum. LETTER. XIX. inflated, and in Si/ene it is fwelling. All four have five petals in the corolla. Spatling Poppy’ is not an uncommon weed among corn and in meadows. You will know it by the almoft round and much inflated calyx, beautifully veined, fo as to have the appearance of a fine network thrown over it, and quite fmooth: the co- rollas are not entirely naked, and are pure white. Sedums or Stone-crops are found in the fourth order (Pentag ynia). They are known by the general prevalence of the number five in all parts of the flower: a calyx cut into five fegments, a corolla of five petals, five nectariferous fcales at the bafe of the germ, and five capfules: not to mention the twice five ftamens, and five ityles, which form the characters of the clafs and order. Many of them are not uncommon in a wild ftate, particularly a fmall trailing fort with yellow flowers growing in a trifid cyme; and ovate, blunt, fmooth leaves, imbricate and alternately adhering to the {talk ™: other fpecies have white, and fome red corollas. They grow chiefly on walls, or in very dry foils. 1 Cucubalus Behen Zin. FI. dan. 857. Mor. hift. f. 5. t. 20. f. r. Ger. 678. 2° Blackw. 268: = Sedum acre Lin. Wall-pepper. Curtis, Lond. I. 32. Ger. 517. album 31. Ger, 512. 2. 5 Cackle, > DECANDRIA. Cockle®, which is fo common a weed among corn, has a membranaceous, one- leafed calyx ; a corolla of five obtufe, un- divided petals, and an oblong cap{ule of one cell. The fpecies is diftinguifhed by the roughnefs of the plant, the lencth of the fegments of the calyx, and by the pe- tals being entire and naked. Of Lychnis there are feveral fpecies agree- ing in thefe common characters. An ob- long, fmooth calyx of one leaf; a corolla of five petals flightly bifid; and a one- celled capfule of five valves. Scarlet Lychnis°®, commonly cultivated in gardens, has the flowers growing in bunches, fo that the whole forms nearly a flat furface at top; the colour of the co- rolla 1s a very high fcarlet. Catchfly?, fo called from the clammy juice exuding from the ftalks under each pair of leaves, glutinous enough to entangle {mall flies, is known by the petals being . almoft ‘entire; the colour of them is red: the leaves are long, narrow, and grafs- like, efpecially the lower ones. The flow- _ers of this and the foregoing are ufually double in the gardens, and therefore ufe- lefs to you in your botanical refearches. There is a fort of Lychuis commonly wild " Agroftemma Githago. Lin. Curtis, Lond. III. 27. Ger. 1087. FI. dan. 576. ° Lychnis chalcedonica Lin. P Lychnis Vifcaria Lin. ‘7e by aye Agrofem- ma. Lychnis. 5 EXT DE oR AIRE by water-fides and in moift meadows, caïled Ragged-Robin, Meadow-Pinks, Wild-Wil- hams, or Cuckow-flower%, which has red jagged petals, generally cut into four parts ; and roundifh capfules, the mouth of which has five teeth turning back. ‘There is alfo another no lefs common in paftures, called White Lychnis, or White Campion*, which difters effentially from its congeners in hav- ing the piftils feparate from the ftamens, and on diftiné plants. I leave you, dear coufin, with this irregularity, and wait a day of leifure to purfue our botanical career. 4 Lychnis fios cuculi Liz, Curtis, Lond. I. 33. Ger. 600. I. * Lychnis dioica Lin. F1. dan. 792. Mor. 5.21. 21. Ger. 469. 1. with red flowers, | LETTER bake TER Ad. THE CLASS DODECANDRIA. June the roth, 1775. OTHING difficult has hitherto occur- red, dear coufin, in your determina- tion of the claffes, the number of the fta- mens alone having fufficed for that purpofe. But no plant being yet difcovered with ele- ven ftamens, among thofe which have them diftina®, the eleventh clafs fhould be expected to contain thofe plants which have twelve; but here the number is found to be by no means conftant, and Linnzus is obliged to take into his clafs Dodecandria, all fuch plants as have from twelve to nineteen ftamens in- clufive. Nor is theeleventh clafs, with all this latitude, an eafy one fora novice to de- termine; the number of ftamens in fome cafes being fewerthan twelve, in others more than nineteen, or elfe coming out in parcels at different periods. It is not very numerous, containing but thirty-three genera and one hundred and fixty-four fpecies. Of the firft order, the moft known or the moft remarkable are 4/arum, or Afarabacca, /— * Brownea, which has naturally eleven ftamens, is of the fixteenth çlafs, AZonadelphia. RUE the 28 / Afarum. Portulaca. Lythrum. LED TER XX. the Mangofteen, Winter's Bark, Purflain, Lovfeftrife. Afarabacca has a calyx cut half way into three fegments, and fitting on the top of the ftyle: no corolla: and a leathery captule, of fix cells within, and crowned at top. There are three ipecies—the Canadian, the Virgi- nian, and the European’, which laft is diftin- guifhed by two kidney-fhaped leaves, ending bluntly. Purflain has a bifid calyx inclofing the germ: a corolla of five petals: anda capfule ‘of one cell, in which the receptacle is loofe ; in fome fpecies it opens horizontally”, in others it is trivalvular: the number of fta- mens varies inthe different fpecies. The Purflain, cultivated for fallads ‘, is a native of the hot parts of America; it is known by its wedge-fhaped leaves, and the flowers fit- ting clofe-tothe ftalk; and it is one of thofe which have the capfule opening horizon- tally. Loofeffrife has the calyx cut at the edge into twelve portions; and inclofing the cerm: the corolla of fix petals, inferted into the calyx: the capfule bilocular, and con- taining many feeds. Purple Loofefirife™ is a handfome plant, adorning the banks of * Afarum europæum Lin. FI. dan. 633. Mill. fig. t 52. " Capfula circumfciffa. Y Portulaca oleracea Lin. Blackw. t. 287. w Lythrum Salicaria Lin, Curtis, Lond. III. 28. Ger. 476, 5. rivers, / DODECANDRIA. rivers, ponds, and ditches, with its fine {pikes of purple flowers; the leaves grow in pairs, and are lance-fhaped, with a hollowed bate ; fometimes three leaves come out together from the fame point, and the ftalk is hex- angular; but this is only an accidental va- riety. Our fpecies anfwers to the character of the clafs in having twelve ftamens; but there are fome which have but ten, nay even only fix ftamens. In the fecond order are only two genera —Helocarpus, an American plant, little known; and 4grimony, an European, and fufficiently common. This has a {mall quinquefd calyx, fitting on the top of the germ, fortified with another: a corolla of five petals, inferted intothe calyx, and one or two roundith feeds in the bottom of the calyx. ‘The number of ftamens is very un- certain in this genus; fome fpecies having twelve, others ten, others feven. Common Agrimony*, which is found in woods and by hedge fides, has interruptedly-pinnate leaves on the ftalk, with the leaflet at the end petiolate; the feeds are fortified with briftles. The outer calyx grows faft to the inner; and theftamens vary in number from twelve totwenty. The third order has alfo only two genera, but they arenumerous ; Re/eda havingt welve and Euphorbia no lefs than fixty-nine fpecies. * Agrimonia Eupatoria Zin. Curt. Lond. 5. 32. FI, dan. 588. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 712. Ba No iS) “I NO Agrimo- nla. 280 Refeda. LETTER XX. No genera are more difficult to determine than thefe; the number and form of the parts varying in the different fpecies. The eflential character of the firft confifts in the trifid petals, one of them melliferous at the bafe ; and in a capfule of one cell, always open: the calyx alfo is of one leaf, cut into feveral narrow fegments, two of which gape more than the others on account of the melliferous petal; the ftamensare from eleven to fifteen in number. Dyer’ s-weed or Weld’ grows common in barren paftures, dry banks, and on walls; it 1s alfo cultivated for the ufe of the dyers*. ‘The leaves are lance-fhaped, and entire, except that they have one indentation on each fide at the bafe ; and the calyx is cut into four fegments. The corolla alfo has three petals; the upper one melliferous, and divided half way into fix parts; the oppofite lateral petals are trifid; and fome- times two {mall entire petals are added be- low. Dyer’s-weed is a biennial plant, pro- ducing the firft year a circle of leaves clofe to the ground; and the next a ftalk ter- minated by a long loofe {pike of yellowifh flowers. Sweet Refeda, or Mignionette*, has oblong ¥ Refeda Luteola Lin, F1. dan. 864. Ger. 494. 2 This is thought to be the plant with which the an- cient Britons dyed their bodies. * Refeda odorata Zin, Mill. fig. 217. Curt. Ma- gaz. 29. leaves, DODECANDRIA. 281 leaves, fome of which are entire, and others trifid ; the calyx of the flower is large, equalling the corolla in fize. The flowers are produced in loofe fpikes, on long pe- duncles; are of an herbaceous colour, and much efteemed for their agreeable odour, like that of frefh Rafpberries. Euphorbia has a corolla of four, and Lis fometimes of five petals, glandulous in moft >! fpecies, in fome fhaped Tike a crefcent, or indented about the edges, in a few thin as a fine membrane; commonly placed as it were on the outfide of the calyx, which is of one leaf, divided at the edge into four, or in fome into five parts, and ventricofe or {welling out. The ftamens are twelve or more, iffuing forth at different periods. The feed-vetiel is a capfule of three diftinét cells united, with one roundifh feed in each cell, and on the outfide fmooth, rough or warted in the different {pecies. This ge- nus being fo numerous, fome fubordinate diftinétions are neceffary : and accordingly Linnæus has divided it into feven feétions. The firft contains the Exphorbie properly fo called; or fuch as have a fhrubby, an- cular, {piny ftem, generally void of Jeaves. Phe fecond contains the fhrubby {pecies without fpines. In all the other feétions the ftems are dichotomous, or divide always by pairs, and the flowers are borne in a kind of umbel ; which, in the third feétion, is commonly bifid; in the fourth, #rifid ; 7 the 282 LETTER XX. the fifth, guadrifid; in the fixth, quingue- jd; and in the feventh, multifid. — Several fpecies of the firft fection yield indifferently that acrid milky juice, which when infpiffated is fent us under the title of Euphorbium. The flowers are of little beauty, and thefe plants have been noticed rather for the fingularity of their form, and the ftriking difference of their ftruéture, from the plants of Europe, than for any charms that they poflefs. The fpecies fup- pofed to be that from whence the ancients had the drug>, is known by a triangular, jointed ftalk: the fpecies from which it is faid we now have it‘, has a quadrangular ftem, and double fpines: and the fpecies which Linnæus fuppofes ought to be ufed ¢, is multanegular with double fpines. Medufa s-head° is of the fecond feétion. The ftalks are clofely covered with tuber- cles, lying over each other, and from the fides of theie {pring many branches, which are frequently fo entwined as to give the idea of a parcel of ferpents. ‘The ends of the branches have narrow fucculent leaves readily dropping off, and a fet of white. flowers. ) The plants of the other fections are com- > Euphorbia antiquorum Lin, Comm. hort. 1. t. 12. © Euphorbia canarienfis Liz. Comm. hort. 2. t. 104. ¢ Euphorbia officinarum Lin. Comm. hor. I. t. 11. © Euphorbia Caput Medufæ Zin. Comm. hort. 1. t. 17. | monly DODECANDRIA. monly known by the name of Spurge, and are moit of them wild in the different parts of Europe. Two fpecies are common weeds in kitchen gardens: one of them‘ belongs to the fourth fection, or thofe which have trifid umbels: the fubdivifions of thefe are dichotomous: the z#vo/ucellæ or braCtes are ovate ; and the leaves are quite entire, or without any notches about the edge; they are ovate in form, and attached to the falk by fhort petioles; each petal alfo has two little horns; the other ® is of the fixth feGtion, having quinquefid umbels; each principal divifion fubdivides into three; the involucellæ are fhaped as in the former; the leaves are wedge-fhaped, and ferrate about the edges ; and the petals are round and en- tire. A third fpecies", common in woods, is of the laft fection, with multifid umbels: it is a larger plant, and perennial; whereas “the others are annual: the zzvo/ucelle are round and perfoliate; the leaves are very blunt at the end. Spurges having little beauty, they are fel- dom cultivated in gardens. We muft how- ever except the Euphorbia punicea, a mott {plendid Jamaica plant, which flowers in the collection of the Marchionefs of Rock- f Euphorbia Peplus. Petty Spurge. Curtis, Lond. I. 35. Ger. 503. 10. 8 Euphorbia heliofcopia. Lin. Sun Spurge. Curtis, Lond. I. 36. Ger. 498. 2 À Euph. amygdaloides Din. Wood Spurge. Mor. hift. iio. t. fr Ger. 500, 9. in cham, 283 284 Semper- vivum, EETTER XX. ingham, and is admirably figured in Dr. Smith’s Icones pidie. ‘This belongs to the fifth feétion. One of the moft common is a biennial {pecies, of the fame fection, with the leaves oppofite and quite entire, called Broad-leaved Spurge or Cataputia'. Its na- tive place is Italy, and the fouth of France: it grows three or four feet high; the flow- ers are of a greenifh yellow, and the cap- fules being very elaftic, the feeds are thrown to a confiderable diftance. A fecond is pe- rennial, and of the laft feGtion *; the zzvo- Jucellæ are heart-fhaped; the petals are formed like a crefcent; and the capfules are {mooth; fome of the branches are bar- ren, and others bear flowers and feed; on the firft the leaves are narrow and fetaceous; on the fecond they are lance-fhaped. There is a genus’ of this clafs in which the number twelve prevails in all the parts. Having twelve ftyles, it is of the order Do- decag ynia. The calyx is divided into twelve parts; the corolla contifts of twelve petals; and the flower is fucceeded by twelve cap- fules, containing many {mall feeds. Common Houfeleek™ is one of thefe, which, though fo jucculent a plant, flourifhes on walls and # Euphorbia Lathyris Liz. Mill. illuftr. k Euphorbia Cypariffias Zin. Blackw. 163. f. 3. * Sempervivum, nearly allied to the Sedums in the tenth clafs. | ™ Sempervivum teétorum Zz. Curtis, Lond. IIf. 29. Fl. dan. 601. Mill, illuftr. Ger. 510. 1. Plate 17. of this work. roofs. DODECANDRIA. roofs. The edges of the leaves are fet with fhort fine hairs; and they do not grow ina globular form, as fome other fpecies do, but {pread open. From the centre of the heads of leaves arifes a round, red, fuccu- lent flower-ftalk, about a foot high, which at bottom has a few narrow leaves, and at top divides into two or three parts, each fupporting a reflex range of flowers, with red corollas. ‘Though the natural number in this genus be twelve, yet you will find it to vary exceedingly: nature being lefs conftant in larger than in fmaller numbers. With this fhort fketch, adieu, dear coufin, for the prefent. PEL TER 28 CL 28001) LETTER. XXI. THE CLASSES ICOSANDRIA AND POLYANDRIA. June the 211, 1775. OU have already, dear coufin, taken an imperfect view of the HE clafs, as far as it relates to fruit-trees": you are not however to fuppofe, either that all thefe trees range in the clafs Icofandria, or that no other ‘but them are to be found there. No lefs than twenty-nine genera, and two hundred and ninety-four fpecies, are included in this clafs, a confiderable portion of which is trees or fhrubs; many. herbs however are found among ete To diftinguifh this clafs Sa the next from the tee and. from each other, remem- ber always that it is not the number, but the fituation of the ftamens which furnifhes the claffical charaëter. In the next they arife, as generally in the other clafies, from the receptacle; but in this they {pring ei- ther direétly, or with the parts of the co- rolla, from the calyx °, which is of one leaf, and not flat but hollow: the corolla is moft frequently of five petals. a ]n Letter VII. e Plate 18. f. 1€. | Of ICOSANDRIA. 287 _ Of the firft order, Caéfus is a very con- Cattus. fiderable genus, comprifing the Me/on-thi/- tles, Tor ch-thi fes, or Cereufes, and the Opuntias or Indian Figs. Thefe all agree in a calyx, whole at the bottom, but yet confifting of feveral rows of leaves, and placed on the top of the germ: in a corolla which is double, or formed of feveral rows of petals: and in having a berry containing feverab-feeds in one: cell. The Melon-thifiles are roundifh bodies, without either leaf or ftalk. The Tieghs thiftles have a long {tem without leaves, which in many fpecies is ftrong enough to fupport itfelf; but in fome trails along the ground, or is fupported by trees: thefe laft are called Creeping Cereufes. Opuntias are compofed of flat joints connected to- gether. Thefe are all remarkable for a ftruture different from that of other plants; but fome of the Cereufes are much el for the beauty of the flowers, which are per- haps the more noticed, becaufe they are the lefs expected from plants whofe appearance is fo unpromifing. Thofe of the Great- Flowering Creeping g Cereus® are near a foot in diame on the infide of the calyx of a {plendid yellow, and the numerous petals of a pure white: hardly any flower makes, fo magnificent an appearance during the fhort P Ca&tus grandiforus Lia. Mill. fig. pl. go. time 288 BET TER. CKET time of its duration, which is one night only ; for it does not begin to open till feven or eight o’clock in tee evening, and clofes Bene fun-rife in the morning, unlefs it is gathered and kept in the ae by which means I have prevented it from clofing till about ten. This noble flower opens but once; but when, to the grandeur of its appearance, we add the fine perfume which it diffufes, there is no plant that more de- ferves your admiration. When it is not in blow, you will know it by the creeping ftem, marked longitudinally with about five prominences. Another fpecies of Creeping Cereus % is more common, but fcarcely lefs admirable for the beauty of its pink-coloured flowers, which the plant produces in greater quan- tity; they are alfo of longer duration, for they not only boldly fhow their face to the fun, but will even keep open three or four days. When it is not in flower, this fpe- cies is diftinguifhed by its very {lender branches, covered with {pines, and marked with ten prominences. But you are well acquainted with this fine plant, w hich re- quiring little heat, forms one of the prin- cipal ornaments of your drefiing-room, in the month of May. There are many fpecies of Opuntia, In- dian Fig, or Prickly Pear, all natives of 4 Cactus flagelliformis Lin. Ehret. pict. t. 2. Trew. ‘Ebr. t. 30. Curtis Mag. 17. America, ICOSANDRIA. | 289 America, and kept rather for their fingu- larity than their beauty, having no leaves, but a flat jointed ftalk, fet with knots of prickles, briitles, or both. The Cochineal Fig*, on which the infect of that name feeds, is the only one that is unarmed: this has oblong joints; the common fort * has roundifh joints, with brufhes of briftles, but no prickles. In this {ame order you will find the Sy- Philadel- ringa‘ .. The natural number in the calyx, Phus. corolla, and capfule, is four; but fometimes it is five. The tafte of the leaves like cu- cumbers, and the odour of its white flow- ers, like thofe of the orange, fufficiently dif- tinguifh this well known fhrub from all others. ‘The flight indentations about the edges of the leaf feparate it from another fpecies, which has none. Here too will you find your Re Myrtus, Myrtle, which has a calyx fitting on the top of the germ, and generally ne into five fegments ; a corolla oF five petals ; : and a berry for a fruit. Some fpecies however have a quadrifid calyx, and then the corolla has four petals: others have an entire undi- vided calyx. The Common Myrtle“, of which there are many varieties, has the r Ca&tus.cochinillifer L727. Dill. elth. €. 297. f. 383. * Cactus opuntia Lin. Mill. fig. t. rgr. ; t Philadelphus coronarius Lin. Duham arb. 82. _ § Myrtus communis Lin, Mul. fig. 184. pp 18. Ge . U flowers LED ER LE. flowers coming out fingly, and an zavolucre of two leaves upon the peduncle. In the fecond order there is only the Crataegus, a genus comprehending {everal {fpecies of Thorn, and alfo two trees, the Aria, or White Beam Tree”, and the Maple- leaved Service“. The generic characters are, a calyx cut into five fegments, and fitting on the top of the germ; a corolla of five petals; anda berry containing two feeds. The firft of the trees is readily known by the ovate fhape of the leaves, with very prominent tran{verfe veins, and unequal ferratures about the edges; but particularly by the hoarinefs of their under furfaces: the fecond, by its leaves cut into many acute angles like ‘thofe of the Maple ; the divifions are five or feven; and the loweft lobes ftand wider than the others. Cock/pur Hawthorn * has the leaves ovate, and to deeply ferrate, as to be almoft lobate. Virginian Azarole * has oval leaves, wedge- fhaped at the bafe, fhining and deeply fer- rate. Comman Hawthorn, or WVhite-thorn*, whofe flower has obtained the name of * Cratægus Aria Lin. FI. dan. 302. Mill. illuitr. Ger. 1327. 2. Hunt. Evel. filva. p. 173. ~ Cratægus torminalis Lin. Ger. 1471. 2. Fl. dan. 793. Hunt. Evel. filva. p. 146. * Crategus coccinea Lin, Mill. fig. 179. Ang). hort. AN Re Ae Y Crat. Cruf-galli Zi. Mill. fig. 178. 2. * Cr. Oxyacantha Jacqu. auftr. 292. 1. Blackw. Fag. Be: Germ heer. 5. Max, ICOSANDRIA. May, from the month in which it appears, has obtufe leaves, cut into three principal parts, and thofe ferrate. True Azarole* has leaves like the foregoing, but larger, paler, and with broad lobes: the flowers and fruit are alfo much larger. All thefe you will find in your plantations : as you will alfo two trees that are in the third or- 291 der, under the genus Sorbus; viz. the Sorbus. Mountain Afh° and the Service‘; both which have pinnate or winged leaves, like the Afh; fmooth on both fides in the firft, but villous on the under furface in the fe- cond; thefe alfo have the lobes broader, and not fo much ferrated. Their common characters are a quinquefid calyx, a penta- petalous corolla, and an inferior berry with three feeds. The fourth Order (Pentagynia), befides the Apple, Pear, and Quince, comprehended under one genus, Pyrus, has the Medlar with many other fpecies of trees or fhrubs in a fecond?; and all the fhrubs called Spiræa, in a third. Thefe genera agree in a quinquefid calyx, and a pentapetalous co- rolla; the germ 1s inclofed within the flower in the laft; but is beneath it in the reft: * Cr. Azarolus Lin. » Sorbus aucuparia Lin. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 1473. Hunt. Evel. filva. p. 211. , © Sorbus domeftica Lin. Edw. av. t. 211. Ger. VERRE * Mefpilus Lin.—germanica. Medlar. Ger. 1453. 1° Blackw. 154. - U 2 the 292 Mefem- bryan- themum. LETT E.R ete the fruit is the principal diftin@ion; in Pyrus it isa Pomum—in Me/pilus a Berry— in Spirea a fet of Cap/ules. This order boafts a large and fplendid genus of herbaceous fucculent plants, called Ficoides or Fig Marigolds*. Fifty fpecies all confent in a quinquefid calyx on the top of the germ; a multifid corolla of nar- row linear petals: and a flefhy capfule di- vided into cells correfponding with the number of ftyles, and containing many feeds. Though moft of the fpecies have five ftyles, yet fome have only four, and others have ten. This large genus is fubdivided into three feétions, from the colour of the flowers, which being ftriking and perma- nent, may here very well furnifh fuch a diftinétion, though it is in moft cafes a cir- cumftance not to be depended on. The corollas then, which are fpecious, very large, and double, are in the firit fection white, in the fecond red, and in the third yellow. ‘The different forms of the fuccu- lent leaves afford, almoft of themfelves, {ufficient fpecific diftinétions. The moft known fpecies is that which is called Diamond Ficoides, or more commonly Ice Plant‘. This has ovate, alternate, waving leaves, with white corollas; but it is chiefly regarded for the fingularity of be- © Mefembryanthemum Li». f Mefembryanthemum cryitallinum Zin. Dill. elth. +. 180. f, 221. Bradl. fucc. 5. t)'#5. f, 48. ing reas AND ER À À; ing covered with pellucid pimples, in the fun appearing like cryftalline bubbles. Eg yp- tian Kali®, efteemed for making the beit pot-afh, is alfo of this genus; has alternate, roundifh, obtufe leaves, ciliate at the bafe, and white corollas. « Of the laft order of this clafs the Rofe is a genus univerfally known; and, were it lefs {o, would hold the firft rank in the ad- miration of mankind. The diftin¢ctive cha- racters are, a quinquefid calyx ; a pentape- talous corolla; and a kind of pitcher-fhaped, flefhy berry, formed out of the calyx, ter- minated by the divifions of it, and containing {everal oblong, rough feeds, growing to the calyx on every fide. The fpecies are diftin- guifhed by the globofe or ovate form of the fruit, by the fituation of the {pines on the different parts of the fhrub, the infloret- cence, &c. The Sweet-Briar® has globote fruits befet with crooked fpines, and the leaves rubiginous or rufty underneath. The Dog-rofe or Wild-Briar* has ovate fruit, - but fmooth, as are alfo the peduncles; the {talk however and the petioles are {pinous, the petals are blufh-coloured and bilobate, & Mefem. nodiflorum Lin. Mor. hift. f. 5. t. 33. f. 7. Several fpecies of this beautiful genus are figured in Mr. Curtis’s Magazine :—as M. dolabriforme in t. 32.— bicolorum 59.—pinnatifidum 67.—barbatum 70.—and many more in Dillenius’s Hortus Elthamentfis. * Rofa rubiginofa Lin. Fl. dan. 870. Ger. 1269. ! Rofa canina Lin. Curt. Lond. 5. 34. Fl. dan. 555. Blackw. 8. U 3 and 295 Rofa, 294 Fragaria. LEDER LY XXL and there are two ciliate bractes, oppofite each other, to every flower. Strawberry, with all its various fruits, conftituting only one fpecies*, is of this order. Here, though the corolla has only five petals, the calyx is cut into ten feg- ments, alternately larger and fmaller, and the feeds are difperfed over the furface of a roundifh, pulpy receptacle, vulgarly called a berry. ‘Thefe are the generic characters. All the eatable Strawberries increafe by runners; and by this circumftance they are fufficiently diftinguifhed from the barren fort ', which not only has a dry juiceleis receptacle, but never throws out any of thefe runners. THE CLASS POLYANDRIA. The thirteenth clafs, Polyandria, has many ftamens to the flowers™ as well as the foregoing, but fpringing from the re- ceptacle along with the piftil. Thefe two claffes united would have formed too large a clafs for commodious examination ; a dif- ficulty to be avoided certainly in all cates where we can; befides, the plants con- tained in the one, are in general fo dif- ferent, both in their form and qualities, from thofe of the other, that it would have been a pity to intermix beings fo difcord- k Fragaria vefca, Zin. Mor. hift. f. 2. t. 19. f. 1. Ger. 997. Blackw: 77.1. ! Fragaria fterilis Zin. Curtis, Lond. III. 30. Ger. 998. m From 20 to 1000, ant, POLYANDRIA. to ‘NO & ant, or to unite in the fame clafs fruits which are fo pleafant to the palate, and wholefome to the conftitution, with herbs deftruétive to the human frame from their poifonous qualities; as many of thofe in the clafs Polyandria are known to be. In- the firft order (Monogynia) you will Papaver. find the Poppy, which is fufficiently il tinguifhed by a calyx of two leaves"; a corolla of four petals; and a one-celled cap- fule, crowned with the ftigma, under which it opens with many holes, to give exit to the numerous little feeds. Of this genus, four fpecies have rough, and five have fmooth capfules. The common Corn Pop- py°; the fpecies ufed in medicine, and which yields the Opium’; the Welch Poppy; and the Oriental fort, now intro- duced as an ornament to the flower gar- den, are all of the latter divifion. ‘The firft has the capfules almoft globofe; the ftalk covered with hairs, and fuftaining feveral flowers of a fine high fcarlet; and the leaves pinnatifid and cut. The fecond has the calyx fmooth, as well as the cap- fule, the leaves cut and embracing the ftalk: that which is cultivated in the fields has white corollas, and oblate fpheroidal " This falls off fpontaneoufly when the flower ex- pands. ‘ ee Rhæas Lin. Curtis, Lond, III. 32. Ger. GI 30 Fut £2. P ates fomniferum Lin. Blackw. t. 483. Ger. 370, 4 Papaver orientale Lin, Curt. Magaz. 57. U4 heads Ciftus. LETTER XXI. heads as big as an orange, with white feeds: the garden fort has purplifh corollas, very dark at the bafe, with fmaller oblong heads and black feeds: this varies much in co- Jour, and has fometimes very large and very double flowers, then refembling an immenfe Carnation. Some perfons are of opinion that the field and garden Poppy are different ipecies; Linnæus makes them but one: I have given you the ditlerences, but do not take upon me to decide. The cap- fules of the Welch Poppy are oblong; the ftalk fmooth ; the leaves winged air cut : the corollas large and yellow. The Oriental Poppy has rough leafy ftalks, fupporting one large, fingle, red flower; the leaves are winged, and ferrate about the edge. All the fpecies of Poppy have a ftrong ditt agreeable fmell. The Caper‘ is of this firft order ; fo is the Tea-tree, and the Lime‘; the Water- Lilies, both ‘yellow “and white’, {preading their broad leaves on the iurface of flow- moving ftreams and ftagnant pools, and railing their ample many-petalled corollas above it. Here alfo is the numerous and beautiful genus Ci/fus, known by a calyx of five eee : two of which are lefs than r Papaver cambricum Lia. Dill. elth. t. 223. f. 290. * Capparis fpinofa Lin. Blackw. 417. t Tila Europea Lin. Fl. dan. 553. Ger. 1483. Hunt. Ev. filva. p. 194. " Nymphæa lutea Lin. Fl. dan. 603, Ger. 819. 2 * Nymphæa alba Zin, F1. dan, 602. Ger. 810. A the ‘ POLYANDRIA, the other three; a corolla of five petals 3 and a capfule for a feed-vefiel. Of thefe there are forty-nine fpecies, moft of them fhrubs, but fome herbaceous ; the corollas purple, white or yellow in the different jorts. 297 Peony is of the fecond order, which is aPœonia, fmall one: the characters of the genus are a calyx of five leaves, a corolla of five pe- tals, and two or three germs, crowned immediately with ftigmas, without the in- terpolition of any ftyles. This, and fome plants of the following orders, are ftrictly united by one natural bond, under the name of Multi/iique or Many-podded; having a fruit compofed of jeveral pericarps joined together. They agree likewife in having either no calyx, or at leaft one very apt to fall off ; a polype- talous corolla, and ftamens exceeding the petals in number. Of thefe you are ac- quainted with the Lar&/pur and Aconite, belonging to the third order; the Co/um- Lines to the fifth, and He//ebore to the laft. None of them have any calyx; and they have all a corolla of five petals: the necta- ries form the principal diftinétion of the ge- nera“. This in Lark/pur is bifid, fefiile, and continued backwards into a horn or fpur. Aconite has two recurved, peduncu- late nectaries. Columbine has five of thefe w See Pl. 34. f. 1, 2, 8. horn- 298 Delphi- nium. Aconi- tum, Aquile- gia. LETTER XXI. horn-fhaped neétaries, between the petals. Hellebore has many fhort, tubulous neétaries, placed in a ring round the outfide of the ftamens, each divided into two lips at top. Larkfpur has allo either one capfule or three, and the garden fpecies * is diftin- - guifhed by its fimple unbranched ftem from the wild one’, which has it fubdivided : thefe both have the neétary of one leaf; in Bee Lark/pur = and the reft it is of two. ÆAconite has the upper petal arched; and three or five capfules. You have one {pe- cies common in your flower-borders and plantations, with long {pikes of large blue flowers, called Monzk’s-hood*; this is one of the fpecies that have three capfules to a flower; and the leaves are multifid, with linear divifions, broadeft at top, and marked with a line running along them. Vholefome WVolfsbane”, as it is called, has five captules, five ftyles, and the flowers are {ulphur-co- loured. Columbine has five diftinét capfules : the common {fort © has bent neétaries : in its wild ftate the flowers are blue, the petals fhort, and the nectaries very prominent; in * Delphinium Ajacis Lin. Ger. 1087. . ¥ Delphinium Confolida Zin. FI. dan. 683. Ger. 1083.. 5. : * Delphinium elatum Lin. Mill. fig. 250. f. 2. : ar ten Napellus Lin, Mill. illuftr. Jacq. auftr. . I. sep Anthora Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 12. Jacq. auftr. 4. 382. € Aquilegia vulgaris Lin. F1. dan. 695. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 1093, 1094: 5 the POLYANDRIA. 299 the garden you obferve not only a variety of colours, but that the petals are excluded, and the neétaries much multiplied. He//e- Hellebo- bore has fometimes more than five petals to" the corolla: and always feveral capfules fucceeding to each flower; thefe contain many round feeds, fixed to the future of the capfule. The winter-flowering {pecies, commonly called winter Aconite*, is the only one that drops its petals; it bears one yellow flower fitting on the leaf. True Black Hellebore or Chrifimas Rofe* has one or two large white flowers upon a naked ftalk, and flefhy pedate leaves. Stinking Black Helle- bore or Bear’s-foot ? fuftains many greenifh flowers on one ftalk, and pedate leaves on the ftem, but none towards the root. This is not uncommonly wild, and you will find it flowering during winter under the trees in your plantations, Caution your poor neighbours againft being too free in giving their children this plant againft worms; for in too large a dofe it is cer- tainly dangerous. Indeed all the herbs juit now defcribed are more or lefs poifonous: Aconite is known to be highly fo. The laft order of this clafs, Polyandria, Lirioden- contains alfo the Tu/ip-tree, which has a tri- dron. * Helleborus hyemalis Liz. Curtis, bot. mag. 3. © Helleborus niger Zin. Curtis, bot. mag. 8. f Helleborus fœtidus Zin. Blackw. t. 57. Ger. 970. 4. phyllous 300° LET TSHR: XXI: phyllous calyx, fix petals to the corolla, and many lance-fhaped feeds lying one over another, and forming a fort of /robile. This tree is remarkable for the fhape of its leaves, having the middle lobe of the three truncate, or cut tranfverfely at the end. The flowers are large and bell-fhaped; the petals marked with « green, yellow, and red Magno- {pots®. Here alfo are the Magnolias, which Ba. have a calyx of three leaves like the lait, but a corolla of nine petals; the fruit is a frrobile or fcaly cone of bivalvular capfules, covering a club-fhaped receptacle, each cap- fule containing a roundith feed, like a berry, hanging out by a thread. It is to be la- mented that thefe fine trees, fo beautiful both in leaf and flower, will not bear all the rigour of our climate. Anemou. L'his order boafts two numerous genera, much efteemed among the florifts—the Anemone and Ranunculus. The firft has no calyx; a corolla of two or three rows, with three petals in each row: and many naked feeds, retaining each their ftyle. You are now too far advanced in the fcience, to need a caution againft taking the fine flowers of your beds, upon which the gardener fo much values himielf, in order to examine the corolla of the Aemone; they are the children of art; not thofe of nature, fuch t Liriodendron Tulipifera Zin. Trew, Ehr. t. 10. Catefb. car. 1. t. 48. as POLYANDRIA. as we are ftudying. The early Heparica is of this genus; and is known by its three- lobed entire leaves. It is the only fpecies which has any thing like a calyx; for it has a perianth of three leaves, which being re- mote from the flower, is rather an z#volucre than a calyx. The Pa/que-flower’, fo called from its flowering about Eafter, is alfo of this genus: it adorns fome of our dry chalky hills with its beautiful bell- fhaped, purple flowers; and though it has no calyx properly fo called, yet the flower- ftalk has a leafy multifid mvolucre; and the leaves are doubly winged, or d:pinnate. ‘Each plant bears but one nodding flower ; and after that is paft, the top of the plant is hoary with the tails, which adhere to the feeds. Another wild fort is the Wood nemone *, bearing only one white or pur- plith flower on a plant ; the leaves are com- pound, with cut lobes; and the feeds are pointed, but without tails. The garden Anemones, which are fo ornamental to the flower-garden in the fpring, are only of two fpecies, notwithftanding the great va- riety of their colours; red, white, purple, blue, with all the intermediate fhades, and * Anemone Hepatica Lin, Curtis, bot. mag. 10. Fl. dan. t. 610. ? Anemone Pulfatilla Ziz. Relh. Fl. cantab. p. 208. F1. dan. 153. Ger. 385. 1. * Anemone nemorofa Lin. Curtis, Lond. If. 38. F}, dan. 549. Ger. 383. 2. innumerable 393 302 LETTER XXI mnumerable variegations of them. Art, to increafe their beauty, has rendered them very large and double; but we can fill diftinguith the fpecies by their leaves, which in one are decompounded, dividing by threes; in the other ™ digitate: the ftalk is leafy ; and the feeds are tailed, in both {pe- Ranuncu- cies. ‘The rival genus of the Anemone is lus. the Ranunculus, which differs from it in having a calyx of five leaves, and a corolla of five petals: but the diftinguifhing mark of this genus is a honied gland juft above the bafe of each petal, on the infide*. Of forty-four fpecies many are wild; and fome extremely common in moît parts of Europe, under the name of Butter-flowers, Butter- cups, and Kimg-cups. ‘Three forts particu- larly, which at one feafon caft a yeilow veil over our meadows, are generally con- founded and looked upon as one. How- ever the du/bous°® has the calyx bent back to the flower-ftalk, whereas in the ereep- ing P and acrid? it is open or fpreading : in the firft and fecond the peduncle is fur- rowed ; in the third it is round, without 1 Anemone coronaria Lin. Mill. fig. pl. gr. ™ Anemone hortenfis Lin. Curtis Magaz. 12 See Pl. 34. 4. ° Ranunculus bulbofus Lim, Curtis, Lond. I. 38. > . à Ger. 953. 6. ~ P Ranunculus repens Lim. Curtis, Lond. IV. 38. Ger. 951. 1. 4 Ranunculus acris Lin. Curtis, Lond, I. 39. Ger. 951. 2. any POLYANDRIA. any channelling: befides this, the leaves are very different upon in{pection ; and the firft has a bulbous root, the fecond throws out abundance of runners which {trike root like thofe of the ftrawberry, and the third is a taller, gentecler, later-flowering plant. But not the meadows only are filled with Ranunculi; the woods*, the corn-fields :, the waters‘, have alfo their fhare of them. One fpecies, which flowers in moift mea- dows very early in the fpring, is fo dif- tin from its fellows, that fome bota- nifts have not fcrupled to remove it from this genus, to form one by itfelf: for it has a calyx of three leaves only ; but, to make amends, a corolla of more petals than five: it has heart-fhaped, angular, petiolate leaves, one flower on a ftalk, and tuberous or knobby roots*. But the Perfian Ranunculus’ is the great rival of the Anemone, in the flower-garden, for the beauty and variety of the large, double corollas; which are fo changed by art, that you muft have recourfe, for * Ranunculus auricomus Lin. Curtis, Lond. IT. 41. Rel. G54..7. * Ranunculus arvenfis Lin. Fl. dan. 219. Ger. — 951. 3- ‘ Ranunculus fceleratus, hederaceus, aquatilis, &c. Lin.—{celeratus Curtis, Lond. II. 42. Ger. 962. 4.—hederaceus, IV. 39. FI. dan. 321,—aquatilis. Ger. 829. F1. dan. 276. # Ranunculus Ficaria Lin, Leffler Celandine. Curtis, Lond. II. 39. Ger. 816. * Ranunculus afiaticus Lin, Mill. fig, 216. 3 BRETT ER XXI. the fpeciñic diftinétion, to the leaves; thefe are ternate, and biternate, the ïobes trifid and cut. ‘The ftalk is ereét, round, hairy, and branching at bottom: the ra- dical leaves are fimple. With all this employment as a botanift, and amufement as a florift, I leave you, dear coufin, for the prefent, * LET FER & 300) LETTER XXII THE CLASS DIDYNAMIA. July the 1ft, 1775. AVING now finifhed more than half our courfe, we are arrived ata fet of natural claffes, with which you are fo well acquainted, as to find no difficulty in affigning the proper place to any plant belonging to them. The ftru@ture of the Romero in the four- teenth clafs was explained at length in the fourth letter: but the proper and effential character of it is, the having four ftamens, all in one row, and in pairs; the outer pair longer than the other, whence the name Didynamia; and one ftyle: all included within an irregular monopetalous or ringent corolla. This clafs has only two orders; which are not founded upon the form of the flower, as you might be led to fuppofe from what was faid in a former letter; nor upon the number of the ftyles, as in the fore- going clafles, becaufe none of the flowers have more than one; but upon the circum- {tance of having four naked feeds, bofomed in the calyx; or elfe many fixed to a recep- tacle in the middle of a pericarp: the firft « of G'echo- mi. LEWTER XII. of thefe is called Gymnofpermia, the fecond Angiofpermia. This clafs contains one hundred and two genera, and fix hundred and forty-three {pecies ; and each order forms a natural one—the firft including the Verticillate plants, fo called from the manner in which the flowers grow, in verfici/li or whorls: they alfo agree in producing the leaves by pairs, and in having the ftalks fquare. The fecond comprifing ‘the Per/onate flowers ; or fach as have moftly a perfonate corolla, but always a pericarp, or veflel inclofing the feeds. THE ORDER GYMNOSPERMIA. The effential generic character of Ground Ivy" is at the {ame time beautiful and ex- tremely diftinétive, each pair of anthers forming an elegant little crofs, one above the other. ‘The leaves are kidney-fhaped, and notched about the edges. In this ge- nus, in Hyflop, Mint, Lavender, Bugle, Betony, Dead-Nettle, Cat-Mint, Savory, Horehound, &c. the calyxes are pretty regularly quinquefid. In Thyme, Bafil, Self-heal, Marjoram, Baum, &c. they are bilabiate. In Mint the corollas are hardly ringent; the filaments are ftraight and dif- tant. Lavender has the corollas, as it were, w Glechoma hederacea Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 44. Ger. 856. 1. PI. 20. f. 1. of this work. turned 5 DIDYNAMIA GYM N. 307 turned fop/yturvy ; that which is the upper part in moft others being the lower in this, and vice verfa; the calyxes alfo are fup- ported by a éracée; and the ftamens lie within the tube. Yeweri:um has no proper upper lip, but the corolla is flit quite through for the ftamens to pafs. Bugle has Ajuga. the upper lip of the corolla remarkably fhort, much fhorter than the filaments; our common wild fpecies * is known by its fmoothnefs, and increafing by runners. Be- petonica. tony has the upper lip of the corolla flattifh and rifing, with a cylindric tube; the feg- ments of the calyx are prolonged into narrow thin points like awns; and the filaments extend not beyond the neck or opening of the tube. Wood Betony Y is diftinguifhed by an interrupted fpike, and by the middle feg- ment of the lip being emarginate, or having one notch. Cat-mint has the middle divi- Nepeta, fion of the lower lip crenate, or flightly notched ; the edge of the chaps reflex; and the ftamens clofe. The flowers of the wild fpecies * are in a fpike, confifting of a fet of whorls on fhort peduncles ; the leaves are heart-fhaped, bluntly ferrate and petio- late. If you have any doubt concerning this * Ajuga reptans Zin. Curtis, Lond. II. 43. Ger. 631. he “ ¥ Betonica officinalis Lin. Curtis, Lond. IIT. 32. Ger. 714. * Nepeta Cataria Lin. F1. dan, 580. Mor. hift. £11. t. 6.f, 1. Ger, 682. 1. + plant 308 LET ee Reins plant prefent it to pufs, and fhe will inform you by the carefles which fhe beftows upon it, 19 common with Marum and Valerian; the firft of which not growing wild, and the fecond being fo very different a plant, fhe Ballota. Cannot lead you into an error. Black Hore- hound and White Horehound both have a ca- lyx marked with ten ftreaks ; but the upper lip of the corolla, in the former, is arched and crenate: in the latter ftraight, linear, and bifid. Common Black Horehound? is known by its whole, heart-fhaped, ferrate leaves, and fharp-pointed calyxes : the co- Marru- rollas are red. Common White Horebound? bium. has the divifions of the calyx ending in fe- taceous hooked points: the corollas are white, and the whole plant has a white appearance from the nap that covers the {talks and leaves. Thymus. Of the fecond divifion with bilabiate ca- lyxes, Thyme has the opening of the tube clofed with hairs. Wild Thyme‘ that fmells {o gratefully, and adorns dry theep-paftures with its red flowers, is known by thefe flowers growing in a head; by the divifions of the calyx being ciliate; the leaves ovate, flat, blunt at the end, dotted with little * Ballota nigra Lin. Blackw. 136. Mor. hift. f. 11. t. or hrs Gers Sor, Te > Marrubium album Lin. Blackw. 479. Moris, t. 9. fx Gert 6034/8. ©‘ Thymus Serpyllum Zin. Curtis, Lond. Il. 47.” Mor. hift. t. 17. f. 1. elands, DIDYNAMIA GYMN. glands, and ciliate at the bafe; and by its creeping ftalks. Garden Thyme“ is an erect plant, with its ovate leaves revolute, and the flowers in a fet of whoris, all together making a fpike. Of this there are feveral varieties, as there are alfo of the other. Bafil has an involucre of many narrow leaves immediately under the whorl of flowers. 359 Marjoram is diftinguifhed by an mvolucre Giva. compofed of ovate, coloured, imbricate num. Braëles, forming all together a fquare kind of fpike or ffrobile. Wild Marjoram has the {pikes rounded at the corners, conglo- merate, and all together forming a panicle; the bractes longer than the calyxes. You will find this wild under hedges, and among bufhes. That which is in the kitchen gar- — den, under the name of Pot Marjoram', differs not greatly from the next: the {pikes are oblong, aggregate, and hairy; the leaves heart-fhaped, and nappy ; the item woody, and the flowers white. Sweet Marjoram ® has ovate leaves, blunt at the end, and roundifh compact pubefcent {pikes. Winter Sweet Marjoram” has long, aggregate, pe- dunculate {pikes, and the brates the length of the calyxes. The corollas of this are 4 Thymus vulgaris Zir. Blackw. t. 211. © Origanum vulgare Zin. Curt. Lond. 5. 39. Fi. dan. 638. Mor. hift. f. 11. t. 3. f. 12. Ger. 666. 4. * O. Onites. Bocc. mus. 2. t. 38. Ger. 664. 2. 8 Origanum Majorana Lin. Blackw. t. 319. * Origanum heracleoticum Liz. Lob. ic. 492. te white ; Meliffa. Dracoce- phalum. LET TER / XXH, white; of the other red. Dittany of Crete‘ has the imall purple flowers colleéted in loofe, nodding heads, with imbricate braétes; the ftalks are pubefcent, purplifh, and fend out {mall branches from their fides by pairs ; the leaves are round, thick, and fo woolly as to be quite white: the whole plant has a piercing aromatic fcent, and biting tafte. This is the celebrated plant with “which Venus cured the wound of A®neas *. Baum has a dry, chaffy, angular calyx, flattifh at top ; the upper lip rifing: the cafque of the corolla 1s a little arched, and deeply notched or bifid; the lower lip is trifid, with the middle lobe heart-fhaped. Common Garden Baum' has the flowers growing in {mall loofe bunches from the wings of the ftalk, in whorls, and the pedi- cles are fimple or unbranched. ‘There are two plants of this genus growing wild, that have the name of Ca/amint™. Dracoce phalum is diftinguifhed principally by the great in- flation, or wide opening of the chaps of the corolla, the upper lip alfo is arched, folded, and obtufe. Of this genus is the very fine-fmelling plant vulgarly called Baum of Gilead*, which has compound 1 Origanum Diétamnus Lin. Blackw. t. 462. an ircil Æneid. XII. ! Meliffa officinalis Lin. Blackw. t. 27. m Meliffa Calamintha & Nepeta Liz. Blackw. t. 166, & 167. " Dracocephalum canarienfe Lin. Mor. hift. f, 11. t. 11. fig. laft. leaves, DIDYNAMIA GYMN. f 311 leaves, confifting of three or five oblong, pointed, ferrate leaflets; and flowers com- ing out in thick, fhort fpikes : the corollas are pale blue. Se/f- heal is known immedi- Prunella. ately by its forked filaments, with the an- thers inferted below the top: the ftigma alfo is emarginate or bifid. Wild Se/f-heal®, fo common in paftures, has all the leaves of an oblong ovate form, ferrate about the edge, and petiolate. Scutellaria is abund- Scutella- antly diftinct from all the other genera of ™* this order by its fruétification ; for the calyx is entire at the mouth, and after the flower is paft, clofes with a kind of lid; fo that the whole bears a refemblance to a helmet, whence the names of Cafida, Skull-cap, and Hooded Willow-berb: and the feeds be- ing hereby inclofed in a kind of capfule, this genus forms the conneéting link be- tween this order and the next. The {pe- cies common on the banks of rivers, by ditch fides, and other watery places’, has Jance-fhaped leaves, hollowed at the bafe, ‘notched about the edge, and wrinkled on the furface; the flowers are blue, and pro- ceed from the axils, or angles formed by the leaves or fubdivifions of the main {tem. * Prunella vulgaris ZLin., Curtis, Lond. IV. 42. Ger. É32-3T: , P Scutellaria galericulata Lin. Curtis, Lond, II. 36. Ger. 477. 10. D. Sari THE 312 Oroban- che. Rhinan- thus. LETTER XXII. THE ORDER ANGIOSPERMIA, The corollas in all the genera of the firft order, with very few exceptions, are open- mouthed, Labrate, or Ringent, properly fo called. In the fecond order, which you are now going to furvey, many of them are Perfonate, or Labiate, with the lips clofed ; {ome however have open bell- -fhaped, wheel-fhaped, or irregular corollas. To have feeds inclofed in a Pericarp i is common to all, and hence the name of the order Angiofpermia. In moft of the genera the calyxes are quinquefid; in fome however they are bifid, in one trifd, in many qua- drifid, and in two multid. 4 Of thofe with bifid calyxes, you have the Orobanche or Broom rape; which has an open corolla, divided at top into four feg- ments, and nearly regular; there is a gland at the bafe of the germ; and the capfule is unilocular and bivalvular. The common fpecies has a pubefcent ftalk, abfolutely undivided; the fingular fewillemort hue of this plant is alone fufficient to betray it to you at firft fight. Among fuch as have quadrifid calyxes, are Rbinanthus, Yellow Rattle, or Cock’s- comb, and Eyebright: thete have Per/fonate 4 Orobanche major Lin. Curtis, Lond. [V. 44. Ger. relates | corollas : DIDYNAMIA ANG. 313 corollas: the firft has the calyx fwelling ; and an obtufe, comprefled bilocular capfule. The wild fort', common in moift meadows, is known by the fhortnefs and comprefied form of the upper lip of the corolla; the colour is yellow: the calyx is very large, being an early flowering plant; this part grows dry before the time of mowing, and makes a crafhing or ratling found under the icythe. Euphra/y, or Eyebright, once cele- Euphrafia, brated as fit ** to purge the vifual ray,” has the calyx cylindric ; the anthers fpinous at the bafe of one of their lobes: and the capfules of an oblong ovate form, and bilo- cular. The officinal {pecies* has ovato-li- near leaves, fharply indented about the edges. It isan humble, neat plant, growing in dry paftures and heaths; and the corolla, on a near view, is very elegant. In the largeft fection, with quinquefid Antirrhi- calyxes, you will find the Autirrhinum genus "™ comprifing forty-feven fpecies. The corolla is perfonate, prolonged at the bafe into a bag or fpur; and the feed veffel is a bilocu- lar capfule. Of two fpecies formerly men- tioned to you, Toadflax* has linear leaves in- clining to lanceolate, growing many toge- * Rhinanthus Crifta galli Liz. Curtis, Lond. V. 43, Mort hift/f, 11: € 22. f 1. Ger: tozr.._ 1. * Euphrafia officinalis Zin. Curtis, Lond. V. 42. Mort. hift. t. 24. f. 1. Ger. 663. * Antirrhinum Linaria Zin. Curtis, Lond, I. 47. Ger. 550. 1. 7 ther 314 LETTER XXII. ther upon an erect ftalk ; the flowers grow clofe in feffile fpikes, terminating the ftem ; the under lip of the corolla is hairy within, the chaps are orange-coloured, but the reft is of a pale yellow, and it ends in along fpur. It is now in flower, or will foon be fo. Accident has produced a ftrange variation in this plant, by changing the corolla from perfonate with four didynamous ftamens, to regularly pentapetalous with five, the reit of the plant remaining the fame*. Va- rieties partaking of the nature of two {pe- cies are not uncommon’, but as they are generally found among annual plants, and never produce feed, they are loft almoft as foon as they come to perfection. Whereas this being perennial, and creeping much at the roots, has been preferved as an example of monfters in vegetable nature. Snapdra- gon™ has the leaves of the calyx rounded at top, the flowers growing in a fpike, andthe corollas fpurlefs ; the colours of thefe are red with white or yellow mouths, or en- tirely white, or elfe white with yellow mouths: the leaves are lance-fhaped and petiolate. Several fpecies of Antirrhinum are wild on walls and in corn fields ; and fe- veral others are not uncommon in gardens: " This is defcribed at Jength under the name of Pe- doria in the firft volume of Aman. Acad. ¥ Thefe are called Hybridous plants, or AdZules. * Antirrhinum majus Zin. Mill. fig. t. 42. Ger. SAONE 2,1% as DIDYNAMIA ANG, 316 as Three-leaved Toadflax*, an annual plant, having ovate, {mooth, gray leaves, gene- rally ternate, as the name implies, but fometimes only in pairs: the flowers grow in fhort {pikes at the top of the ftalks, and are fhaped like thofe of common Toad-flax, only the tubes are not fo long; they are yellow, with faffron-coloured chaps. Two or three perennial fpecies, with handfome {pikes of blue flowers, and fome of them {melling {weet’, are ufually in large bor- ‘ ders, among flowermg-fhrubs, and other perennials. Scrophularia or Figwort is another of Scrophu- thefe; the corolla 1s of the top{yturvy kind, laria- almoft globular in its form; the two upper divifions are the largeft and erect; the two fide-ones {pread open, and the fifth below is reflex. In many {pecies, under the topmott divifion, in the chaps of the corolla there is a little flap refembling a lip: the flower is fucceeded by a bilocular capfule. Two fpecies are fufficiently common ; one in woods and hedge-rows*, with the angles of the ftem blunted, and heart-fhaped leaves, much prolonged at the tip, and marked with three rifing nerves: the other by river * Antirrhinum triphyllum Zin. Bocce. fic. t. 22. Y Antirrhinum purpureum, repens & monfpeffula- num, &c. Lin. 1. Riv. mon. 82.—2 Dill. elth. 198. t. 163. f. 197.—3. Dill. elth. 199. * Scrophularia nodofa Lin. Blackw. t. 87. Mor. hift. LSet. 6. F2. Gere ti6. x; fides, 316 Digitalis. Bignonia. LÉ TTER : XX MH: fides, and in other watery places*, with a membrane running along the ftalk at the angles, and heart-fhaped leaves blunted at the end. Thefe plants have a dufky fhade fpread over their green, and their flowers are of a dull red. ' Foxglove, one of the moft fhowy of our wild plants, has an open corolla, divided into four fegments at top, and {welling out be- low, fhaped like the fingers of a glove; the capfule ovate and two celled. Wild or purple Foxglove? is diftinguifhed by having the leaves of the calyx ovate and acute, with the fegments of the corolla obtufe, and the upper lip entire: the infide of the corolla is beautifully {prinkled with {pots refembling eyes; and the leaves are large and wrinkled : red is the colour of the id ee in its wild ftate; when cultivated in gardens it varies to white and yellow. Bignonia has a cyathiform calyx, narrow at bottom, and fpreading wide at top; a bell- fhaped corolla, {welling out below, and divided into five fegments at top : ; and a two- celled Z lique for a feed-veflel, containing winged feeds lying clofe over each other. Phe. Trumpet flower of Virginia and Ca- nada, with its trailing branches, putting @ Scrophularia aquatica Zin. Curt. Lond. V. 44. FI. dan. ‘507. Blackw. t. 86. Ger. 715. P Digitalis purpurea Lin, Curtis, Lond, I. 48. Fl. dan. t. 74: ‘Ger. 790. 1. ¢ Bignonia radicans Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 65. PH 20. £2 se ae out DIDYNAMIA ANG. 319 out roots from the joints, to acquire fup- port and nourifhment from trees, has pin- nate leaves, the leaflets of which are cut: the large trumpet- taped flowers are orange coloured. The Catalpa® is alarge tree with leaves remarkably fimple, and heart- -fhaped : the flowers are produced in great branching _ panicles; they are of a dirty white, with a few purple {pots, and faint ftripes of yellow ; but, what is moft remarkable, they De only two perfect ftamens, with {mall rudi- ments of three others ; the calyx alfo is not barely quinquefid, but divided quite to the bottom. Acanthus, the leaves of which are faid to Acanthus. have given the firft hint of the elegant Co- mathien capital, is alfo of this order, but of that fection. which has bifid calyxes: it has anirregular corolla, without any upper lip ; the lower one has three lobes; the anthers are villous, and the capfule is two-celled. I cannot help remarking to you, fince it has ftruck me, that the greater part of the genera in the principal fection of this order, is dedicated to the memory of eminent bota- nifts. Here ftands the great Linnzus him- felf; the celebrated Arabian Avicenna; thofe fathers of the {cience Gefner and Columna : in Italy, Crefcentio, Tozzi, Vandelli, Du- rante, Cirillo; the illuftrious Frenchmen, 4 Bignonia Catalpa Zin. Duham. arb. 1. t. 41. Catefb. car. 1. t. 49. Bignon, LETTER XXII. Bignon, Barrelier, Ruellius, Cornutus, Do- dart; Celfius, Toren, Brovall, Swedes; Brunfelfius, Buchner, Bontius, Volka- mer, Loefel, Befler, Hebenftreit, Lindern, Gmelin, and other Germans; Oviedo the Spaniard; and of England old venerable Gerard, Millington, and in more modern times, Lord Petre and two contemporary profefiors of Oxford and Cambridge. The illuftrious, the indefatigable Baron Haller, occupies a fection alone, as he well merits, being himfelf an hoft. This plan, of con- fecrating newly difcovered plants to perpe- tuate the memory of perfons who have been eminent in the fcience, appears to me well imagined. Ladies have had this honour‘, as well as the men ; and] have no doubt, dear coufin, but that you will one day merit a nich in this temple. © See Strelitzia Regine in Hort. Kew. 1. 285. Curt. magaz. 119, 120. John Miller’s plates, t. 5, 6. Port- landia grandiflora in Dr. Smith’s Icones piétæ. Mon- fonia fpeciofa, Curt. magaz. 73. LEAMTER G 3197) LE DIE Re EXTIL THE CLASS TETRADYNAMIA. _ Auguft the 4th, 1775. EFORE any idea of fyftem or arrange- ment had gone abroad, every fcientific eye perceiving a fimilitude between the Cabbage and Turnip, the Stock and Radifh in the fructification, there was an univerfal agreement among authors to place thefe plants, and others like them, in the fame fetion or divifion of their books, and to treat of them all together. You have al- ready feen’ the hature Of this fimilitude, and are not at any lofs in claffingthe Crz- ciform tribe: you have only to learn that the fifteenth clafs (Tetradynamia) in the fyftem -of Linnzeus, contains the fame plantsas you have been accuftomed to call Cruciform; and to recollect that it has the long Greek name from four of the ftamcns b: ing more powerful or longer than the rema'ning two; the aréubifihnee on which Linnæus foutids the character of the clafs ; and which diftin- cuifhes it from the fixth, wherein the fix finaene are of equal length, or at leaft not of that regular, proportional inequality that we difcover in the clafs now before you. * In Letter II. It Lunaria. LETTER XXIII. It will fuffice to examine a few of the genera and {pecies, which are not extremely numerous §, and therefore my prefent letter will not extend to that frightful length that fome of the former have done. THE ORDER SILICULOSA. The St/iculofe or fhort-podded order leads the way, and is fubdivided into two fections ; the firft containing thofe which have the fi- licle entire, and the fecond fuch as have the filicle notched at top. From the firft fubdi- vition I fhall feleét Honefiy for your obfer- vation, becaufe it is common in gardens, and has larger parts than moft of thefe flowers. The Gilicle is oval, entire, quite flat, and ftands on a pedicle ; the valves are equal to the partition, parallel and flat: the leaflets of the calyx are bagged. The brilliant whitenefs of thefe filicles has occafioned this plant to be called White Sattin: and from the fhape of them it is named Lunaria and Moonwort... Linnazus mentions but two {pecies ; the annual” differing from the dzen- nial‘ in having larger flowers of a lighter purple, and the pods longer and narrower: they have both heart- -thaped leaves, indented on their edges, area little hairy, and end i in & The genera are 32, and the fpecies 287. * Lunariaannua Lin. Mill. illuftr. Befl. eyit.7. f.-1. * Lunaria rediviva Lin, Bell. eyft. 7. f. 2. ; acute TETRADYN, SILIC. 321 acute points : the lower ones are on long petioles, but the upper ones fit clofe to the ftalk. 4 Of the fecond fubdivifion is the Candy- Iberis. tuft or Iberis, known by an irregular corolla with the two outer petals larger than the two others. Red Candy-tufi* is an annual herbaceous plant with red flowers growing in a kind of umbel; your gardener fows it in patches about the borders of your flower garden ; it has lance-fhaped leaves drawn to a point: the lower ferrate, the upper ones quite entire: the flowers of this are fome- times white, and then it is confounded with the bitter fpecies', which however has the leaves not {o fharp-pointed, and with only few indentations: the flowers alfo grow in a raceme, and the plant is more branched. In this fubdivifion alfo ranges Scurvy- Cochlea- grafs and Horfe-radi/b, agreeing in a heart-"* ihaped, turgid, rugged filicle, the valves of which are gibbous and obtufe. Oficial or Garden Scurvy-Grafs™ has a branching ftalk ; . the lower leaves roundifhand hollowed next the petiole; the ftem-leaves oblong and fub- finuous : the white flowers are produced in clufters at the ends of the branches. Ezz//h * Iberis umbellata Zin. Riv. tetr. 225. Curt. mag. 106. . 1 Jberis amara Lin. Riv. tetr. 112. Ger. 263. 5. = Cochlearia officinalis Lin. F1. dan, 135. Ger. 40 4 LA à = % Sea 322 LETTER XXIII. Sea Scurvy-Gra/s" has longer leaves, and all of them finuate. Hor/e-radi/h°, which few befides botanifts obferve in flower, has the radical leaves lance-fhaped, and notched about the edges, the ftem-leaves gafhed. THE ORDER SILIQUOSA. The fecond order, containing the Cruc/- form flowers, fucceeded by a f/rque or long pod, is alfo fubdivided into two fections; in the firft of which the leaflets converge at top, in the fecond they gape. Rad/h, Ery/imum, Stock, Wall-fiower, Rocket, Arabis, Cabbage, Turnep, &c. range in the firft fection : oad, Sea-Colewort, Cardamine, Muffard, Char- Raphanus. Jock, Water-Crefs, &c. in the fecond. Ra- difh has a cylindric, jointed, torofe or fwel- ling filique; and one pair of glands between the fhorter ftamens and the piftil, with a fe- cond pair between the longer ftamens and Eryfimum.the calyx. Ery/imumhasa columnar filique with four equal fides. Of this there are fe- veral wild fpecies: as firft, the common?, growing by road fides, well diftinguifhed by its runcinate leaves, and filiques preffed clofe ® Cochlearia anglica Zin. Fl. dan. 329. Ger. 401, 2. ° Cochlearia Armoracia Lin. Mor. hift. f. 3. t. 7. frac Ger Daly is P Eryfimum officinale Zin. Curtis, Lond. V. 50: F1. dan. 560. Ger. 254. 1. to TETRADYN. SILIQUOSA. 323 to the ftalk : fecondly, Winter Cre/s4 with lyrate leaves, theoutmoft lobe roundifh ; and fpikes of yellow flowers, growing by ditch- fides : and thirdly, the garlick-/melling, call- ed thence Sauce-alone, and from the ufual place of its growth, Fack-by-the-hedge', has heart-fhaped leaves: the flowers-are white; but the fmell betrays it at once. __ Stock and Vall-flower have two leaflets of Cheiran- the calyx gibbous at the bafe; the germ thus: has a glandular toothlet on each fide; and the feeds are flat. The two fpecies are thus diftinguifhed. Wa/ll-flower* has acute, fmooth leaves, with angular branches. Stock* has obtufe hoary leaves, with flatted filiques _ truncate at top: both*have fhrubby ftems, and lance-fhaped entire leaves. - The x- nual or Ten-week Stock* differs in having an herbaceous ftalk, the leaves fomewhat _ toothed, the petals notched, and the filiques cylindric and acute at the end. Rock- et’ has the petals obliquely bent ; a gland on each fide within the fhorter ftamens ; the ftigma forked, with the parts converging at top; and the filique {uff and upright. 4 Eryfimum Barbarea Lin. Mor, hift. t. 5. f. 11, 12. Ger. 243. t Eryfimum Alliaria Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 48. Ger. 94- : * Cheiranthus Cheiri Lin. Mor. f. 3. t. 8. f, 15. Ger. 456. ‘ © Cheiranthus incanus Lin. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 458. * Cheiranthus annuus Zin. * Hefperis Lin. Y 2 Sikes 324 LE AUDE RY Eerie Arabis Arabis has four glands, within the leaf- lets of the calyx, like reflex fcales. Some of the fpecies are wild”, and the A/pine - fort* is now common in many gardens: the leaves of this embrace the ftalk, and are toothed about the edges; it bears white Braffica. flowers in loofe corymbs. Cabbage’, Turnep’, Colefeed*, &c. All agree in having the glands difpofed as in the radifh ; the leaflets of the calyx are erect: the claws of the corollas hardly fo long as the calyx; the filique is roundifh, a little flatted on each fide, with the valves fhorter than the partition ; and filled with feveral globofe feeds. Jatis. Of the fecond fection, /Yoad has a lance- fhaped, bivalve, one-celled filique, con- taining one feed only, and deciduous; the valves are boat-fhaped. The fpecies culti- vated for dying’, has the radical leaves notched and petiolate ; the ftem-leaves fa- gittate or fhaped like the head of an arrow, and embracing the ftalk ; and oblong filicles. It isa large plant, with corymbs of {mall Crambe. yellow flowers. Sea-Colewort has a globofe filique, or rather dry berry, which is deci- duous, and contains one feed ; but its moft " Arabis thaliana, Curtis, Lond. IT. 49. ftriéta, Tur- rita Lin. Jacq. auftr. t. 11. but the laft has glands as in _ Braffica. “®" x Arabis alpina Lim. FI. dan. 62. ÿ Braffica oleracea Lin. 2 Braffica Rapa Lin. 2 Br. Napus Lin. b Jfatis tinctoria Lin. Blackw. 246. Mor. hift. f. 3. t. 15.) f. 10, 11. Ge. 491. 4 remarkable TETRADYN. SILIQ. remarkable character is, that the four long jlaments are forked at the end, and the anthers are borne on the outer foes. Our {pecies has the ftalk and leaves {mooth. Cardamine, Cuckow-flower or Lady’ s Smock, (forgive the vulgar name) has the calyx gaping a little: hee glands, one on each fide, between the thantes ftamens and the calyx; and an elaftic filique, the valves rolling back with force when the feeds are mature, and thus throwing them off to fome diftance. There are many fpecies wild, but that which is common in moift meadows, and on the banks of brooks 4, has pinnate leaves, the folioles on the radi- cal leaves roundifh, on the ftem-leaves lance-fhaped. The allufions to the white- nefs of the corollas will not always hold, fince in fome countries they are purple. Mufiard has the claws of the corollas ftraight, and the glands as in the Cabbage genus, to which it is very nearly allied ; differing from it only in the circumftance firft mentioned, and in having the leaflets of the calyx fpreading : the filigue indeed is different ; being torofe and rough, with the partition ufually very long; but this is re- ferved for the fpecific diftin@ion. The wild fpecies, a weed fo common among corn, © Crambe maritima Lin. Fl, dan. 316. Ger. 315. 15. ¢ Cardamine pratenfis Zim. Curtis, Lond. HII. 4a. Ger. 259. 1, 2. 4673 and FES Carda- mine. Sinapis. 326 Sifymbri- um. LETTER XXII. and generally called Charlock*, has many angled, torofe, fmooth filiques, longer than the two-edged beak. Black or common Mufiard® has fmooth filiques prefled to the raceme, or common bunch of the fruétifica- tion. White Muflards has the filiques hif- pid, terminated by a very long, oblique, {word-fhaped beak. If you fuffer fome of the plants which your gardener fows for {mall fallad to grow up and flower, you will find it to be the laft named fpecies. Com- mon Muftard is a much larger plant, grow- ing four or five feet high; the lower leaves large and rough, like thofe of the Turnep. Charlock does not grow more than two feet in height ; the leaves, which are alfo rough, are fometimes jagged, and fometimes entire. Water-Crefj is of a numerous genus, there being twenty-nine fpecies of Si/ym- brium. The corolla is fpreading as well as the calyx in this genus; and the filique gapes with ftraightifh valves. The fpecific characters of Water Cre/s® are, fhort, de- clining filiques, and pinnate leaves, with the lobes a little heart-fhaped. The flowers are € Sinapis arvenfis Lin. Curtis, Lond. V. 47. Fl. dan. 753. Mor. hift. f. 3. t. 3. f. 7. Ger. 233. 2. f Sinapis nigra Lin. Blackw. t. 446. £ Sinapis alba Lin. Curtis, Lond. V. 46. Blackw. 20. Ger. DAA. 4. b Sifymbrium Nafturtium Zin. Curtis, Lond. II. 61. Fl. dan. 690. Ger. 257. 1. and pl. 21. white, TETRADYN SIL IQ. white, and grow in a corymb'. There is another fpecies, called Fxweed*, not un- common on dunghills, where rubbifh is thrown out, by way-fides, and in unculti- vated places: this has decompound pinnate . leaves, and very {mall corollas, the petals being lefs than the calyx: the filique is very long and flender, filled with fmall, roundifh feeds: the leaves are as finely cut as Roman Wormwood; and the {mall yellow flowers are produced on loofe corymbs, at the top of the ftalks. The feafon, dear coufin, is now in its wane, and a journey 1 muft make on affairs of bufinefs, obliges me to leave the comple- tion of my plan to another fummer. If leifure and health are then granted me, I fhall with pleafure refume the employment which you honour with your attention. In the mean time you and your fair daugh- ter have enough to amufe you for the au- tumn, and even till winter confines you to the arrangement of your fummer’s la- bours within. ; i See more in Letter XVII. k Sifymbrium Sophia Lin. F1. dan. 528. Ger. 1068. Ya LETTER Oo “I CR LETTE RC XXI, THE CLASS MONADELPHIA. June the 1ft, 1776, OME neceffary occupations, dear cou- fin, have prevented me from refuming my pleafing tafk fo foon as I had withed. But the fpring has not been unprofitably employed by you, in the examination of {uch plants as were paft flowering, before you received my former letters. You have done well by marking in your pocket-book the names of all thofe which have either wholly efcaped your fearch, or have pre- fented themfelves to you in a ftate unfit for complete examination. You are not fo un- reafonable as to expe& that all Nature fhould be open to your view at once. On the con- trary, I am charmed with your patience and affiduity in awaiting the proper fea- fons of flowering and fruiting; marking the times w hich authors haye fet down ; : and repeating your examinations in order to view plants in their different ftates, when they fometimes put on appearances fo dif- ferent, that to a lefs informed eye they might feem to be diftiné& fpecies. We are now arrived at a clafs, of which you have had no previous information in the introductory letters, defigned to give you MONADELPHI A. you a general knowledge of the moft natu- ral. The clafs Monadelphia however is a natural, as well as a moft beautiful one. The union of the filaments at bottom into one body, or brotherhood as it were, is the leading character, and the occafion of the name. You will recollect that hitherto the ftamens have been ever free and diftiné from each other, how many foever you may have found in a fingle flower; you will alfo recolleét having been informed, that in the fixteenth and fucceeding clafles, they are united, either at top or bottom, into one body or more. In this, as I ob- ferved before, the filaments all join below, next the receptacle, fome higher than others; all of them, together with the an- thers, being ftill entirely feparate at top. If then you have met with a plant which has five, ten, or efpecially many ftamens, and you have not been able to aflign it a place in the fifth, tenth, or thirteenth clafies, examine it a little more attentively, and confider whether it has not a peculiar port or ftruéture, announcing it to be a na- tural tribe. It may perhaps have a perma- nent calyx; but if it 1s alfo double you may be almoft certain that it ranges here. The corolla of your flower may perhaps have five heart-fhaped petals, the fide of one embracing or at leait touching that which is next to it, in a direction contrary to the fun’s apparent motion. The filaments per- haps, 329 330 LETTER XXIV. haps, connected at bottom only, whether flightly, or for a confiderable portion of their lengths, are gradually fhorter as they recede from the middle; and the anthers are in- cumbent, or lie along over the top of them. You find the receptacle of the fructification prominent in the centre of the flower; the top of this receptacle furrounded by ere germs forming a jointed ring: all the ftyles united below into one body with the recep- tacle; but diftinguifhed at top into as many filaments as there are germs: thefe germs becoming a capfule confifting of as many cells as there are piftils in the flower: and frequently confifting of as many connected Arils. In each of thefe cells lurks a kid- ney-fhaped feed. If you have not already divined this rid- dle, take the flower of a wild Mallow, an Althza, Lavatera, or other plant refem- bling thefe; examine it by the characters jutt ‘laid down, and you will have a perfeét idea of the clafs Monadelphia. From the circumftance of the receptacle ftanding up in the middle of the flower, like a column, thefe have alfo the name of co/umniferous plants. The orders are five, taken from the num- ber of the ftamens, which you remember determined the clafs in the firft thirteen clafies; but being now no longer ufed for that purpofe, may ferve very well for the other, The MONADELPHIA. 331 The fruit was formerly taken for difcri- painating the genera. This being found infufficient, fucceeding nomenclators had recourfe to the leaves; but Linnæus has, for this purpofe, wifely adopted the calyx, which is always prefent, and is remarkable for its ftructure in this clafs The illuf- trious Swede has ever fhown great fagacity in feizing that part of the plant which is moft conftant, and furnifhes the greateft choice of permanent variations, whereon to found the effential characters af his genera and {pecies '. THE QRDERS PENTANDRIA AND DECANDRIA. Not having taken the piftil for the dif- tinétion of the orders, that part remains to affift us in chara@terifins the genera. Ac- cordingly in the firft order of this clafs, in which fhe flowers have five ftamens, two genera have one, and two have five ftyles ; the number of cells in the capfules ferves to complete the generic character. Thus Hermannia has five “ftyles, and a five- Herman- celled capfule; to which we may add that ris. the five petals of the corolla are rolled {pi- rally in a direction contrary to the fun’s ap- parent motion; and that their claws have 1 Genera 35, and fpecies 256, in this clafs. a little Os» Us ty Gera- nium, LETTER -—XRLVS alittle membrane on each fide uniting to ia D form a cowled tube... Though there are. many fpecies of this genus, yet perhaps none of them may offer themfelves to your view. We will proceed therefore to a fa-. vourite genus, that ranges in the fecond order, or that which has ten ftamens: I mean Geranium, which, out of its eighty- two fpecies; will favnath you ample matter for examination, efpecially as I know you cultivate fo many of them. Before you ‘de- termine the circumftances in which they differ, let us fee in what they all agree; this is in having one ftyle terminated by five ftromeas; and a fruit compofed of five grains, “ade beaked; whence its names of Gr um and Crane/i bill. We may add that the calyx is fingle and five-leaved, as well as the co- rolla; that the filaments are alternately Jonger and fhorter, but all fhorter than the corolla ; and very flightly connected in thole which have a regular corolla; that the ftyle is longer than the ftamens, and per manent ; and that each of the five feeds is terminated by a tail or awn, affifting to form the beak, ind which when os ae 1s ripe becomes fpiral, and thus detaches the feed from the plant. The African race of which we have fo many from the Cape of Good Hope, have the five parts of the calyx united at bottom ; the petals unequal; at nd feven only of the Pt nents furnifhed with anthers ; the MONADELPH. DECAND. the flowers grow many together in a kind of umbel; the feeds are Ha with a fea- thered awn, and the leaves grow alternate upon the ftalk, which is fhrubby. In this firft feétion you find, among many others, the Fulgid”, with a flefhy ftem, putting out but few branches; the leaves three-parted and gafhed, the middle fegment much larger than the others; fre- quently falling off, fo as to give the ftalks an appearance of being dead during the fum- mer; the flowers are produced on fhort footftalks, in a fort of double umbel, each fuftaining but two or three flowers, re- markable for their deep fhining fcarlet colour. The well known Scarlet”, which would be at leaft as much efteemed as the Fuleid, Were it not more common. ‘The leaves are almoft orbicular, except that they are hollowed next the petiole; they are notched about the edge, but not gafhed or lobed; their furface is downy; and they ftain the fingers if handled roughly, whence the tri- tal name of mguimans or ftaining. ‘This is a much loftier plant than the latt, growing as high as eight or ten feet; and tends out abundance of erect branches: the flowers in the umbels are numerous, and are pro- duced on very long peduncles. ™ Geranium fulgidum Lin. Dill. elth. t. ree 137. " Geranium inquinans Zin. Mill. iliuftr. Dill. elth. t. 125. f. 151, 151. Mart. cent. 3. The C25 334 LETTER XXIV. The Papilionaceous°’, fo called, becaufe the corollas have fomething the appearance of butterfly or pea-blofiom flowers, the two upper petals, which are large, turning up like the banner or ftandard in thofe flow- ers; thefe are finely variegated, but the three under petals being reflex and {mall are fcarcely obferved, but on a near infpections; the flowers are many in each umbel: the leaves are large, angular, rough, and ftand on long petioles. The Ho/low-leaved? has roundifh leaves contracted on the fides fo as to ftand hol- low ; the edges are fharply indented; the flowers are large, and produced in large loofe umbels; the corollas are purple: it is a plant of large ftature, and very hairy. There is another fort, or variety, very like this; but it has leaves of a thicker fub- ftance, and divided into feveral acute an- gles: the branches are not fo irregular, and the bunches of flowers are not fo large. The Horfe-fhoe is perhaps the fpecies moft commonly known of all the Africans ; the dark or purplifh mark, in fhape of a horfe-fhoe upon the leaves, fhows this Ge- ranium to the eye at firft fight; but it is e Geranium papilionaceum Liz. Dill. elth. t. 128. f. 155. Mart. cent. 15. P Geranium cucullatum Ziz.—cowled. Dill. elth. t. 129. f..156. Mart. cent. 28. 4 Geranium zonale Lin. Comm. præl. 51. t. 1.— See the flower in pl. 22. f, 3. not MONADELPH. DECAND. not abfolutely permanent; for we have va- rieties without it; we muft have recourfe therefore to the form of the leaves, as a more certain diftinétion : they are orbicular, hollowed next the petiole, divided on the circumference into feveral obtufe fesments, each of which is flightly indented. This fort is very branching: the flowers are pro- duced in large, clofe umbels, on long pe- duncles, and vary from a light purple toa high {carlet. The Vine-leaved* has ovate, afcendine pubefcent leaves, having the fmell of Baum, when rubbed; the flowers grow in a clofe head, on long peduncles, rifing much higher than the branches; they are imall, and pale blue. The Rofe-/cented* has alfo lobed leaves, waved and villous ; like the laft, the flowers grow in clofe heads; they are of a purplifh blue: the branches are very irregular and weak: and the whole is weaker and grows taller than the former: the leaves when rubbed {mell like dried rofes. The plants of the fecond feétion have many things in common with thofe of the firft; but differ in being herbaceous, and having the leaves oppofite. Of thefe the Odorous* is remarkable for its powerful fcent, * Geranium vitifolium Zin. Dill. elth. t. 126. f. 153. * Geranium capitatum Lin. Riv. pent. 326. * Geranium odoratifimum Liz. Dill. elth. t. 131. f. 138. fomething 335 SEAT ER EXKRIVE fometbing like Anifeed : this has a very fhort flefhy ftem, with long branches, and heart-fhaped leaves extremely fhort : the flowers are produced from the fide of long proftrate ftalks, upon flender peduncles, three, four, or five together; they are white, and very imall. The Night-/cented* has feffile calyxes, and bifid one-leafed icapes: the leaves are hairy, and almoit as finely divided as the carrot; the ftalks are about a foot high, and have two or three fmaller leaves that are feffile; hence arife two or three naked pe- duncles, terminated by an umbel of yel- lowifh flowers, marked with dark purple {pots, fmelling very {weet after fun-fet. Linnzus has taken his trivial name from the dulnefs of the colour in the flower. The third fection contains fuch Gera- niums as have only five of the ftamens an- ther-bearing; five-leaved calyxes, and fruits hanging down. ‘The corollas of thefe are lefs irregular; ‘and the feeds are naked, terminated by a hairy awn. Of this fection we have fome European fpecies, as Hemlock Cranefbill*, common in {andy foils: this has a branching ftalk, pin- nate leaves, with the fegments gafhed and ebtufe, and many flowers on a peduncle. « Geranium trifte Lin. Com. can. t. 110. Breyn. cent. t. 58. * Geranium cicutarium Lin, Curtis, Lond. I. 51. Ger. 945. 3. y ery MONADELPH. DECANDR. Very like this is Mu/2 Cranefbill", but it is a larger plant, much lefs common, and eafily known by its mufky odour: the di- vifions of the leaves are pinnatifid. Some fpecies * of this fection are remarkable for the largenefs of their beaks, and furnifh a good idea of the name of the genus. In the three remaining fections, all the ten filaments are topped with anthers; the calyxes are five-leaved; the corollas regu- lar; the feeds covered with an arz/, and terminated by a fmooth awn. In the fourth fection, the flowers are conjugate; that is, there are two always on every peduncle: the plants are perennial. Some of the largeft and handfomeft of the European forts range in this fection; as Spotted Cranefoill, with the peduncles and leaves alternate, the calyxes a little awned, the petals waved, and the ftem erect. The leaves are divided into five or fix lobes, la- ciniate on their edges; thofe near the root fit on long petioles, but on the upper part of the ftalk they are feilile. The flowers are of a dark purple. There is a variety of this with light purple corollas. Meadow Crane/bill* has the leaves divided # Geranium mofchatum Zin. Riv. pent. 110. Ger. ne * Geranium arduinum, gruinum, ciconium Lin. ¥ Geranium phæum Lia. Ger. 942. 3. Park. 704. 3. * Geranium pratenfe. Curtis, Lond, IV. 49. Ger. 942. 1. L inte 337 338 LETTER XXIV. into fix or feven lobes, cut into feveral acute fegments; they are wrinkled, and rather peltate; the petals are entire, and of a fine blue. The Geraniums of the fifth fe&tion differ from thofe of the fourth only in being an- nual. Moft of the common European forts are of this divifion : as Herb Robert?, known by its hairy, pointed, ten-angled calyxes. The leaves are doubly pinnate, with the end-lobes confluent; they are generally hairy, the ftalks red, and the whole plant — has a ftrong hircine fmell. Shining Crane/- bill® has the calyxes pyramidal, angled, ele- yated and wrinkled; the leaves rounded and five-lobed; the whole plant is {mooth and fhining ; the ftalks are red. The common Dove’s-foot or foft Cranef- b1/7° has the peduncles and floral leaves al- ternate; the petals bifid or rather obcor- date; the calyxes awnlefs, but ending in a fhort point; and the ftem rather erect. The ftipules are alfo bifid: the leaves are very foft, kidney-fhaped, divided half-way into five or feven parts, and each of thete lobes trifid and blunt. ‘This is very com- mon, efpecially in fandy foils. Another”, * Geranium Robertianum Zin. Curtis, Lond. I. 52. Ger. 939. & 945. 5. Ÿ Geranium lucidum Liz. F1. dan, 218. Mor. t. 15. f, 6.> Park. 707. 0. © Geranium molle Zin. Curtis, Lond. If. 50. FI. dan. 679. ¢ Geranium rotundifolium Liz. Blackw, 58. Vaill. parct. 15. f. 1. Ger. 938, Park. 706. 2. very MONADELPH. DECANDR. very like it in many refpects, but more par- tially diftributed, has entire petals, fcarcely longer than the calyx; and the ftem more proftrate. Long-flalked Cranefhill° has pe- duncles longer than the leaves, which are divided into five multifid lobes acute at the end; the calyxes are awned, and the arils are {mooth. ‘The peduncle is very long, and the lobes of the leaves are doubly trifid. Tagged Crane/bill‘ has the leaves divided into five parts, and each of thofe into three acute fegments ; the petals are of the length of the calyx, and notched, and the arils are villous: this has the leaves more and finer cut than any of the others. Of the laft feétion, with one-flowered peduncles, we have a handfome fort wild, but not common, with orbicular leaves, divided into five or feven parts, and each of thofe into three: the flowers itand on long hairy peduncles, the corollas are large, and of a deep purple. Many more fpecies are known to the curious"; but I have only feleéted fuch as the fields, the garden, and your little confervatory, are moft likely to afford. ¢ Geranium Columbinum Zin, Vaill. par. t. 15. f. 4. Petiv. 64. 8. f Geranium difletum Zin. Vaill. par. t. 15. f. 2. Petiv. 64. 6. € Geranium fanguineum Lin. Bloody Cranefbill, Ger. 945. 2. Petiv. 64. 9. * See fome figured in Curtis’s Magazine, n. 18, 20, 55> 50) 95) 103, 136. 4 ZL 2 Lei Phe 3 2 9 Brownea, LETTER XXIV. I have mentioned that Linnæus has fub- divided this unwieldy genus from the num- ber of effective Resins. A celebrated mo- dern author has, from this circumftance, made three diftinét genera out of this one. 1. Erodium, containing the Myrrhina of Linnæus, or the Geraniums with five per- fect ftamens only. 2. Pelargonium, com- prehending the Africana of Linneus, or iuch as have feven perfect ftamens. 3. Ge- ranium, taking in the remaining fpecies, which anfwer exaétly to the charatter of the order in having all the ten ftamens with anthers, and which Linneus had called Batrachia. Rivinus long fince feparated this natural genus into two, from the re- gularity or irregularity of the corolla. I fhall not difpute whether all this be right or not. It is my defign to explain the fy{- tem of the illuftrious Swede as he left it. In this clafs we find a fingular plant, which has naturally eleven ftamens ; a num- ber which you did not find among the claffes, Having the Monadelphic che it here forms ehh order Endecandria, and ftands alone. Being a plant little known, I init no longer on th The laft order Polyandria is much the moft confiderable in number of genera and fpecies. You have here Silk-Cotion K, the *Brownea coccinea Lin. k Bombax mee rue MONADELPH. POLY ANDR, True Cotton', fo much ufed in our manu- factures, the numerous genus of Szdz or Indian Mallow, Althea or Mar/b- Mallow, Alcea or Hollyhock, Mallow, Lavatera, Hibifeus, &c. The two firft, with Sida and Hibifcus, have one piftil only; the reft have many. Sida and Bombax have a fingle calyx, but all the others have it double. The exterior calyx in Cotton and Lavatera is trifid; in Mallow confifts of three leaflets ; in Alcea is fexfid; in Hibifcus octofid; in Althea novemfid. Lavatera, Mallow, Al- cea and Althzea, agree in having many feeds in a ring round a column, eae covered with its proper aril. The feed-vefiel of Hibifcus is a capfule compofed of united cells including many feeds. 341 The officinal fpecies of Marfh-Mallow Althza. is known by its fimple downy leaves, hoary to the fight, and very foft to the touch; they are angular, but not divided to the bottom, and therefore fimple. ‘The flow- ers are like thofe of the Mallow, but {maller and paler. Of Mallow there are many fpecies : that Malva, which is fo very common", has an ereét herbaceous ftem; five or feven-lobed acute leaves with both petioles and peduncles ! Goflypium Lin, ™ Althza officinalis Lin. FI], dan. 530. Mor. hift. f. 5. t. 19. f. 12. Ger. 933. 1. Park. 304. 1.—PI. Aou CAE " Malva fylveftris Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 51. Ger. 080..1. PL 22. f. 2. F3 hairy. Alcea. LETTER XXIV. hairy. Dwarf Mallow® has a proftrate ftem; orbiculate leaves hollowed next the petiole, obfcurely five-lobed; the fruit- bearing peduncles declining. This is every way a fmaller plant. Vervain Mallow ® has an erect item, rough with fpreading hairs in bunches, many-parted roughifh leaves, the lobes of which are obtufe and indented; the flowers large, and light purple. Ano- ther wild fpecies called Mu/k Mallow 4, is very like this, but has the radical leaves kidney-form and gafhed; the: ftem-leaves five-parted, and the divifions finely cut into narrow fegments: the flowers havea mufky fmell, and the ftem has fingle ere& hairs fitting on a prominent point. Cape Mal- Jow* has an arborefcent {tem ten or twelve feet high, and the leaves five-lobed and hol- lowed at the bafe. The whole plant is hairy, and thefe hairs exude a vifcid aro- matic juice. The flowers are deep red, and fmaller than thofe of the common Mal- low. ‘The trivial name informs us of its country, and confequently that it ftands in need of protection from you. The gigantic, the gaudy Hol/yhock is of the genus Alcea: there are many varieties ° Malva rotundifolia Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 43, Fl. dan. 721. Ger. 930. 2. Park. 299. 1. P Malva Alcea Lin. Blackw. 309. 4 Malva mofchata Lin. Curtis, Lond. IV. 50. Mor. hift, {..5.t. 186.24, * Malva capenfis Zen. Dill. elth. t, 169. f. 206. with MONADELPH, POLYANDR. 343 with double flowers, and different colours, as white, red of all hues from pale carna- tion to almoft black, and yellows of dif- ferent fhades; but there are only two fpe- cies*, the firft having roundifh leaves, cut at the extremity only into angles; the fecond palmate, cut deeply into fix or feven feg- ments, like the fig-leaf. Of the firft there 1s a dwarf variety witli variegated flowers, much efteemed, and called Chinefe Aollyhock. The fhrub vulgarly named A/thea Fru- Hibiteus, tex is an Hibifcus; a very numerous genus, comprehending no lefs than thirty-fix fpe- cies, moft of them inhabitants of either In- dia, and not generally known here. The Althea Frutex* however is a native of Sy- ria, and bears the rigour of our climate, though it is very late ere it produces its flowers. ‘The fpecific characters are, an arboreous or woody ftem, and wedge-fhaped leaves, divided at top into three lobes, and ftanding on fhort petioles. The flowers are bell-fhaped, and of various colours— pale or bright purple with dark bottoms, white with purple bottoms, variegated with dark bottoms, and yellow with the fame: thefe flowers being large, gay, and nume- rous, make a handfome appearance, and give the completeft idea of the claffical ee acter. China Rofe alfo, notwithftanding its name, * Alcea rofea Mill. illuftr.—& ficifolia Lin. * Hibifcus fyriacus Lin. Curt. Magaz, 83. Z 4 is 44 LETTER: XxIV. is no Rofe, but an Hwi/cus*, with a woody ftem, and ovate, fharp-pointed leaves, fer- rate about the edges; the colour, fize, and appearance of the flowers, when they are double, gave occafion to the name of Rofe: they frequently appear on Chinefe paintings and paper, and are certainly very ornamen- tal. The Mufk plant of the Weft Indies is another fpecies of Hibifcus; its kidney- fhaped feeds have a very ftrong {mell of mufk. The bark of fome fpecies is formed of fibres ftrong enough for cordage. One of them is cultivated in the Weft Indies for its pods, which they put into their foups*. But all this we have nothing to do with as botanifts. " Hibifcus Rofa Sinenfis Liz, Rheed. mal. 2. t. 17. * Hibifcus Abelmofchus Lin. Mer. Surin. t. 42. # Hibifcus vitifolius & Sabdariffa Lin. * Hibifcus efculentus Lin. Sloan. jam, 1. t. 133. f 3. LETTER QE TES, LETTER XV. THE CLASSES DIADELPHIA AND POLYADELPHIA. June the 4th, 1776. FTER a fhort excurfion, we are re- turned, dear coufin, among your old acquaintance ; and you have only to apply to the term Dradelphia, which is the name of the feventeenth clafs in Linnæus’s fyf- tem, all the knowledge you firft acquired from the letter on Papilionaceous flowers ’, and which you have fince increafed fo much by your obfervation and experience. You have admired the fingularly admirable and beautiful ftru€ture of thefe flowers, in which all the plants of this clafs agree: you will now not be difpleafed to accompany me in an enquiry into their generic and fpe- cific differences. The number of genera in this clafs is 57, of fpecies 695. The or- ders are four, taken from the number of ftamens, which in the firft order is five, in the fecond fix, in the third eight, and in the fourth ten. In the order Pentandria however there is only one genus; in the order Hexandria two; and in the order Oc- Y Letter III, : tandria 346 Fumaria. Polygala. RETT ERs RIVE tandria three; fo that you perceive the laft (Decandria) abforbs the far greater part of the clafs; and what you. have, learnt of Papilionaceous flowers belongs indeed prin- cipally to this order. Of the three firit or- ders there are only two genera, which you will have an opportunity of obferving ; and we will begin if you pleafe with them. Fumitory has two filaments, each of them terminated by three anthers; it has claflical character therefore, and muft be of the order Hexandria. This genus has, be- fides this, a two-leaved calyx, a ringent rather than a papilionaceous corolla, the upper lip- however anfwering to the banner, the lower lip to the keel, and the bifid chaps to the wings: the bafe of each lip is prominent, but the upper one the moft; and one filament is inclofed in each. Com- mon Funutory* which you will readily meet with as a weed in your kitchen garden, is known by a weak, diffufe, branching ftem, multifid leaves dividing into three, and the lobes trifid: the flowers growing in a ra- ceme, and each being fucceeded by a round or rather obcordate one-feeded pericarp. Milkwort has eight filaments, each ter- minated with an anther, and all united at bottom: it appertains therefore to the or- der Oéfandria of this clafs. The characters of the genus are, a five-leaved calyx, with 3 Fumaria officinalis Zin. Curtis, Lond. II. 52- Ger. 1088. 1. Park. 287. r. | 5 two DIADELPH. OCTANDR. two of the leaflets like the wings of the pa- pilionaceous flower, and coloured : the ban- ner of the corolla is cylindric; the legume is obcordate, or inverfe-hearted, and two- celled. Many of the fpecies have a beard, creft, or pencil-formed appendage to the keel; thofe which have none are called beardlefs : and hence a commodious fubdi- vifion of this large genus; the laft are fub- divided into fhrubby aed herbaceous; the herbaceous again into fimple and branched. Of thirty-eight {pecies we have only one wild, and that is common on dry pattures and heaths?: it is of the crefted divifion, and bears the flowers in a raceme; the ftem is herbaceous, fimple, and procum- bent, and the leaves are linear. This is a lowly plant, with pretty flowers, blue, red or white. There is a beautiful fpecies ? in the green-houfe, from the Cape, with a fhrubby {tem ; oblong, {mooth leaves, blunt at the end; id bandeau flowers, large, white on the outfide, but bright purple within; the keel crefted, and fhaped like a half moon. Serega° root, fo famous among the American Indians as an antidote to the bite of the rattle-fnake, is from a acta of this genus. The plants of the order we are now to + Polygala vulgaris Lin. F1. dan. 516. Ger. 564. 5. Park. 122212. b As myrtifolia Zin. Mill. illuftr. © Polygala Senega Lin, Mill. Dia. examine 348 LET TE RY EXYV!) examine are obvious, not only by their pa- pilionaceous flowers, but by their compound leaves, which in the greater part are pin- nate, winged, or feathered, but in others trifoliate*. In fome genera the pinnate leaves have the leaflets in pairs only‘, but it is more common to have them terminate in an odd one’. Many of this pulfe tribe have ftems too weak to fuftain themfelves, they fly therefore to fome ftronger plant or other prop for fupport, and they are furnifhed with the neceflary means of help- ing themfelves, either by twining their {talks about and embracing their friend §, or elfe by throwing out flender threads, like the vine, called c/a/pers or tendrils, by which they lay faft hold *. Mott of thefe plants having fruits that are efculent either to us, to quadrupeds or to birds, produce flowers in great abundance, and clofe bunches; in fome of the genera they grow in a kind of umbel’, much like As in Trifolium or Trefoil, which has its name from this circumftance, Lotus, Medicago, Erythrina, Genifta or Broom, Cytifus, Ononis, Trigonella, Phafeo- lus or Kidney Bean, Dolichos and Clitoria. * Orobus, Pifum or Pea, Lathyrus or Everlafting Pea, Vicia or Vetch, Ervum and Arachis. f Biferrula, Aftragalus, Phaca, Hedyfarum, Glycyr- riza or Liquorice, Indigofera or Indigo, Galega, Co- lutea, Amorpha and Pifcidia. 8 Phafeolus, Dolichos, Clitoria, Glycine. * Pifum, Lathyrus, Vicia, Ervum. ‘ Lotus, Coronilla, Ornithopus, Hippocrepis, Scor- piurus. thofe DIADELPH. DECANDR. thofe of the fecond order of the fifth clafs. I mention thefe circumftances, not as claf- fical characters, but as leading features that may give you a fhrewd fufpicion, rather than a certain affurance. When you find a plant endued with fome of thefe fubordi- nate characters, you, I am certain, will not determine it at once upon them: no, they will only lead you to a more ftrict ex- amination. Neither pinnate or trifoliate leaves, weak twining or climbing ftems, nor even papilionaceous flowers, will fatisfy your difcerning eye, till you have feen the union of the filaments at bottom. If you can procure any fpecies of Sophora*, you will be convinced of this; for without fuch caution you would infallibly have been mifled; this genus agreeing with the pulfe tribe in every refpect, except in having the ten filaments diftinét. The proper character of this clafs, you know, is to have the filaments in two dif- tinct bodies; and the character of the order Decandria is to have nine filaments united at bottom into a membrane furrounding the germ, and the tenth fingle, filling up the opening which is left for the germ to dit- engage itfelf, when it has arrived at a {tate proper to pafs into a pod or legume. I mutt advertife you however that this is not ftrictly * A genus of the clafs Decandria and the order Momo. gynia. Anagyris, Cercis, &c. have alfo the fame ap- pearance. true 349 Spartium. Ef UT ER SV. true of all the genera; there are no fewer than eighteen out of fifty, which have all the ten filaments connected, fo that the germ cannot grow into a legume without tearing Het the Mi bn ch formed of the flaments: You muft not therefore be de- terred from fetting down a plant as of the Pulfe tribe, and of the clafs Diadelphia, when you find the ten filaments united into one, inclofed within a papilionaceous flower, and furnifhed with the other marks of the clafs. Of thofe which anfwer regularly to the claffical character, fome have a pubef- cent figma’, and the reft are diftinguifhed by their legumes, as we fhall now fee ; ; for we are going to examine their difiih Give marks more narrowly. You will obferve in this clafs fome trees, and many fhrubs, with papilionaceous flow- ers, as Common ™ and Spani/hb” Broom; both of a genus in which the ten filaments are all united, and form a membrane adhering clofe to the germ: the ftigma grows along the upper fide of the top of the ftyle, and is villous; the calyx is continued down- wards, and is marked beneath with five little notches at the tip. Spani/h Broom, with fome other fpecies, has fimple leaves, in the reft they are ternate, trefoil, or three- ! Colutea, Phafeolus, Dolichos, Orobus, Pifum, Lathyrus, Vicia. m Spartium fcoparium Zin, Curt. Lond. V. 52. FI. dan. 313. Blackw. 244. Ger. 1311.1. Park. 229. 1. 8 Spartium junceum Lin, Curt. Magaz. 85. leaved. DIADELPH. DECANDR. leaved.. In Common Broom however there is a mixture of both. In the firft alfo the Jeaves are lance-fhaped, and the rufh-like branches are oppofite, round, and produce the flowers from the top, in a loofe fpike. In the fecond the branches are angular, and the flowers come out fingly for a confider- able length towards the top. ‘They are large, and of a bright yellow in both fpe- cies. There is alfo a Spanifh Broom with a white flower®; which has leaves like the other, but the branches ftriated, and the - flowers in fhort fpikes or clufters on the fides of them; they are fucceeded by large oval pods containing one feed, whence the trivial name. Portugal Brooms with trifo- liate leaves and yellow flowers, differing little from ours: and a fort with prickly branches, thence called Prickly Cytifus?. 287 We have fome wild fhrubs of an hum- Genitta. bler growth, fomewhat refembling thete, but of another genus called Gemjia; the characters of which are a two-lipped calyx, the upper lip two-toothed, the lower three- toothed ; the banner of the corolla oblong and turning downwards from the piftils and ftamens; the piftil deprefing the keel, and the ftigma involute. Dyer’s weed, called al{o Vood-waxen and Ba/e Broom*, which ° Spartium monofpermum Zin, P Spartium fpinofum Lin. a Genifta tinétoria Lin. Fl. dan. 526. Ger. 1316. 1, Park. 229. 7. 32 Ulex, Ononis. L'ÉTTER Sey: grows in paftures and headlands, has fmooth lance-fhaped leaves, and erect, round, ftreaked branches. Needle Furze or Petty Whin*, which you will find wild on heaths, has {mall lance-fhaped leaves, flen- der branches armed with long, fimple {pines; the flower branches are fhort, have no fpines, and have five or fix flowers in a clufter at the end of them: the colour of the corolla in both fpecies is yellow; and you would at firft fuppofe that the former was a Spartium, and the latter a Furze, or of the genus Ulex ; which however differs from both in having a two-leaved calyx, with the legume fo fhort as fcarcely to emerge from it. We have only one fpecies, than which nothing, as you know, is more common on all our heaths: it has the three different names of Fur/e, Gorfe and Wins‘, in different parts of the kingdom. Reftharrows are a lowly kind of fhrubs, or rather underfhrubs, with purple flowers, growing on commons, barren paftures, and headlands of corn-fields; they have the name from the ftrength and matting of the roots, which circumftance has induced the Dutch to fow them on their fea-banks. The cylinder of filaments is quite entire at bottom, without any fiflure, in this genus ; * Genifta anglica Lin. F1. dan. 619. Ger. 1320. 4. Park. 1004. 4. * Ulex europæus Lin. FI. dan. 608. Ger. 1319. 1 Park. 1004. 1. the DIADELPH. DECANDR. 35 the calyx is parted into five linear drvifions ; the banner of the corolla is ftriated; and the legume, a fection of which is a rhomb, is turgid and feflile. We have two forts, one‘ with prickly fmooth branches, and the flowers in a raceme, but coming out fingly: the other" with villous leaves and branches, but without {pines ; the flowers in a raceme, but generally two together; both have ter- nate leaves, except that towards the top they are fimple. In Anthylhs the calyx is turgid, and in- Anthyllis. cludes the lesume, which is {mall and roundifh, containing one, or at moft two feeds. ‘The only fpecies we have wild is herbaceous, is called Lades-Finger or Kid- ney-Vetch*, and is not uncommon in chalky paftures ; it has unequally pinnate leaves, and a double head of yellow flowers, but this latter character is not conftant. The leaves are pubefcent, and confift of three or four pair of leaflets; except two under the umbel, which are digitate. There are feveral flowering-fhrubs of this genus; as that which is generally called Fupiter’s beard or Silver bufh™, from the fplendid whitenefs of the leaves, which is owing to a fine nap 2 3 .* Ononis fpinofa Hudfni. Common, fmooth, or prickly Reftharrow. Blackw. t. 301. Ger. 1322. I. _ "Qhnonis inermis Hudfoni. Hairy Reftharrow. Ger. 1392.62: Y Anthyllis Vulneraria Zin. Rivin. t. 18. Ger. 1240. I. * Anthyllis Barba Jovis Lin. Mill. fic. t. 41. £, 2. fo a or Lupinus. LETTER: XV: or down that covers them; they are equally pinnate: the flowers are produced at the extremity of the branches, in {mall heads, and are yellow. Lupins, which are fo well known in the flower-garden, agree in a two-lipped ca- lyx, in having five of the anthers round, and five oblong, and in the fhell of the le- gume being coriaceous or leathery. ‘The common wife * fort, which is cultivated as a pulfe in moft of the fouthern parts of Europe, has the flowers growing alternate, without appendages; the upper lip of the white corolla is entire, the lower three- toothed : the feeds are orbiculate and flatted. There are three forts with blue flowers: the Perennial’, which is the only one that is not annual, with alternate, unappendaged flowers; the upper lip of the corolla notch- ed, the lower one entire. This is an Ame- rican plant: the digitate leaves are com- pofed of ten or eleven leaflets, whereas thofe of the former have no more than feven or eight: the flowers grow in long loofe ipikes, and are pale blue. The great blue”, with alternate appendaged flowers; the upper-lip two-parted, the lower three- toothed. This has a ftrong ftem, covered with a foft brownifh down; the leaves have nine, ten, or eleven hairy, fpatulate leaf- * Lupinus albus Zin. Riv. tetr. Blackw. 282. Y Lupinus perennis Zz. Mill. fig. 170. 1. 2 Lupinus hirfutus Liz. lets : DIADELPH. DECANDR. lets: the flowers are in whorls, forming a fort of fpike; they are large, and of a beautiful blue: the pods are very large, and have three roundifh compreffed feeds, very rough and of a purplifh brown. Nar- row-leavéd or tall blue Lupin *, has the flow- ers alternate and appendaged or peduncu- late; the upper lip of the corolla two- parted, the lower three-toothed : the lobes of the leaves are linear. - The Varied * is not very different in appearance from this : the flowers grow in half whorls, and are appendaged ; the upper lip is bifid, and the lower flightly three-toothed: the corollas are licht blue or purple. It is fhorter than the laft; the leayes have fewer leaflets, and ftand on fhorter petioles. The Harry‘ has the flowers in whorls and appendaged, with the upper lip two-parted, like the Great Blue Lupin; which it much refembles in ftature and appearance; but the corollas are flefh-coloured with the middle of the banner red, the lower lip is entire; the plant is hairy all over, and the leaves are lance-fhaped, and a little obtufe at the end. The Yellow * is efteemed for the fweetnefs of its flowers: they grow in whorls and on peduncles; the upper lip of the corolla is two-parted, the lower three-toothed. Thus 3 Lupinus anguftifolius Lin. Riv. tetr. ® Lupinus varius Lin. © Lupinus pilofus Lin. * Lupinus luteus Li». Riv. tetr. Aaz have aes Phafeo- lus, Lathyrus. L'EIT TE Roo XKV. have you a hiftory of the whole genus of Lupin; for thefe are all the fpecies hitherto known: and as you may eafily have them growing together, you may compare them at leifure, and afcertain all their agreements and differences: could we do this in every genus, how clearly might we diftinguifh the fpecies! but remember that culture may. produce ficutious characters, which miflead unwary botanifts. In all the genera hitherto examined, the filaments have made one body at bottom ; in the reft, which I fhall now offer to your confideration, nine only are united, and the tenth is free, according to the proper cha- racter of the clafs We will begin with fome genera, diftinguifhed (as I mentioned before) by a pubeicent ftigma. Pha/eolus or Kidney Bean, in having the keel with the ftamens and ftyle fpirally twifted, pof- fefles one obvious character, that difcrimi- nates it fufficiently from all its congeners. Some of the fpecies have an outer calyx, confifting of two roundifh leaflets, which may more properly be called braces. La- thyrus ot Everlaffing Pea has a flat ftyle, villous above, growing broader upwards: in this it ditters from the Pea, which has a triangular ftyle keeled above : both genera have the two upper divifions of the calyx fhorter than the other three, and, in other re{pects, are very nearly allied. Some fpe- cies of Lathyrus have one flower only on a peduncle : DIADELPH. DECANDR. peduncle: of thefe we have two wild ones; one with yellow flowers, fupporting itfelf among the corn by leaflefs tendrils, and having broad ftipules fhaped like the head of an arrow: the other with crimfon flow- ers, long narrow leaves difficult to be dif- tinouifhed from the grafs among which it crows, and fmall, fabulate- or awied’ G2 pules. The firft is called Yellow Vetchling ‘; the fecond, Crimfon Grafs Vetch*. Sweet Scented Pea®, with fome few others, has two flowers on every peduncle; each tendril has a pair of oblong ovate leaves, and the legumes are rough. The banner of the corolla is dark purple, the keel and wings light blue ; but there are varieties; one all white, and another with a pink banner, wings of a pale blufh, and a white keel ; this 1s called Paimted Lady Pea. Tangier Pea", another of the d:forous fection, has the two leaves alternate, lance-fhaped and fmooth ; the ftipules fhaped like a crefcent. The flowers grow on fhort peduncles ; have a purple banner, with wings and keel of a bright red, and are fucceeded by long *Lathyrus Aphaca Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 43. Curtis, Lond. V.'51. Ger. 1250. Park. 1067. fLathyrus Niffolia Lin. Ger. 1249. 2. Park. 1079+ 4. ® Lathyrus odoratus Liz. Curtis magaz. 60. à Lathyrus tingitanus Liz, Jacq. hort. t. 46. Curt. magaz. 100. A a3 jointed “I 358 Vicia. LETTER XXV. jointed pods. Everlafting Pea‘ is of the la{t divifion, having many flowers produced on one peduncle: “this has alfo conjugate leaves, that is, growing in pairs, furnifhed with a tendril or clafper ; the form of the leaves is elliptic or oval; and the ftems, which climb very high, have membranace- ous wings on each fle between the joints ; ; the flowers are red. ‘There is a variety of this in the gardens, with broader leaves, larger and deeper coloured flowers. There is another fort not very different from this *, having fword-fhaped leaves; and a third’, growing in woods, bogs, and wet mea- daws, which has many-leaved tendrils, and lance-fhaped ftipules: the leaflets are fix; and there are from three to fix flowers on each peduncle; the corolla is blue, with the greateft part of the wings and keel white. One {pecies of this Con , with- yellow flowers, two-leaved tendrils, which are extremely fimple, and lance- fhaped leaves, is very common in paftures, hedges, and woods. Vetch or tare is fufficiently diftinguifhed by having a ftigma tranfverfely bearded on 1 Lathyrus latifolius Zin, Mill. fig. pl. 160. Mill. illuftr. F1. dan. 785, PI. 23. * Lathyrus fylvetiris Lin. FI. dan. 325. Mor. hift. f2.t. 2, f 10 Geray239.-5, | ' Lathyrus paluftris Liz. FI. dan. 399 m Lathyrus pratenfis Lin. Curtis, see Hh. 44. Ger, 1231. 6. Park, tobi. 3. the DIADELPH. DECANDR. the under fide. The fpecies, which are eighteen in number, may be ranged under two divifions, the firft comprehending fuch as have flowers in bunches on peduncles ; | the fecond, thofe which are axillary, or have the flowers fitting almoft clofe to the ftem, and coming out from the angle which the leaves form with it. Of the firft di- vifion we have the Ted" and Wood Vetch ° wild: both having flowers in bunches many together, but in the firft imbricate ; in this alfo the leaflets or component leaves are lance-fhaped and pubefcent, and the ftipules entire: in the fecond, the leaflets are oval, and the ftipules flightly toothed. The cultivated, and feveral wild forts, are of the fecond divifion. The firftr has erect, feflile legumes, moftly two toge- ther; the leaves are retufe, and the ftipules fpotted. Of the others, Spring Vetch 4, which is very nearly related to the former, has however the legumes generally fingle ; the lower leaflets retufe, the upper ones narrow, and almoft linear: the leaflets are from four to ten; and the ftipules are fpotted, as in the former. Bu/h Vetch? ® Vicia Cracca Lin. Curtis, Lond. V. 54. FI. dan. 804. Mor. hift. f. 2. t. 4. f. 1. ° Vicia fylvatica Lin. FI. dan. 277. P Vicia fativa Lin. FI. dan. 522. Mor. t. "1 TE (Ger. 1227, L 14. 4 Vicia lathyroides Huaf. FI. dan. 58. * Vicia dumetorum Lin. Riv. tetr. 50. Ava 2 has 59 360 Colutea. LETTER XXV. has about four erect legumes growing to- gether on fhort pedicles : the. leaflets are ovate, and quite entire; they decreafe in fize towards the end of the leaf: it ramps in hedges. The Bean’ is placed by Lin- næus in the Vetch genus; and very juftly, fince it agrees ie them in the charac- ters of the fructification, and differs only in having a ftouter ftalk that fupports it- felf, and therefore is not furnifhed with tendrils. Its native place of growth is fup- pofed to be not far from the Cafpian Sea, on the borders of Perfia. All the different forts of Bean are in reality but varieties from the fame original ftock: you un- derftand me to {peak of Beans properly {o called, in exclufion of Kidney Beans and others, which are not merely {pecifically different, but alfo of another genus. Of the fame fegtion, with pubefcent ftigmas, is a genus of well known fhrubs called Colis diftinguifhed by their quin- quefid calyx ; and inflated legume, open- ing from the bafe by the upper future; the Englith name of Bladder-Sena is taken from bie latter character. Common Bladder- Sena‘ has an arboreous ftem, and inverfely- hearted Jeaves. It grows twelve or fourteen feet high ; its winged leaves have four or five pair of grayith leaflets; the flowers * Vicia Faba Lia. * Colutea arborefcens Lin. Curt. Magaz. 81. come DIADELPH. DECANDR. come out from the axils, two or three ta- gether, on flender peduncles; they are yel- low with a dark-coloured mark on the banner. ‘This grows wild in the fouthern countries of Europe. There is another, which comes from the Eaft, and has flow- ers like this, only of a brighter yellow ; differing in being a much lower fhrub, and in having nine pair of fmall, oval, entire leaflets to each leaf. A third, about the fame height with the fecond, but with branches {till more flender, comes from the fame country : the leaves of this have five or fix pair of {mall heart-fhaped leaflets ; the flowers are {maller, and of a dark red, marked with yellow. It is a doubt whe- ther thefe be fpecifically different from the firft" : there is however one from Æthia- pia, with fcarlet flowers, which is very diftinét ¥: for it is a low, weak fhrub, with leaves compofed of ten or twelve pair of oblong-ovate, hoary leaflets: the flowers are long, owing to the length of the keel, for the banner is fhorter than that, and the wings are minute. You will eafily fuppofe, from its country, that it cannot ftand the cold of a fevere winter with us; it does not fhrink however from a mild one, in a dry foil and warm fituation. There is alfo an herbaceous fpecies “, with fmooth "Figured in Comm. rar. t. 11. and Mill. fig. 100. * Colutea frutefcens Lin. Mill. fig. pl. 99. 7 Colutea herbacea Lin, Comm. hort. 2. t. 44. linear 362 Cytifus, LETTER XXV. linear leaflets; but this is an annual plant of little beauty, and therefore rarely cul- tivated. There are feveral other fhrubs of the Pea-bloom tribe: as the different fpecies of Cytifus, of which Laburnum* is one. This is known by yellow flowers hanging in large fimple racemes, and three oblong- ovate leaflets to each leaf. There is a va- riety with narrower leaves, and longer bunches of flowers, more common in fhrub- beries than the firft, which is a larger tree, and comes to excellent timber; but this making a better appearance when in flower, is preferred in ornamental plantations. Se/- Jile-leaved Cytifus*, vulgarly called Cyti/us Jecundus Clufiz, has the flowers in fhort, erect racemes, at the ends of the branches; each flower has a little triple braéte at the: bafe of the calyx; the leaves on the flow- ering branches are feffile, but the others are petiolate. ‘The flowers are of a bright yellow, and the pods are fhort, broad, and black. Evergreen Cytifus* has the flowers coming out fingly from the fide of the ftalk, with very hairy, trifid, obtufe, oblong, {welling calyxes: the ftalks extremely hairy ; the leaves alfo hairy, efpecially un- derneath. The flowers are pale yellow; and the pods long, narrow, and rough. * Cytifus Laburnum Zin. Jacq. auftr. 4. t. 306. ¥ Cytifus feffilifolius Lin. Duham. arb. 1, ~ * Cytifus hirfutus Lin. Jacq. obf. 4. 96. | All DIADELPH. DECANDR, 363 All thefe, and the reft of the fpecies, agree in a two-lipped calyx, the upper lp bi- fid, the lower three-toothed; and a le- gume attenuated at the bafe; and pedicled, with feveral feeds in it. The leaves are ternate. Robmia has a quadrifid calyx; an eX- Robinia, panding, reflex, roundifh banner; and a gibbous, elongate legume, containing feve- ral feeds. ‘The tree which you admire for its long racemes of fwect-fmelling white flowers, hanging down like thofe of La- burnum, is of this genus: I mean the Ba/- fard Acacia’, called in North America, its native country, Locuff-tree. ‘The leaves are pinnate, confifting of eight or ten pair of oval leaflets terminated by an odd one ; all entire, and fitting clofe to the mid-rib : the Atipules are armed with {trong, crooked thorns; and the flowers come out finely, or only one on a pedicle in the racemes. The Caragana’, a Siberian fhrub, has leaves abruptly pinnate, that is, winged, . not terminated by an odd leaflet ; they have four or five pairs of oval leaflets: this has no fpines, and the yellow flowers come out fingly from the axils. There are feveral other trees and fhrubs of this genus ; but thefe are the moft known. Robinia Pfeudacacia Lin. Seba mus. 1. t. 15. f. 1. Duham. arb. 2. t. 42. . Robinia Caragana Lin. Duham. arb. 3. Coronilla 364 PETS RICE Ceronilla, Coromilla is another genus of fhrubs, eomprehending however fome herbaceous plants. They all agree in a two-lipped calyx; the upper lip having two, the lower three little teeth ; the fuperior teeth conjoined ; in a banner fcarcely longer than the wings; and in a very long, ftraight legume, contracted between the feeds, and, inftead of opening by the futures, falling off in joints.—Scorpion Sena‘ is a fpecies of this genus very common among fhrubs: it is immediately known, by hav- ing the claws of its yellow corollas three times as long as the calyx; two or three flowers come out together upon long pe- duncles from the fides of the branches, which are flender, and angular: the leaves are pinnate, and compofed of three pair of leaflets terminated by an odd one: the le- gumes are long, flender, taper, and pendu- lous ; the feeds cylindric. There are feveral beautiful fhrubs of this genus, but too ten- der to bear the open air in our climate. Fndigo- The plants from which indigo is made * fera. re of this clafs ; and many of the kindred genera refemble them in quality as well as outward form and charaéter. Scorpion Sena in particular, it is faid, will yield a dye nearly equal to indigo, if the leaves are fer- mented in a vat in the fame manner as is € Coronilla Emerus Lin. Mill. fig. 132. * Indigofera Lin. Mill. fig. 34. | practifed DIADELPH. DECANDR: 365 practifed with thofe plants; and you re- member complaining perhaps, that the yel- low flowers of the Lotus would turn blue in drying, unlefs you took care to keep them feparate from other plants, and to change them often. Liquorice is alfo of the fame clafs: it oo" has a two-lipped calyx, with the upper Jip ~” divided into three parts, and the lower ab- folutely fimple and undivided ; the legume is ovate and comprefled, with very few kidney-fhaped feeds. ‘The fpecies which is cultivated for the fake of its roots‘ has fmooth legumes, no ftipules, and pinnate leaves confifting of four or five pairs of leaflets, terminated by an odd one, which is petiolate. It is a lofty plant for an her- baceous one, the ftalks being from four to five feet high; the flowers come out in erect {pikes from the axils, and are pale blue. Hedyfarum is a moft numerous génus, Hedyfa- containing no fewer than fixty-feven fpe-""” cies, all however confpiring in having the keel tranfverfely obtufe, and the legume jointed, with one feed in each joint. The genus is fubdivided into four feétions, from the leaves; which in the firft are fimple ; in the fecond, conjugate; in the third, ter- nate; and in the fourth, pinnate. I {hall prefent you only two fpecies, and they of * Glycyrrhiza glabra Lia. the 366 Trifo- hum. LETTER XXV: the laft feétion. One tranfplanted from Italy into the gardens; and the other from a wild ftate to a cultivated one. The firft is the French Honeyfuckle *, which is diftin- guifhed from the reft by a diffufed tielk, and by its jointed, prickly, naked, ftraight legumes; its pinnate leaves point it out to be of the fourth fection: they have five or fix pair of leaflets, terminated by an odd one; and from their bafe comes out a long peduncle, fuftaining {pikes of beautiful red flowers. The other is the Samtfoim®; the characters of which are an elongated ftem ; the wings of the corolla equalling the ca- lyx, and one-feeded prickly legumes: this has alfo, of courfe, pinnate leaves. It adorns the chalky hills with its beautiful {pikes of red flowers; and contributes largely among many others of this clafs to feeding of cattle. For this the Trefoi/s are moft juftly celebrated; there are forty-fix fpecies of them, all having the flowers growing in a head; and the legume very fhort, {carcely emerging from the calyx, not open- ing, but falling off entire, and containing but one, or at moft two feeds. Though this be a genus eafily diftinguifhed by its habit, yet the characters are by no means conftant, and perhaps there is not one com- * Hedyfarum coronarium Lin. é & Hedyfarum Onobrychis Lin. Rivin. tetr. t. 2. Ger. 1243. 1. Park. 1082. 1. mor. "3 4 od DIADELPH. DECANDR. 367 - on to all the fpecies. White Trefoil, com- monly called Dutch Clover *, has a creep- ing, perennial ftem; the heads umbelled ; and the legumes covered and four-feeded. Purple Trefoil, Honey[uckle Trefoil, or Red Clover‘, has the flowers growing in glo- bular fubvillous {pikes, girt with oppofite membranous ftipules ; and the corollas all of one petal. ‘There are many wild fpe- cies of this genus; but the Yellow Tre- foil, cultivated under this name, or that of Nonefuch, is of another genus, as we fhall fee prefently. Lotus has a tubular cdlyx; the wings of Lotus. the corolla clapping clofe together upwards longitudinally ; and an upright cylindric lecume. The wild fpecies is called common Bird’ s-foot*, and is diftinguifhed by its de- cumbent ftems, many flowers growing to: gether in deprefled heads; and exactly cy- lindric, fpreading legumes. The corcllas are of a bright yellow. Lucerne’ is of the genus Medicago, the Medica- charaéter of which is that the keel of the 8° corolla bends down from the banner, and that the legume is flatted, and fpiral or wreathed like the fhell of a fnail. The ® Trifolium repens Zin. Curtis, Lond, III. 46. Ger. 1185. 1. 1 Trifolium pratenfe Lin. Blackw. t. 20. k Lotus corniculatus Lin, Curtis, Lond. II. 56. Ger. 1190. 5. T Medicago fativa Zin. Mor. hift. f. 2. t. 16. f. 2. Ger. 1189. 2. Park, 1114, I, {pecific 368 LETTER XXV. fpecific character is this—the ftem is ere& and fmooth, the flowers grow in a raceme, and the legumes are contorted: the colour of the corollas is blue. The fpecies culti- vated under the name of 7refoi/ or Nonfuch™ has the {tems procumbent; the flowers in oval fpikes ; and the legumes kidney-form, with one feed only in each; the corollas are {mall and yellow. Ina cultivated ftate the ftems draw each other up, and lofe, in a great meafure, their natural procumbency, as does alfo Bird’s-foot Trefoil, when it has other plants about it, as in grafs-fields, &c. There is a fpecies of Medicago called poly- morphous or many-form”, from the variety of appearances it puts on, or from the change of figure in the pod. We have one variety very common wild °, called Heart- Clover from the form of the leaves, which are alfo generally fpotted: each head con- fifts of four or five little yellow flowers; the legumes are globofe, fpiral, and co- vered with very diverging fpines: and in the garden you have the vegetable Sails’, with large, {piral, globofe legumes, naked, or not covered with {pines; and the Hedge- ™ Medicago lupulina Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 57. Ger. 1186. 5. Park. 1105. 6. x Medicago polymorpha Lin. ° Medicago polymorpha arabica Lin. Curtis, Lond. ES. By.) "rer. Wrqos 4.Park‘rirs. 6. j P Med, polyin, fcutellata Liz. Mor, hift. f. 2. t. 15. a7 5 hogs, POLYADELPHIA. Bogs%, whofe legumes are clofely armed with long {pines pointing every way. Thefe all have the ftem diifufe; the ftipules toothed, and the legumes fpiral. This clafs has alfo its vegetable Caterpilars, but they are of another genus’. I fear you will think I have already made this letter too long. However, as it may be fome time before you hear from me again ; as the next clafs is a very fmall one, and completes the fet of plants with united fila- ments, I will trefpafs on your patience whilft I go through it. THE CLASS POLYADELPHIA. The Clafs Polyadelphia, then, compre- hends all fuch flowers as have the filaments united at bottom into more than two par- cels. The filaments are in bunches, or pen- cilled, as one might call it, fince they are collected into bodies refembling a camel’s hair pencil. If you were not to attend to this character, you might eafily fuppofe thefe plants to belong to the clats Po/yan- dria, for they have no ftriking appearance, like the pulfe tribe. and fome others, an- nouncing them immediately to range under this ciafs. There are four orders, taken from the 1 Med. polym. intertexta. Mor. f. 7, 8, 9. * Scorpiurus, Riy. tetr. 210. B b ftamens ; G) Nr [e) Citrus. LETTER XXV. ftamens; Chocolate * is in the firft, Pentan- dria, a genus called Mon/fonia in the ie- cond: Citron, comprehending Oranges and Lemons, in the third; and eight genera in the fourth... ‘The whole number of {pecies is only fixty-five. The beautiful, odoriferous, well known, and defervedly efteemed genus of Citrus has thefe charaëters—a {mall calyx five-toothed at top; a corolla of five oblong petals; about twenty ftamens, placed cylindrically round the germ, with the filaments connected rather flightly, fometimes into more, fome- times into fewer parcels; one piftil, and, for a fruit, a berry generally nine-celled, with a bladdery pulp, in which the feeds are lodged. You will have pleafure in examining at leifure the three elegant fpecies of this ¢ ge- nus, and in regaling your fenfes, whilft your mind imbibes inftruétion. When they are in fruit, you diftinguifh them imme- diately ; but when they are not, you will find that the Citroen * has the petioles linear or all of a fize, like moft other petioles ; whereas the Orange, Lemon, and Shaddock, have the petioles winged in fhape of a heart; fo that the main leaf feems to grow out of a fmaller one. Linnæus makes the * Theobroma Cacao Linx. Sloan. jam. 2. t. 160. Merian. furin. t. 26. and 63. Catefb. car. 3. t. 6. ' Citrus Medica Lin. Virg. georg. edit. Mart. p. 135.. 5. Orange POLYADELPHIA. Orange and Lemon™ to be of one fpecies, and to be diftinguifhed by pointed leaves from the Shaddock*, which has them ob- tufe, and emarginate or notched at the end: not to mention the great fize of the fruit, the flowers of this grow more in racemes, which are alfo a little nappy or woolly. I dare prefume that you are by this time fo great an adept in Botany as readily to admit, in fpite of the informa- tion of your tafte to the contrary, that the Seville and China Oranges may be varieties of the fame fpecies, owing all their dif- ference to climate. Neither perhaps do you find much difficulty in perfuading yourfelf, that the large and generous Le- mon may not be fpecifically different from the little, round, four Lime; notwithftand- ing fome little difference in the leaves, and the {pines on the branches of the latter. But [ much doubt whether you will be able to perfuade your fair daughter to ad- mit that the auftere, long, pale Lemon, is not a fpecies totally diftinét from the round, deep-coloured Orange, the flavour of whofe juice the enjoys with fo much delight. I will confent that fhe fhould enjoy her in- credulity, at leaft if fhe can diftinguifh thefe trees when they are deftitute of fruit. The pofition of the ftamens informs you that this genus is of the order Icofandria. * Citrus Aurantium Zin. Mill. illuftr. * Citrus decumana Lin. Rumph. amb. 2. t. 24. f. 2. Bob 2 The 37* ie) Si Hyperi- cum, BET re me à Xv: The genus Hypericum, in the laft order (Polyandria) of this clafs, has many more {pecies than all the other genera put toge- ther. Several of them are wild, and feve- ral others are commonly cultivated among fhrubs: they are not however all fhrubs, for many fpecies are herbaceous. Al! plants do not exhibit the claffical mark, in this or any other clafs, with equal evidence; in this genus the numerous ftamens will ea- fily feparate from the receptacle in pencils or parcels, and thus evidently fhow what is their proper place in the fyftem. Being thus certified that your plant does not be- long to the clafs Polyandria, but to this, you will eafily diftinguifh it from its con- geners, by its five-parted calyx including the germ; by its corolla of five petals; by the abundance of ftamens, ufually forming five {quadrons ; and by the feed-vefñel being a capfule, divided into as many cells as there are ftyles to the flower; thefe are ei- ther one, two, three, or five in number; and hence a fubordinate divifion ofthe ge- nus into four fections: there is however only one. fpecies with one ftvle, and there are only two fpecies with two; the far greater number have three: and among thefe are all the European ones. Common St. Fohn’s wort” has two cha. racters {o remarkable that it cannot well be ~ Hypericum perforatum Lin. Curtis, Lond. 1. 57. Mill. illuftr. Ger. 539.1. Park. 573. 1- — miftaken, POLYADELPHIA, 373 miftaken, as foon as they are underftood : for it has an ancipital or two-edged item, that is, roundifh, or a little flatted, and run- ning out longitudinally into two little edges or membranes oppofite to each other: and its obtufe leaves are punctured all over their furface, fo as to appear, when held up againft the light, as if they had been pricked with apin. Another wild fort not near {o common, growing in moift hedges and woods, and calied Samt Peter's wort* has fquare ftalks; it is about the fame fize with the other, but does not branch {fo much : the leaves are fhorter and broader, and have none of the pellucid dots which are fo remarkable in the former. Trazling Saint Fobn’s Wort’ isa pretty little plant, found on dry paftures and heaths: it has _two-edged, proftrate, filiform ftems; fmooth leaves ; and axillary, folitary flowers. Up- right Saint fobn’s wort* is an elegant fpe- cies, growing in woods and heaths; with columnar ftems: ftem-clafping, {mooth, heart-fhaped leaves; and ferrated calyxes with the teeth glandular. The two moft common forts, cultivated among other fhrubs, are the inking /hrubby* * Hypericum quadrangulum Lin. Curtis Lond. IV. 52. Fl. dan. 640. Ger. 542. Park. 575. _# Hypericum humifufum Zin. Curtis, Lond. III. 50. FI. dan. 141. Ger. 541. 4. * Hypericum pulchrum Zin. Curtis, Lond. I. 56. FI. dan. 75. Petiv. 60. 6. Hypericum hircinum Lin. bib and (#2) LETTER XXV. and Canary? St. fobn’s worts. They have both a rank fmell, refembling that of a goat, which however, in fome circum- ftances, and at certain diftances, feems to be fweet, at leaft to fome perfons; both alfo have three piftils: but the firft is a much lower plant, and has the ftamens longer than the corolla; whereas in the fe- cond they are fhorter. Garden Tut/an“ is evidently of this genus: it is one of thofe which have five piftils; the ftems are low, fimple, herbaceous, and quadrangular; the Jeaves fmooth, and quite entire: the roots creep extremely, and the flowers are very large. Wild Tutfan, or Tutfan Saint Fobn’s wort', called ao Park-leaves, has a fhrubby two-edged ftem; three piftils, and a ber- ried fruit, or foft, coloured pericarp: the flowers of this are fmall, and the ftamens extend beyond the corollas. It grows wild in woods, and fometimes in moift hedges. Of the more rare and tender forts, the Majorca Saint fobn's wort® is very diftin- guifhable by the warts all over the flender red branches; the leaves alfo are repand or waved on their edges, Jhave {mall protu- berances on their under furface, and at the > Hypericum canarienfe Liz. Comm. hort. 2. t. 68. ‘Hypericum Afcyron Lin, Gmel. fibir. 4. t. 69. PI. 24. ¢ Hypericum Androfemum. Lin. Curtis, Lond. III. 48. Ger. 543, I. ¢ Hypericum balearicum Liz, Mill. fig. pl. 54. Curt. Mag. 137. at bafe POLYADELPHI À. bafe embrace the ftalk: the flowers are large, with the ftamens a little fhorter than the corolla, and five piftils. Laftly, CA;- nefe Hypericum‘, which ftands alone, as having one piftil only, has a fhrubby flan, coloured calyxes, ftamens longer than the corolla, and is one of the moft beautiful of this genus, fo gay with its yellow corollas, and abundant crop of ftamens. With this large harveft, I leave you, dear coufin, till T thall hive found leifure to prepare the extenfive and moft difficult tribe of compound flowers for your in- {pection. 3 Hypericum monogynum Zin, Mill, fig. pl. 1 SI: . 2 Bb 4 LETTER (x.g964.) LETTER. XXVI. THE CLASS SYNGENESIA, Auguft the 24th, 1776. HOU GH this letter, dear coufin, will arrive late in the feafon, yet it will be in time for you to examine the far greater part of the clafs Syugenefia, or tribe of compound flowers, which blow chiefly inthe autumn. You are well aware that the effential character of this clafs is the union of the anthers. You are perfect miftrefs of the ftruéture of a compound flower, and of the different florets that com- pofe its And laftly, the feveral orders into which the clafs is divided are familiar to you, and the foundation of them well underftood*. Very little therefore remains to premife, before we proceed to the ex- amination of the genera and fpecies. This is by much the moft numerous of the natural claffes'; and therefore it fhould, in all probability, be more difficult to find fufficient generic and fpecific diftinétions here than in any other: fuch however © See letter VI. See letter X. ? The number of genera being 116, and of fpecies 1247. has SYNGENESIA. has been the fagacity and induftry of Lin- neeus, that I hope you will not find any great difficulty, even in the two firft orders, which contain above two thirds of all the genera. : THE ORDER POLYGAMIA ÆQUALIS. To facilitate the inveftigation, 1 in the firft order, Polygamua Æquals, it is fubdivided into three battalions, eafily diftinguifhed b the moft obvious characters. The firft con- tains the flowers compofed wholly of ligu- late florets, which are the Semiflofculous flowers of Tournefort : the fecond contains the capitate or headed flowers: and the third the difcoid flowers. So that there are no ra- diate flowers in this order: the flowers of the firft {eétion are wholly made up of fuch flo- rets as compofe the ray of thefe: inthe two other feétions there are none of thefe ligu- late corollas or femiflorets, but the com- pound flower is wholly made up of tubulous corollas, or florets properly fo called: in the fecond {ection thefe are long, and the : calyx bulges out at bottom, as in the thif- tles; in the third, the flowers refemble a Daity or other radiate flower, with the ray pulled off. - The calyx, the receptacle, and the crown of the feed will in general be found fufficient to 377 Tragopo- gon. LET TER XXVI. to furnifh the generic diftinétions in this order *. Thus Tragopogon or Goat’s-beardis known by its fimple calyx, naked receptacle, and feathered ftipitate down: and thefe three circumftances are fufficient to diftinsuifh this genus from all others; provided you have firft affured yourfelf, by the rules al- ready laid down, that your flower is of the compound tribe, that each flofcule has the anthers united into a cylinder, which the piftil, terminated by two revolute ftigmas, perforates; and that the corollas are all li- gulate: for thus it is that you come at the clafs, order, and fection. I cannot fuppofe that you haveany difficulty in diftinguifhing a natural compound flower from a double one, the creature of art and culture, though the fimilarity may miflead thofe who are not k The calyx is fingle, or fimple in Seriola, Geropo- — gon, Andryala, Tragopogon : calyeled, or furnifhed with a fecond fet of leaflets at the bafe, in Cichoreum, Picris, Crepis, Chondrilla, Prenanthes, Lapfana, Hyoferis ; in the reft imbricate. The receptacle is villous in Scolymus, Cithoreum, Catananche, Seriola, Hypocheris, Geropogon ; in the reft it is naked, that is, has neither hairs nor chaffs between the flofcules. Scolymus and Lap/ana have no pappus or down: in Seriola, Andryala, Crepis, Prenanthes, Laétuca, Hieracium, Sonchus, the down is fimple; in Hypocheris, Geropogon, Tragopogon, Picris, Leontodon, Scorzonera, Chondrilla, it is feathered; in Cichoreum the crown of the feed is five-toothed, in Ca- tananche five-awned, in Hyoferis crowned with a caly- cle. In fome genera this down fits clofe to the feed, in others it is fiped or ffibitate : that is, has a ftem inter- pofed between it and the feed. accuftogned SYNGENESIA. | 379 accuftomed to obfervation; becaufe I am Certain that if you have the leaft doubt, you will pull out a flofcule, in order to fee whe- ther it has a feed, ftamens, and piftil, or is only a mere flat petal. But to return to our plant.—Y¢e//ow or Common Goat’s-beard’, which grows wild among the grafs in mea- dows, is diftinguifhed by entire upright leaves, and by the fegments of the calyx at leaft equalling in length the outer flofcules. Towards noon you will not eafily find this plant, becaufe the flowers are then always clofed: after the flower is paft, Goat’s-beard is very apparent, on account of the large globe formed by the down of the feeds, till the wind has at length torn them from the receptacle, and wafted them feparately to diftant places. Salfafy™, which your gardener will fur- -nifh you with from the kitchen garden, has the fegments of the calyx much longer than the flofcules, and the peduncles {well out re- markably under the flower; which is large, and of a fine blue. Another plant of this tribe which you may scorzone- alfo have from the kitchen garden, is thers. Scorzonera, of a genus nearly allied to the laft; agreeing with it in having a naked receptacle and a feathered ftipitate down, * Tragopogon pratenfe Lin. Mor. hift, f. 7. t. 9. fu: Ger. 7352 2. ™ Tragopogon porrifolium Lin. Mor. t. g. f. 5. Her, 735. Fl. dan. 797. PL 25. f. 1. but Sonchus, & Eadtuca. LETTER XXVI. but differing from it by an imbricate calyx, with the fcales membranaceous about the edge. The cultivated {pecies” has a branch- ing ftem, and entire, {tem-clafping leaves, flightly fawed on their edges; the flowers are of a bright yellow. Sowthifile and Lettuce agree in a naked receptacle, an imbricate calyx, and a fimple down to the feed. But in the firft the calyx is gibbous, or {welling at the bafe ; in the fecond it is cylindric, with membranous edges: the firft has a feflile down; in the fecond it is ftipitate, and the feeds are po- lifhed. You will always find it ufeful, where you can, thus to bring together and compare plants of nearly allied genera, in order to confider well their fimilitudes and differences, and to give you a readinefs in making thofe minute but important dif- tinctions, fo neceflary to difcrimination in natural tribes, wherein all feems alike to the. untutored eye, as the fheep of the flock to the ordinary paflenger; whereas the fhep- herd knows each by its proper marks, and calls them all by their names. Of the Sowrhiflle®, that vulgar weed of the kitchen garden, there are many varie- ties; the rough and the fmooth; with la- cerate leaves and fimple ones, &c. which I * Scorzonera hifpanica Liz. Blackw. 406. * Sonchus oleraceus Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 58. Ger. 292. mention SYNGENESIA, mention only that you may not be led to fearch for them as diftin& {pecies ; ; in rea- lity thefe differences are owing merely to accident and fituation. Hieracium or Hawkweed is a numerous genus of this order and fection; the calyx is ovate and imbricate, the receptacle naked, and the down fimple and feflile. ‘Thereare many fpecies wild in this country; one?, which is a large plant, on walls and banks and in woods, with a branching ftem, the radical leaves oval and toothed, and a {maller leaf on the ftalk: and another very common indeed in dry paftures, ‘called Mou/e-ear Hawk-weed4, from the long hairs upon the leaves, i id are ovate, an abfolutely en- tire; this fort throws out runners, and the flowers come out fingly on naked ftalks. There are other fpecies, vulgarly called Hawkweeds, which range under other ge- nera, as the Crepis, which differs from Hieracium, in having the calyx only caly- cled, with deciduous {cales. I fhall conclude the firft fection with Suc- cory or Endive; which has the calyx calycled, a few chaffs between the flofcules on the re- ceptacle, and the crown of the feed moftly five-toothed and obfeurely hairy. Wild Suc- ® Hieracium murorum Lin. Mor. hift. f. 7. t. 5. f.54. Ger. 304. 1 Hieracium Pilofella Lin. Curtis, Lond. IV. 54: Ger. 638. 2. Park. 690. 1, 2, | cory 381 Hieraci- um. Cichore- um. 382 Carduus. LETTER XXVI. cory* has runcinate leaves, and generally two feffile flowers coming out together: Endwe* has folitary, peduncled flowers, and entire leaves, only notched about the edge. Both have flowers of a fine blue; but the firft is perennial, and the fecond only biennial. Curled Endive, though dif- fering fo remarkably from its parent in the leaves, is but a variety of the laft. The greater part of the fecond fedtion, in this firft order of the nineteenth clafs, is occupied by the Thiftles, a moft untract- able genus, not at all adapted to the deli- cate fingers of our lovely Flora. The ca- lyx is all imbricate with thorny fcales'; and how will fhe tear this afunder, to dif- cover that the receptacle has hairs between the feeds; yet thefe two circumftances form the character of the genus; and fhe muft obferve that there are fome plants commonly called Titles, which are not of the genus Carduus. For inftance, the Com- mon Way-Thiftle* not having fpines to the {cales of the calyx, which alfo is cylindric in fhape, whereas in the Carduz it bulges out at bottom, and the receptacle being * Cichoreum Intybus Zin, Curtis, Lond. IV. 56. Ger? 284. "7.7 Park. 796.72. * Cichoreum Endivia Lin. t See Pl. 25..f. 2. “ Serratula arvenfis Zim. Curt. Lond. n. 63. under the name of Carduus. Fl. dan, 644. Mor, hift. f. 7. t. 32. f..14. Ger. 1173.44. : . naked, SYNGENESIA. 333 naked, is not a Carduus in Linnzus’s idea, but a Serratula. So likewife Cotton-Thifile* having a honey-combed receptacle, is fepa- rated on account of that circumitance. In- deed the genus would have been too vaft and unmanageable, without an attention to thefe marks, which might fometimes ap- pear otherwife too minute. You have per- haps even heard it faid that the Artichoke " Cynara. is nothing but a Thiftle. It differs indeed very little; having a hairy receptacle, only the hairs being ftiffer, it may be called briftly ; and the ftru€ture of the down be- ing the fame, they differ principally in the calyx, for the fcales in the Artichoke are feariofe or ragged, flefhy, and terminated by a channelled appendicle, emarginate and pointed—a character which you may exa- mine at your leifure at table. If you would fpeculate on the blue flowers; which being fo large, will give a good idea of florets; at the fame time that it is alfo an excellent inftance of the order Polygania-qualis, and the Capitate or Headed te€tion of it ; you muft prevail on your gardener to let fome heads ftand long after the time that they fhould be cut for the table. The Burdock, whofe heads fometimes faf- Arctium. ten themfelves to your clothes as you pafs, is in the fame divifion with the Thiftles : _* Onopordon Acanthium Zin. Curt. Lond. V. 57. Mor. t. 30. f. 1. Ger. 1149. 1. “ Cynara Scolymus Lin. Blackw. 458. the 354 Eupato- rium. Bidens. LE TS:ER* xA2Vie the globofe form of the calyx, together wath the hooked tops of the fcales wince compofe it, are the eflential charaéters of the genus. The common wild fpecies * has very large woolly heart-fhaped leaves, pe- tiolate, ana unarmed. Of the third feétion, with D//cord, or, as fome call them, naked difcous flowers, few are at hand. ‘The banks of rivers and ditches will furnifh a fpecies of Eupatorium*, a large plant with digitate leaves: ufually there are three leaflets to each leaf, which are hairy, and fharply ferrate, the middle one the ‘largett ; fometimes the fide leaflets are wholly + wanting, and the leaf becomes fimple: the ftalks are lofty, rough, and quadrangular; and bear large bunches of {mall purple flawers on their tops, with about five florets in each calyx. The cha- racters of the genus are an oblong, imbri- cate calyx, a naked receptacle; a feathered down, and a very long ftyle, divided half way the length. The fame fituations will produce you the Bidens ; which has alfo an imbricate calyx: but the receptacle is chaffy; the corolla is fometimes furnifhed with one floret alter- nately radiant; and the feeds are crowned * Arctium Lappa Lin. Curtis, Lond. IV. 55. Ger. 809. Y Eupatorium cannabinum Lin. FI]. dan. 745. Mor. hift. f. 7. t. 13. f. 1. Ger. 711.2. Common Hemp- Agrimony. See Pl. 25. f. 3. . | wth SYNGENESIA. Uo (oe) rs re «with two ereét, rugged awns, which being hooked make the feeds adhere to any thing that comes near them. We have two wild {pecies, the srifid*, fo called from its trifid leaves; with erect feeds, and leafy calyxes: and the nodding *, with lance-fhaped, ftem- clafping leaves, nodding flowers, and erect feeds.. The corollas of both are yellow ; but thofe of the laft, which is the leaft common, are moft fpecious. THE ORDER POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. The fecond order of the clafs Syngenefia, entitled Polygamia fuperflua, being {carcely lefs numerous than the firft, is fubdivided . -into two fections, the firft containing the difcoid, and the fecond, the radiate flowers: there is only one genus in this order with femiflofculous flowers. Of the firft fection, with difcoid flowers, Tanace- you have the Zan/y; which you find to" have an imbricate, hemifpheric calyx; the corollas of the ray, or on the outfide, tri- fid ; the others quinquefid; the feeds naked, being only flightly edged; and the recep- tacle naked. Sometimes in this genus there are. no imperfect flowers. Our common * Bidens tripartita Lin. Water Hemp-Agrimory. Curtis, Lond. IV. 57. Ger. 7118. 1. * Bidens cernua Lin. Nodding Water Hemp-Agri- mony. Curtis, Lond. ILE. 55. FL dan. 841. ve Tanjy, Artemifia, LETTER XXVI. Tanfy*, which not only the kitchen-gar- den, but dry, upland paftures will furnifh you with, has bipinnate, or twice-feathered leaves, which are gafhed, and ferrate about the edges. Southernwood, the Wormwoods and Mug- wort, all range under the genus Artemifia; which has a calyx imbricate, with rounded, converging fcales; naked feeds; and a re- ceptacle either naked or with few hairs: the flowers have no ray whatever, but are {tridly difcoid. Southernwood< is fhrubby, erect, and has fetaceous leaves, very much branched: there is a field or weld Southern- wood, with procumbent, twiggy ftems, and multifid, linear leaves. Common and Roman Wormwoods and Mugwort have erect herbaceous ftems, and compound leaves. The Common‘ {pecies has the leaves multi- fid, the flowers fubglobular and pendulous, and the receptacle hairy. Roman Worm- wood‘ has the leaves many-parted, and downy underneath, the heads of flowers roundifh and nodding, as in the other; but the receptacle naked. Mugwort® has pin- 5 Tanacetum vulgare Lin. FI. dan. 871. Moor. hift. i. 6. t. 7. f. re Ger. DS L © Artemifia Abrotanum Lin. Blackw. 555. 4 Artemifia campeftris Lin. Ger. 1106. 5. Park. on: eee Abfinthium Zin. Blackw. t. 17. Ger. 1006. 1. aay f Artemifia pontica Lin. Jacq. auftr. 1. t. 99. = Artemifia vulgaris Lin. Blackw. t. 431. Ger. 103%: re À natifid SYNGENESIAs 387 natifid, flat, gafhed leaves, downy under- neath: the flowers are borne in fimple, re- curved racemes, and have a ray of five flowers. Common Sea Wormwood" has pro- cumbent ftems ; many-parted downy leaves, nodding racemes, and three flowers in the ray. | Gnaphalium, comprehending many wild Gnapha- Cudweeds and the Immortal flowers, or yel- irm: low and white Everlaftings, has an imbri- cate calyx, with the fcales rounded, fca- riofe, and coloured; a naked receptacle, and feathered down. There are feveral fpe- cies both of yellow and white Everlaftings ; the moft known of the firft, is common in Portugal, where they adorn their churches with the flowers, which are alfo fent an- nually to England: it is fuppofed to have been brought originally from India‘: the leaves are linear-lanced, and feffile: the flowers are borne in a compound corymb, on elongated peduncles; and the ftem is fubherbaceous. One of the latter * is very common in the gardens, and is originally of North America; this has leaves like the former, fharp-pointed, and alternate; the {tems herbaceous, and branched above, the flowers in corymbs, with level tops. This k Artemifia maritima. Ger. 1099. 1. Petiv. 2c. 2. i Gnaphalium orjentale Liz. Comm. hort. 2. t. 55. Mer. hift. f. 7. t. 10. f. laft. * Gnaphalium margaritaceum Lin, Sc 2 has : 388 LETTER XXVI. has a very creeping root; and the ftalks and leaves are woolly: the filvery calyxes, as well as the golden ones, of the former, if gathered before they are too open, will continue in beauty many years. Xeranthes Xeranthemum, or Eternal flower, has an mum- imbricate calyx, with the inner fcales mem- branaceous, fhining, and forming a fet of coloured rays to crown the flower; the re- ceptacle is moftly naked; and the down is “either briftly or feathered. Annual Xeran- themum' is an exception to the general character, in having a chaffy receptacle ; it is alfo the only one which has a down of five briftles: it is herbaceous, has lance- fhaped {preading leaves; the outfide florets have a fimple ftigma, with a naked feed ; thofe in the middle have a fub-bifid ftigma. The colour of the corolla is either purple or white. There is a fort from the Cape with yellow flowers ™. Tufflago, The fecond divifion of this order, with Radiate flowers, is much the largeft. Tu/- filago or Colt’s-foot has a cylindric calyx, with ‘equal fcales, from fifteen to twenty in number, as long as the difk of the flower, and a little membranous; a naked recepta- cle, and a fimple or hairy down. Common wild Colt’s-foot” has angular leaves, rather 1 Xeranthemum annuum Zin, Mill. illuftr. Jacq. auftr. 4. 388. m Xeranthemum fpeciofifimum. Seba 2. t. 43. f. 6. à Tuffilago Farfara Lin, Curtis, Lond. II. 60. Ger. Bit. FRE 1220. heart- SYNGENESTA, heart-fhaped, with flight indentations about the edges, underieath. white; and one yel- low flower on a {cape, which is imbricate or covered with fcales. Butter-bur° has vaft leaves fhaped much like thofe of the Colfs-foot; many (from ten to twenty) purplith flowers, collected into an ovate thyrfe, on the top of a purplifh fcape fet with fcales of the fame colour; there are fometimes from two to fix imperfect, white, ligulate florets, with fcarcely any corolla, among the others. You will not be able to examine all the fpecific characters of thefe two plants at once; for the naked ftem which bears the flowers pufhes up alone very early in the {pring ; and the leaves do not fucceed till the flowers are pañt. 339 Senecio, or Groundfel, is a very numerous Senecio. genus’, having a cylindric calycled calyx, with the fcales /pacelate or feeming moiti- fied at top ; a naked receptacle, and a fim- ple down. Moft of the fpecies have radiate flowers, eight of them however have not, and among thefe is the Common Groundfel*, {o vulgar a weed in kitchen-gardens. Stimk- ing Groundfel*, a plant not very unlike this, has however radiate corollas, with the fe- ° Tuffilago Petafites Zin. Curtis, Lond. I. 59. Ger. 814. . * Fifty-nine fpecies. * Senecio vulgaris Zin. Curtis, Lond. I. 61. Ger. 278. VA * Senecio vifcofus Lin. Dill. elth. t. 258. f. 336. Les miflorets LETTER XXVI. miflorets of the ray revolute; the fcales of the calyx are loofe ; and the leaves are pin- natifid and vifcid. This grows in hedge- rows and on heaths, and is a much taller plant than the laft. Common Ragwort* has alfo radiate corol- las, with the ray however not revolute but expanding: the ftem of this is erect ; the leaves pinnatifid, approaching to lyrate, with the divifions a little jagged. ‘This is very common by road-fides and in paftures. The gardens have a purple African Groundfel* from the Cape ; an annual plant with a yel- low difk, and purple rays: it agrees with Ragwort in having radiate corollas with the ray expanding; the leaves are pinnatifid, equal, and very fpreading, with a thickened recurved margin; and the fcales of the ca- lyx are thinly ciliated. A fingular plant of this genus came up one year in my garden, which I took at firft to be a new {pecies ; but, on more accurate examination, it proved to be a hybridous plant or mule, produced from this and the common Groundfel ; it had the radiate flowers of the one, {mall indeed and flightly tinged with purple, and the herb of the other: being annual, and producing no feed, this variety pafled away with the feafon. * Senecio Jacobæa Lin, Mor. hift. f. 7. t. 18. f. 1. Ger. 280.1. Park. 668. r. * Senecio elegans Lin, Comm. hort. 2. t. 30. Seba mus, I. t. 22. f. I. The SYNGENESIA. 398 The two genera of Afer and Golden-rod ater. furnifh abundance of flowers that enliven the autumnal feafon, and continue till the feve- rity of froft puts an end tothem. They both agree in an imbricate calyx, a fimple down, and a naked receptacle: but the inferior {cales in the calyx of the 4fer are fpread- ing, and have a ragged appearance ; where- as in the Go/den- sacl they are clofe: all the {pecies alfo of the 4/fer have more than ten femi-florets in the ray, but the Golden-rods have only about five or fix remote ones. Some of the Affers are fhrubby, but moft of them are tall herbaceous plants, d ying down to the ground at the approach of winter, and rifing again from the fame root the enfuing fpring: many are confounded under the vulgar title of Michaelmas Daifies. The Amellus, or purple Italian Starwort*, is one of the loweft fpecies, but has large purple flowers, growing in a corymb on naked peduncles, with the {cales of the calyx ob- tufe; the leaves are lance-fhaped, obtute, rugged, entire about the edges, and marked Saath: with three nerves. The greater part of the perennial American rie have {caly peduncles; fome have entire, and others have ferrate leaves; hence a conve- nient fubdivifion of the genus: there are however fome few fpecies with ferrate leaves * After Amellus Lin. Jacq. auftr. 435. Virg, georg. edit. Mart. p. 368. eng and Go D 1 Solidago. LETTER XXVI.° and naked fmooth peduncles. Large fower- ing or Catefby's Starwort*, is one of the handfomeft ; the flowers being large and of a deep purple; the calyx is ragged; the peduncles are fcaly, and fuftain only one flower ; the leaves are quite entire, tongue- fhaped, and clafp the ftem. Chinefe Aller * is an annual plant, with ovate, angular leaves, toothed about the edge, and petio- late; the flowers terminate the branches, and have fpreading leafy calyxes. The va- riety of colour, and fize of the corolla, have made this {pecies very generally cultivated : their being frequently double, will not in- duce you to miftake a double radiate for a natural ligulate flower; which, to an un- obferving eye, it perfectly refembles. The falt-marfhes on the fea-coaft of Europe fur- nifh one fpecies, called Sea-Starwort*: this has lance-fhaped, entire, flefhy, fmooth leaves; the branches are unequal; and the flowers in a corymb. Of the Golden-rods we have only one European {pecies ¥, unlefs we diftinguifh the Welfh Golden-rod*, which feems but an “ After grandiflorus Zin. Mart. cent. 19. Mill. fig. 292. # After chinenfis Lin. Dill. elth. t. 34. f. 38. * After Tripolium Zin. Fl. dan.615. Mor. hift. f. 7. 12207 f> 96! SGer. gig 12> Fark) 6740 Y Solidago Virgaurea Liz. FI. dan. 663. Mor. t. 23. (4.1 Grer 42902; * Solidago cambrica Huaf. Dill. elth, t, 306. f. 303. Petly. herb. Brit. t. 16. f. 11. humble SYNGENESIA. humble variety. The ftem is a little flexu- ofe or winding; and the flowers grow in ere&t, crowded, panicled racemes. The Welth variety has the leaves a little hoary underneath, and roundifh cluftered {pikes at the top of the ftalk, with larger flowers appearing earlier than the common fort: in lofty fituations and dry foils, a ftem will fometimes produce one flower only. North America has furnifhed abundance of fpecies, whote golden racemes of flowers mix hap- pily with the purple corymbs of the Afters ; and thus they jointly enliven plantations of fhrubs in the latter feafon. . 393 Inula, of which Elecampane * is the lead- Inula, ing fpecies, has the following characters— a naked receptacle; a fimple down; and the anthers ending at the bafe in two brif- tles: this ftructure of the anthers is uzique— . the cylinder is compofed of five fmaller li- near anthers, each ending in two briftles, of the length of the filaments. ‘The true Elecampane* is diftinguifhed by its large, ftem-cla{ping, ovate, wrinkled leaves, downy underneath; and by the ovate form of the fcales of the calyx. The ftalks are three feet high, and divide towards the top into feveral {maller branches, each of which is terminated by one large yellow flower. The *Inula Helenium Lin. FI. dan. 728. Mor. hif. fige to 24. BE, Gers 793. , Flea- 394 Doronf- cum, LETTER XXVI. Flea-banes middle * and Lef5° are of this ge- nus; the firft is common in moift mea- dows, and has ftem-clafping, oblong leaves, hollowed next the petiole; a villous ftem terminated by yellow flowers in panicles; and the fcales of the calyx briftly. The fecond ‘ has alfo ftem-clafping leaves, but waved; proftrate ftems; and fubglobular flowers, eafily known by the fhortnefs of the ray. The place of this is by road-fides, and where water ftands in winter. Doronicum, or Leopard’ s-bane, awild plant of the Alps, and now common among the perennials of the garden, has the fcales of the calyx in two rows, equal, and longer than the difk, the feeds of the ray naked or deftitute of down; thofe of the difk crowned with a fimple down; the recepta- cle naked. The common fpecies, above alluded to, has heart-fhaped leaves, flightly indented aboint the edge, and obtufe at the end; thofe at the root ‘petiolate, thofe above Shes! clafping. The ftalks are channelled and hairy, near three feet high: thefe put out a few fide branches, each of which is terminated by a large yellow flower. A fecond fpecies * has ovate, acute leaves, > Inula dyfenterica Lin. Curtis, Lond. III. 56. Ger. 482. 3. © Inula pulicaria Lin. Curtis, Lond. III. 57. Ger. 482. 4. 4 Doronicum pardalianches Zin. Mill fig. 128. Jacq. auftr. 4. t. 350. and PI. 26. of this work. * Doronicum plantagineum Lin. flightly SYNGENESIA. 395 flightly indented, and alternate branches. A third‘ has a naked, fimple ftem ending in one flower: and thefe make up the whole genus. Tagetes has a one leafed, five-toothed, Tagetes. tubular calyx; five permanent florets to the ray ; the feeds are crowned with five erect awns; and the receptacle is naked. French® and African” Marigolds, two of the gaudy annuals of the flower-garden, are of this ge- nus. The firft is diftinguifhed by a fubdi- vided fpreading ftem; the fecond, by an erect, fimple ftem, with naked, one-flow- ered peduncles. Of both thefe, as you well know, there are many varieties in colour, from pale brimftone to deep orange ; and the more double they become, fo much the more does your gardener value himfelf on his fkill or good fortune. Chryfanthemum, fo named from its golden- Chryfaa- coloured flowers, is known by its hemif- ‘hemum. pheric, imbricate calyx, formed of clofe icales, the inner ones gradually larger, and the inmoft membranous or chaffy; there is no down to the feeds, but they are only edged or margined; the receptacle is naked. Some of the fpecies are improperly termed Chryfanthema, having white rays to the flowers: of thefe we have an inftance in * Doronicum Bellidiaftrum Lin, Jacq. auftr. 4. t. 400. _ § Tagetes patula Lin, * Tagetes erecta Lin. the 396 LET TER XXVE. the Ox-eye Dai/y', a plant common among {tanding grafs in meadows, and having ob- long, ftem-clafping leaves, fawed above, and toothed below. Corn Marigold‘, which is a weed among the corn in fandy lands, has yellow rays, and ftem-clafping leaves, jagged above, and toothed below; they are {mooth, and of a glaucous hue. Left you fhould think the colour of more importance than it really is, I will put youin mind, that the {pecies focommonly cultivated in flower- gardens under the name of Chry/anthemum creticum', has both yellow and white rays: thefe flowers are efteemed in proportion as they deviate from nature ; but the plant may always be known, by the pinnate, gafhed leaves, growing broader towards the end. Matrica- [he three genera of Matricaria, Cotula, ae and Anthemis, are nearly allied. ‘The firit has a hemitpheric, imbricate calyx, with the marginal {cales folid, and rather acute ; the feeds have no down ; and the receptacle is naked. The fecond has a convex calyx ; the florets of the difk quadrifid; thofe of the ray have only a germ with its ftyle and ftig- mas, without any corolla: there is no down, but the feed is margined: and the receptacle i Chryfanthemum Leucanthemum Zin. Curt. Lond. V.62. Blackw.t. 42. Mor. hift. f. 6. t. 8. f. 1. Ger. 634.) Parks $205 1: k Chryfanthemum fegetum Zin. Curt. Lond. n. 63. Mor. t. 4. f. 1. Ger. 24347 Park. 1370. 1. ' Chryfanthemum coronarium Lin. Mor. t. 4. f. 2, 3e B SYNGENESIA, 397 is naked, of nearly fo. The third has a hemifpheric calyx, with the fcales nearly equal; more than five femiflorets in the ray; no down; and a chatty receptacle. There are plants vulgarly known by the name of Mayweed or Canali in each ge- nus. Common Fever-few™ alto is a fpecies of Matricaria : the leaves are compound and flat, the divifñons areovate, and gafhed, and the peduncles are branched : it grows upon banks, has a ftrong, unpleafant fcent, the leaves are of a yéllowifh green, and the rays of the flower are white: Fadrsithad into gardens, it has generally double flowers. Common or true Camomile” is an Anthems ; Anthe- and has compound pinnate leaves, the divi- ™* fions linear, acute, and a little villous. It fometimes covers a confiderable extent of ground on dry fandy commons, trailing along, and putting out roots from the ftalks ; its agreeable odour betrays it as we tread upon it: that which is found in gardens, has utually loft all character by cultivation. Achillea or Milfoil has an oblong-ovate Achillea. imbricate calyx; from five to ten femiflorets an the ray ; no down; and a chaffy recep- tacle. Common wild Milfoil or Yarrow? has ™ Matricaria Parthenium Z7n, Fl. dan. 674, Ger. 652 1. " Anthemis nobilis Lin. Blackw. 298. 1. Ger. 755. 4. ° Achillea Millefolium Zin. Curt. Lond. n. 63. FI. dan. 737. Mor. hift. f..6. t. 11. f. 6, 14. Ger. 1072. 2. A. Ptarmica, Curt. Lond. V. 60. bipinnate Helian- thus. LETTER XXVI. bipinnate naked leaves, the divifions of which are linear and indented; the ftems are fur- rowed above. It isa vulgar plant in paftures, and particularly by way fides; for it feems to delight in being trod upon, and in fuch places ipreads itfelf abundantly. The ufual colour of the flower is white, but it fome- times varies toa fine purple. Other foreign fpecies are yellow. The four remaining orders of this clafs being much lefs numerous than the two which we have already examined, there is not the fame occafion for fubdivifions ; and accordingly Linnæus has not made any. THE ORDER POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA, The third order of Fru/traneous Polygamy comprehends no more than feven genera, from which I fhall fele&t two—Helanthus and Centaurea. ‘The firft has an imbricate calyx, rather fquarrofe, or having a ragged appearance from the fpreading of the tips of the fcaless a two-leaved or two-awned crown to the feeds; anda flat chaffy recep- tacle. Every fpecies of this genus 1s a native of America alone, and on the difcovery of the new world, fome of them were vaunted as miracles of nature, though they are now become fo common as almoft to be difre- garded. SYNGENESIA. carded. The annual Sun-flower? however it mutt be acknowledged is a flower of won- derful magnificence, ‘and owes the diminu- tion of regard to the facility of its propaga- tion: the fpecific characters are heart-fhaped leaves, marked with three principal nerves ; peduncles thickening immediately under the calyx; and the flowers nodding. No flower is more proper than this, from its great fize, to give you an idea of a compound flower, and its component flofcules, or florets and femiflorets; only you will remember not to expect feeds from thofe of the ray, that being the character of the order. This plant had its name from the form of the flower, not from any power it pofiefies of turning towards the fun: there is ufually but one flower oti a ftalk, but I had four in my garden on a fingle ftem, looking to the four cardinal points. © Perennial Sun- flower’ is yet more common than the laft, becaufe it fpreads much at the root, and requires no care in the cultivation : theinferior leaves of this are heart-fhaped and three-nerved, but the upper ones ovate. The flowers, though much {maller than thofe of the laft, are yet the largeft and moft fightly of the perennial forts, and the fame plant produces abundance of them. You will be on your guard againft double flowers. The perennial forts dan ? Helianthus annuus Lin. Mill. illuftr. 4 Helianthus multiflorus Zin, Pluk. phyt. 159. f. 2. produce 399 400 Centau- rea. LE T°F-E R: "XAVE produce feeds in our climate: whereas the annual, which can be propagated no other- wife, has them in plenty. “Ferufalem Arti- choke’ is alfo a fpecies of Helianthus; the leaves are ouato-cordate, or egg-fhaped, only hollowed at the bafe; they are alfo marked with three principal nerves: this frequently does not even flower, but it is cultivated not for the fake of thefe, but the tuberous or knobbed roots, refembling in form the pota- toe, but in tafte an artichoke bottom. There is a fpecies which has the common or trivial name of giganteus or giant: Ferufalem Arti- choke juttly merits the fame title, for Ihave meafured {tems of it twelve feet high. Centaurea is a moft numerous genus of the fame third order, containing no lefs than fixty-fix fpecies. The corollas of the ray are funnel-form, or tubular, longer than thofe of the difk, and irregular; the down is imple; and the receptacle has briftles be- tween the florets. This otherwile unwieldy genus is commodioufly fubdivided into fix iections, by the variations of the calyx, which you obierve make no part of the ge- neric character. I. Plants commonly call- ed Yaceas, with fmooth, unarmed calyxes. I. Cyanufes, with the fcales of the calyx fer- rate and ciliate. IE. RAaponticums, with dry, {cariofe fcales, like chaff, or as if parch- ed. IV. Stoebes, with the {pines of the calyx * Helianthus tuberofus Lin. Jacq. hort. 2. t. 161. palmate. SYNGENESIA. palmate. V. Calcitrapas, with the fpines of the calyx compound or fubdivided. VI. With the {pines fimple or wholly undivided. To the firft fetion belongs the Sweet Sul- tan*, which has a roundifh calyx with ovate f{cales; and lyrate leaves, indented about the edge. It isan annual plant, with pur- ple flowers, ofa fweetnefs {o powerful as to be offenfive to many perfons; they come: out fingly on long naked peduncles, and frequently vary to flefh colour and white. There is a yellow Sweet Sultan, which dif- fers not only in the colour of the flowers, and in having a milder odour, but alfo in having the edges of the leaves ferrate: it is doubtful however whether it be a diftinét fpecies from the former. The Great or Officinal Centaury* is alfo of this fection: the {cales of the calyx are ovate; the leaves are pinnate; the divifions ferrate and decur- rent. The plant is large and tall, and the flowers are purple. Of the fecond fubdivifion we have three plants commonly wild, and one little lefs common in gardens. Common or Black Knap-weed", perhaps more properly Kzob- Weed, which the country people in fome places call Hard-heads, is found in almoft all paftures, and is one inftance, among many * Centaurea mofchata Lin. Mor. hift. f. 7. t. 25. f 5. * Centaurea Centaureum Lin. Blackw. 93. " Centaurea nigra Lin. Ger. 727.1. Park. 468, 1. others, 401 40 \ LE T TB Ry XX VI: others, of the vile weeds which are futiered to occupy grafs fields with impunity; the {cales are ovate, with ere, capillary cilias: the leaves are lyrate and angulate : ; and the flowers are flofculous. Great Knapweed* has pinnatifid leaves, with the lobes lanceolate. ‘This grows in corn fields and on balks. The flowers of both are red; but thofe of the latter are much the largeft and moft ipecious. B/ue-Bottle™, the third wild plant of this feétion, which every body knows for an univerfal weed among corn, and whofe’ beautiful blue colour would have attracted regard, had it been rare, has linear leaves, which on the ftem are quite entire ; towards the ground they are broader, indented about the edges, and fometimes pinnate. Moun- tain Blue-bottle*, which has migrated from the Swifs mountains into our gardens, is very nearly allied to this, but its flowers are much larger: the leaves alfo are lance-fhaped and decurrent, and the ftem is quite fimple, ‘whereas the wild fort is branched. Car- duus Benedi£lus, or Bleffed Thifile, is an in- itance of the fourth fection: it has doubly {pined, woolly calyxes, furnifhed with an involucre; the leaves are femi- decurrent, in- ¥ Centaurea Scabiofa Lin. w Centaurea Cyanus Zin. Mor. t. 25. f. 4. Ger. 232, 2. Park. 482, 2: * Centaurea montana Lin. Mill. fig. 114. Curt. mage 7 7; le am. Y Centaurea benedicta Lin. dented, SYNGENESIA. 403 dented, and prickly: this is a fmall annual plant with yellow flowers. We have a wild {pecies of this fection—the Star-thifile*, growing by road-fides, and in dry paitures, but not every where: it has feffile flowers, with the calyxes rather doubly {pined: the leaves pinnatifid, linear, and toothed; the {tem hairy, and much branched: the {pines of the calyx are white, and the flowers red. Of the other fections none are likely to meet your eye ; indeed the roughnefs and vulgarity of their habit, in which they much refemble Thiftles, have occafioned the numerous fpecies to be little culti- vated. THE ORDER POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA. The Marigold of the kitchen garden will Calen- furnifh a familiar inftance of the fourth %* order—Polygamia Neceffaria. ‘The genus is known by a calyx of many equal leaves ; by the feeds having no down, and thofe of the difk being membranous; and by the receptacle being naked. ‘The common or officinal * fpecies is diftinguifhed in having all the feeds boat-fhaped, “bent inwards and muricate. z Centaurea Calcitrapa Lin. Ger. 1166. 1. : * Calendula officinalis Lin. Mill. illuftr. Pl. 27. o 2. ; D d 2 THE 404 Echinops. Viola LETTER XXVI. _ THE ORDER POLYGAMIA SEGREGATA. In the Segregate order, befides the calyx or perianth common to the whole flower, there is a fecondary one, including feveral flofcules, or fometimes one only ; this forms one character of the genera. Ecb/rops has only one flower to each partial calyx? befides this, the flofcules are tubular, and complete; the feeds have an obfcure down; and the receptacle is briftly. Commoz Globe-thiftle® is fo called from the flowers growing in globular heads: the leaves are finuous and pubefcent, the jags ending in fpines; the flowers are blue, and fome- times. white. THE ORDER MONOGAMIA. We have now done with the natural tribe of compound flowers, but there re- mains yet one order of the clafs Syngene/ia, in which the flowers are totally ditterent, except in the common charaéter of the union of the five anthers; they are fimple, like the flowers of other clafles, or have only one corolla inclofed within the calyx, with- out any common perianth. The /zo/et will furnifh you with a number of notorious examples of this order. All the fpecies, * Echinops fphærocephalus Zin, Mill. illuftr. & PI. 28. 5 which ‘ SYNGENESIA. which are twenty-eight, agree in a five- leaved calyx; a five-petalled irregular co- rolla, produced into a horn or fpur behind; and in a three-valved, one-celled capfule, above the receptacle, or inclofed within the calyx, the Sweet Violet*, that fcents the banks, hedges, and borders of woods, in the {pring, with its fragrant purple flowers, is one of thofe which have no ftalks, ex- cept the fcape which fupports the flower, and the runners by which they are propa- gated; the leaves are heart-fhaped. The corollas are fometimes white, and the gar- dens boaft a large double variety. This is one of the few wild plants, whofe allowed merit has fecured it a place in every culti- vated {pot. The later fpecies without fcent, commonly called Dog Violet *, is one of the caulefcent or ftalky kind, the more adult ftems afcending; the leaves are heart- fhaped, but drawn to a point at the end: the corolla is paler than that of the Sweet Violet, and having leaves proceeding from a ftalk, cannot be miftaken for that in which ‘they grow immediately from the root, even if the odour were not attended to. Heart’s-ea/e or TT es°, the univerfal favourite © Viola odorata Liz. Curtis, Lond. I. 63. Ger. 850. Oe 9 ay 8 4 Viola canina Zin. Curtis, Lond. II. 61. Ger. 851. 6. à Viola tricolor Lir, Curtis, Lond. I. 65. Fl. dans Dd3 623; 405 406 Tmpa- tiens. LETTER XXVI. favourite of the more fimple, unrefined ages, is one of thofe which have pinnati- fid ftipules, and an urceolate or pitcher- fhaped ftigma; it has alfo a three-cornered, diffufe {tem ; and oblong gafhed leaves. Such are the characters of a plant, which every child becomes acquainted with as foon as he can walk into a garden: but it is not therefore wholly ufelefs to mention it, be- caufe it may at leaft ferve to explain feve- ral terms to you, and to affift you in the examination of plants with which you are not fo well acquainted. When we compare the diminutive and almoft colourlefs Panfy, which we find wild among the corn, with the ample rich- coloured corolla, that boafts the tiffue of velvet, fuch as we fee in fome curious gar- dens; we cannot but allow that human art has made a confiderable improvement ; and we furvey it with the more pleafure becaufe it is not at the expenfe of the na- tural characters of the flower; and you may enjoy it both as a botanift and a florift. That beautiful flower called Bal/am is of this order. Linnæus names the genus Impatiens, becaufe the capfule when ripe is 623. Ger. 854.1. This has numberlefs provincial names, bearing fome allufion to love, « Yet markt I where the bolt of Cupid fell. «¢ Tt fell upon a little weftern flower, “ Before milk white, now purple with Love’s wound, « And maidens call it Love in Idlenefs.” Midfum. Night’s Dream, IL 2. impatient SYNGENESIA, impatient of the touch, eafily burfting, and thus throwing out its feeds. It has an ir- regular corolla of five petals like the violet, when it has not been improved into beauti- ful duplicity by culture; but the calyx is two-leaved ; the nectary or horn 1s cucul- late or cowl-fhaped; and the capfule is five-valved. True Balfam, or, more pro- perly, Balfamine’, has the leaves lance- ihaped, thofe on the upper part of the plant alternate; the flowers come out three or four together, from the joints of the ftalk, only one on each flender peduncle; and the neétary is fhorter than the flower: the varieties of colour—white, red, purple and variegated, are well known. ‘That which comes from the Eaft-Indies has larger, finer flowers than what comes from the Weft, moft beautifully variegated with fcarlet and white, or purple and white. We have a wild fpecies called Ye/low Balfam, and alfo by the familiar names of Quick in hand, or Touch me not®: one long flender peduncle comes out from the axils, which fubdi- vides into feveral others, each fuftaining a yellow flower; the leaves are ovate; and the {tem {wells at the knots. This is a local plant, being obferved only or chiefly in Weftmoreland and Yorkfhire, in moilt * Impatiens: Balfamina Lin. Mill. fiz. pl. 59. 8 Impatiens noli tangere Lin. KI. dan. 582. Ger. 446. Park. 296. 5. Dis fhady 407 408 LETTER XXVI. fhady places, or by the fides of lakes and rivers. . You have now abundant amufement for your autumnal walks; and as the feafon for examination will be over before I fhall have leifure to prepare you frefh matter for future amufement, I take leave of you till the enfuing fpring; when, if health and leifure permit, we fhall travel through the few remaining clafles. LE TL ER ( 409 ) LETTER XXVIL THE CLASS GYNANDRIA. May the 1ft, 1777. RENEW our purfuit as early as pof- fible, my dear coufin, in order that I may be able to accomplifh my purpofe of completing our original fcheme during the courfe of the prefent feafon. The twentieth clafs, which falls now under our confideration, 1s entitled Gynan- dria, from a circumftance peculiar to it, which is that of having the ftamens fituated upon the ftyle itfelf. You have remarked, that in every clafs hitherto examined, thefe two parts are entirely independent, fo that we can at any time remove the one from a flower, and leave the other; but in the clafs Gynandria this is not permitted us; the ftamens ufually growing out of the pif- til itfelf; but in fome cafes upon a recep- tacle, produced or lengthened in form of a ftyle, which bears both piftil and ftamens. This clafs has nine orders, founded on the number of ftamens in the flowers of each ; the genera are 33, and the fpecies 275. The firft order, called Drandria, from there being two ftamens only to the flowers in it, is perfectly natural; that is, contains a tribe 410 Orchis. LE TT ERY Pex: a tribe of plants agreed upon by all the world to be in {trié alliance; or fuch, as when an eye properly informed has feen one of them, it immediately refers any of the others to the fame tribe, clan, or family, as foon as they occur. Indeed the alliance between the greater part of thefe plants is fo ftrict, that fome nomenclators have been induced to refer them to one genus, or one family properly fo called: for the ge- nera differ hardly in any thing elfe from each other but in the fhape of the nectary. Some former nomenclators had eftablifhed the ge- nera upon the roots, which are certainly the part leaft proper for this purpofe, be- caufe you cannot examine the character, without deftroying the plant. But they were induced to it, from the fingular form of the roots in this tribe: which in fome fpe= cies are a pair of folid bulbs; in others a fet of oblong flefhy bodies tapering to the ex- tremities, and {preading out like the fingers, whence they have the name of pa/mate or handed. Having faid fo much of this tribe, it is almoft time, you think, to be acquainted with the fingular perfonages that compote it. The far greater number of them then have the common appellation of Orchis, a name I am perfuaded you are not wholly unacquainted with. Take one of thefe flowers, of any fort you can meet with; or, if no ‘fpecies i is yet in GYNANDRIA. in blow, you will not have long to wait for fome of them. You will find an oblong, writhed germ, below the flower, which has no proper calyx, but only fpathes or fheaths: the corolla is made up of five pe- tals, the two innermoft of which ufually join to form an arch or helmet over the top of the flower; the lower lip of the co- robla forms the nectary, taking the place of the piftil and a fixth petal: the " ftyle adheres to the inner edge of the nectary, fo that, together with its ftigma, it is {carcely dif- tinguifhable : the filaments are very fhort, and each of them is terminated by an an- ther, that has no covering, but has the texture of the pulp of oranges or lemons ; each is lodged in a cell opening downwards, and adhering to the inner margin of the nectary; {0 “that without this jiformation you might have been at a lofs where to find the ftamens, unlefs they happened to have burft from their cells: the germ in time becomes a cap{ule, of three valves, opening at the angles under the carinated ribs ; within is only one cell, anda great number of fmall, irregular feeds, fhaped like faw- duft, are affixed to a linear receptacle on each valve. I have been more particular on the character of this tribe, becaufe the flowers have rather a ftrange and unufual appearance, owing to the fingular pofition of the parts of fragtification. There is a connexion between this and the liliaceous tribe ; ALI 412 LETTER XXVIIS tribe; both having but one lobe to the feed, fucculent roots, entire leaves, and a naked corolla : they differ however in the number of ftamens, the form of the corolla and nectary, the fituation of the germ, the number of cells in the capfule, the fhape and arrangement of the feeds: this tribe alfo bears its flowers on a fpadix, and has bractes interpofed between them. The principal genera of this tribe are thus diftinguifhed : Nectary horn-fhaped. Orchis. bag-fhaped. Satyrium. flightly keeled. Ophrys. ovate, gibbous underneath. Se- rapids. pedicelled. Limodorum. inflated. Cypripedium. turbinate or top-fhaped. Æprden- drum. connate with the ringent corolla. Arethufa. The Orchis is the largeft genus, there being no lefs than fifty fpecies, of which eleven are found wild in England. The greater number have double bulbs ; in the reft the roots are either palmate or fafci- culate. | Of thofe with double bulbs, woods and bufhy paftures produce the Butterfly Or- chis, GYNANDRIA. chis*, which has the lip of the neétary lance-fhaped' and quite entire: the horn very long; arid the petals fpreading out wide. ‘The flowers of this fmell {weet, particularly in an evening, and very early in the morning. ‘There are only two, or at moft three large leaves: the ftem is a foot, or eighteen inches high: the {pike is long, but the flowers are thinly {pread in it; tbe braétes are large, and of the length of the germ: the Gowers are of a greenifh white ; LE {pur is twice as long as the germ, very flender, and tranfparent enough for you to difcern the nectar through oe There is a fmaller variety, but differing no otherwife than in fize. Pyramidal Orchis *, found in paftures where the {oil is chalky, is another of thofe which have double bulbs: the lip of the nectary is two-horned, trifid, the fegments nearly equal, the middle one being rather the narroweft ; all of them are quite en- tire; the horn, or fpur, is cylindric, flen- der, and longer than the germ; and the petals are nearly lance-fhaped. This is an elegant fpecies, having fix or more radical » Orchis bifolia Lin. Fl.dan.235. Vaill. par. t. 30. ge owlors mutts {, 12, t, Bde À Toes Crete) FET. 2, Park. 1351.7. * Haller fays linear. k Orchis pyramidalis Lin, Raii fyn. t. 18. Jacq, auftr. t. 266. Vaill. t. 31. f. 38. Hall. helv. t. 35. 1. Ger. 210.4. Park. 1349. 4. leaves ; 413 414 LE TL'E'R ÆICVET. leaves; the ftem a foot, or eighteen inches high; the fpike of flowers fhort, of a broad conical form, and very thick fet at firtt; the bractes at leaft equal in length to the germs, lance-fhaped, and ending in a point; the corolla bright purple. Two of the moft common forts with double bulbs, are called Male and Female Orchis foolifhly, becaufe there is no diftinc- tion of fexes; and therefore thefe names are only calculated to miflead. The! firft differs from the fecond in having the outer petals more acute and longer ; and the middle lobe of the lip bifid and longer than the fide ones: it is alfo a much larger plant, with broader leaves, ufually fpotted. The fe- cond” has the lip of the nectary crenulate, or flightly notched on the fides, trifid, with the middle lobe emarginate, and the petals obtufe and linear. The height of this fel- .dom exceeds feven or eight inches; the leaves are half an inch broad; and the {pike is cylindric, and has few flowers; the bractes are coloured, and a little longer than the germs; the petals forming the helmet con- verge, and are marked with green parallel lines ; the middle of the lip is fpotted, and the fides are rolled back; the horn is equal to the germ, with the end emarginate ; ! Orchis Mafcula Liz. Curtis, Lond. If. 62. Vaill. t; Sif. TL bey Gers:208. 1. , Parks 266. a) ™ Orchis morio Lin. Curtis, Lond, ILL. 59. Vaill. t. 31, f. 13, 14. Ger, 208. 2." Park. 1347. 4. the GYNANDRIA.. the moft common colour of the corolla is deep purple, but it varies to rofe-coloured, and even white. The firft is a foot, and even eighteen inches high; the leaves an inch and half broad; the {pike handfome, long, and thin fet vik flowers; the bra¢tes about the. fame length with the germs, purple and lance- fhaped ; the petals that form the helmet loofe, not converging, they are purple, with lines of the fame co- Jour ; the edges of the lip are bent down- wards, the colour pale purple, with deeper {pots at the chaps; the {pur is ftraight, thick, as long as the germ, or longer, a lated ‘and compreffed at the end. ‘The co- lour of the corolla varies, even to white. This grows in meadows; and the roots make excellent Sa/ep. The fecond affects open dry paftures. Thus you have abund- ant means of diftinguifhing thefe two {pe- cies of Orchis from each other; and the roots are a fufficient mark of diftinG@ion from two others, no lefs common, which we fhall examine prefently. In the mean time, there is a {mall but pretty {pecies A double bulbs, which we muft not pats by. It grows chiefly on dry expofed chalk hills, and is called Dwarf Orchis": the lip of the neétary is quadrifid, and white dot- ted with purple; the horn is obtufe, and ® Orchis uftulata Lin. FI. dan. 103. Hall. t. 28. 2. Vaill. t. 31. f. 35536. Mor. t. 12. f. 20. Ger. 207. Park. 1345. the 415 Ler tes Xavi. the petals are diftiné. The height is from four to feven inches: there are feveral leaves next the ground, but few on the ftem: the fpike is fhort and clofe fet; the braétes are fhorter than the germ; the helmet is pointed, and of a deep purple on the out- fide: within, the petals are marked with lines and dots of purple; the horn is a little bent, and not half the length of the germ. Two very common fpecies with palmate, or handed bulbs, are the broad-leaved°® and fpotted Orchis’, generally found in moift meadows. The firft has the roots rather palmate and ftraight; the horn of the nec- tary conic, the lip three-lobed, and turning back on the fides; the braëtes large, and longer than the flowers, fo as to give the {pike a leafy appearance. The horn is fhorter than the germ, bent and obtufe. The colour of the corolla is purple, varying to rofe and white. The fecond has nar- rower leaves, and a folid ftem, whereas that of the firft is hollow; it is alfo higher, and flowers later; the leaves of both are {potted with black, but this more gene- rally ; the braétes are fmaller and narrower; the corolla of a paler purple; the lip of the nectary is deeper cut, the fide lobes are ° Orchis latifolia Zin. Curt. Lond. V. 65. Mill. iluftr, FI. dan. 266. Hall, 32. 2. Vaill. t. 31. fi r.—5. Ger. 220. f. 1, & 222. f. 3. P Orchis maculata Lin. Hall. t. 32. 1. Vaill. t. 31. fa. 19. ‘Ger. 220. 2. Park. #3575 ae notched, GYNANDRIA. 417 notched, the middle ohe very narrow, quite entire, and drawing more to a point. I fhall mention only one fpecies more of Orchis, and that alfo has palmate roots: it is found in paftures, but by no means fo: common as the two laft: you may call it long-fpurred, or fweet Orchis4, and you will know it by the great length and flim- nefs of the fpurs: the lip is trifid, equal, flightly notched, and obtufe; and the fide petals fpread out very wide. The ftem is leafy, and grows to the height of eighteen inches; the bractes are fharp pointed, and of the length of the germ; the corolla is purple, and all of one uniform colour; the {mell is ftrong, but, in fome circumflances, {weet. . The fecond genus of this natural tribe is Satyrium. the Satyrium, which, inftead of the horn, or fpur, has a fhort, bag-form, or double- inflated nectary, at the back of the flower. This is a much lefs numerous genus than the laft, having only eight known {pecies. Of thefe I fhall feleét two; Lizard Saty- rion*, and Frog Satyrion, commonly called Frog Orchis*. The firft'is found in chalky paftures, but rarely; and has been rendered 4 Orchis conopfea Lin. Fl. dan. 224. Hall. t. 29. 2.) Vaill. €. 30. f. 8.. Ger.:220. 2. © Satyrium hircinum Zin. Hall. t.25. Mor. t. r2. f. 9 Ger. 210. 1. Park. 1348. 1. * Satyrium viride Lin. Fl. dan. 77. Hall. t. 26. 2. Ger. 224.9. Park. 1358. 9. Ee more 418 LETTER XXVII more rare by the diligence with which it has been fought after, to tranfplant it into gardens, where it feldom continues long, this tribe being generally abhorrent of ae abe eRe à has. double undivided bulbs ; lance-fhaped leaves; the lip of the nectary trifid, the middle lobe linear, oblique, ex- tremely long, flaunting like a ribband, and feeming, as it were, bitten off at the end. It is a very large lofty plant, from eighteen inches to three feet in height ; the | leaves alfo are half a foot long and more, and three inches broad; the fpike has many flowers, and, by age, grows very long and becomes Vent: the “braétes are flender, acute, green- ifh, and twice as long as the germs 3 the colour of the corolla is greenifh without, and rufty within, with purple lines and fpots : the flower has a {trong goatifh fmell. Frog Orchis is much more common in meadows. The bulbs of this are palmate, the leaves oblong and obtufe; the lip of the nectary trifid, ‘with the middle lobe obfo- lete, or fo {mall as to be obfcure. This is a much lower and fmaller plant than the former, not being above feven or eight inches high: the radical leaves are broad and ovate; thofe on the ftem, which are few, lance-fhaped: the {pike is rather thin fet with flowers: the bractes are lance- fhaped, and longer than the germ: the hel- met is almoit clofed, pale green, with a purple line dividing the petals ; the lip is yellow, GYNANDRIA, 419 ÿellow, hangs down ftraight, and grows broader towards the end; the whole corolla becomes dufky red with age. The third genus of the Orchis tribe is Ophrys entitled Ophrys: it has no horn or bag at the back of the corolla, but one petal longer than the reft, hanging down, and marked underneath with a longitudinal rifing, call- ed the keel. This it is which in fome fpe- cies takes the form of an infect fo exactly, as to appear real at a certain diftance. One fpecies, called Common Twayblade*, or Twyblade, from its having always two leaves, and no more, is frequent in woods and bufhy paftures. It has fibrous roots, two ovate leaves, and the lip of the netary bifid. The ftem is eighteen inches high, rather rough or hairy, and naked, except the two large leaves in the middle, between the root and the fpike, which is fometimes fix inches long, and has forty flowers, thin fet on fhort peduncles ; the brates are very fmall, broad, and fharp-pointed ; the germ is round, and thicker than in any other of the fpecies ; the corolla is of a greenifh yellow. The latter end of fummer and beginning of autumn flowers the Spsral Ophrys, com- monly called Triple Ladies Traces*; you * Ophrys ovata Zin, Curtis, Lond. III. 60. Ger. 403. I. “Ophrys fpiralis Lin. Curtis, Lond. IV, 59. FI. dan. 387. Park. 1354. 3. Bet 2 will 420 LETTER XXVII will find at on heaths and dry paftures. The root confifts of oblong aggregate bulbs; the ftem is a little leafy, the flowers are {piral, and all on one fide of the ftem; and the lip of the nectary is undivided and flightly notched. This is a {mall plant, ‘eldam above five or fix inches high, though in à lefs dry foil it will rife to a eke it FES four or five leaves next the ground; the {pike is long and flender, having twenty flowers, white within and yellowith with- out; the bractes are not flat, but hollow, and longer than the germ; the three outer petals of the corollas are glued together; the lip is roundifh and ciliate. It has a pleatant odour. But the moft interefting and ‘admired {pectes of this genus are the Fly and Bee Orchifes, which agree in having two round- ifh bulbs, and a leafy {cape or ftem. Jan- næus thinks the Fly and the two Bees * not to be fpecifcally different, but in this I cannot agree with him. F/y Ophrys or Orchis " bis the lip of the itary quadri- fid; in the common Bee Orchis* it confitts of te lobes, which are deflex or bent ‘downwards; and in the green-winged Bee * Ophrys infe&tifera Lin. w Orchis mufciflora Halleri. 1265. t. 24. 2. Ophrys infectifera myodes Zin. Oph. mufcifera Hud/. Vaill. USTs foul Jo Mout eaete 220 0. Par 4252.10 x Orchis fuciflora Hall: Ophrys apifera Hudf. Cur- tis, Lond. {. 66. Ger. 212. 4. Park. 1351. 5. Orchis, “GYNANDRIA. Orchis, now called Spider Ophrys”, it is roundifh, entire, emarginate, and convex. But befides this character from the lip of the nectary, the F/y is a füffer, ftraighter plant than the Bee, not fo leafy, and hav- ing the flowers thinner fet; in other re- {pects they are much alike, except in the corollas, which are widely different : that. of the fly has the three outer petals ovate, entire, {mooth, herbaceous, and fpread- ing; the two inner linear and dark purple; the lip of the neëtary oblong, dark purple above, and herbaceous underneath, with a blue {pot or band below the upper lobes, Bee Orchis has the three outer petals {pread- ing, oblong, and purple, marked with three green Nerves ; the two inner lateral ones linear, villous, and green; the lip of the nectary large, roundifh, purple, and like velvet, the lobes deflex, with a double variegated yellow, fmooth, fhining {pot at the bafe. Spider Orchis 1s a lower plant ; the lip of the neétary is of a lefs cheerful colour, without any of the yellow that de- corates the Bee, and both helmet and wings are green: the three outer petals are ob- long and {preading, the inner linear and fhorter; the lip of the neétary is large, roundifh, entire, emarginate, convex, and ‘appearing like velvet, dufky purple above, ¥ Ophrys infeétifera arachnites Lin. Oph. aranifera Andy. Vaill. t. 31. f. 15,16. Ger. 2124 3. É € 3 with 421 Cypripe- dium. LETTER XXVII. with a green edge, and a double {pot at the bafe; beneath it is herbaceous. Thefe three beautiful plants are found among gras in a chalky foil, and form a fuccef- fon from April to Augutt: the Spider comes firft in April and May, the Fly next in June, and laft of all the Bee in July and Augutft, I have been the more particular on this fingular tribe of plants, becaufe, fpurning culture, they are not liable to effential changes, or indeed to any that I know of, except in colour: you mutt alfo fearch for them abroad, and confequently unite exer- cife with ftudy, which is one of the prin- cipal advantages of Botany; for I cannot allow you to gather plants by proxy, fince you would thus lofe half the pleafure of the purfuit, as well as the benefit: and why fhould you not have as much enjoyment in fearching for a beautiful plant, or finding an elegant flower, as the men have in look- ing for a hare, or {hooting a partridge. I will only add, that fhould you be fo happy as to meet with the Lady’s Shpper*, you would be highly delighted with its fingular, Jarge, hollow, inflated neétary, the form of which has given occafion to the name, Haller however obferves, that it has more refemblance to a wooden fhoe in form, * Cypripedium Calceolus Zin. Mill. fig. 242. Ger. 443. Sowerby’s Englith Botany, t. 1. 3 and GYNANDRIA. 423 and therefore is unworthy the title of Ve- nus’s Slipper, which Linnæus has beftowed upon it, Without entering into this im- portant difpute, I will obferve to you, that the root is fibrous; the ftem about a foot high, and leafy; the two firft leaves fmall, and keeping almoft clofe to the ftalk; the reft (from four to feven) ovate- lanced: one, or at moft two flowers come out on the fame ftem, of which there are fometimes feveral from the fame root; the braëte is very large, as is alfo the germ: there are but four petals to the flower, fpreading out almoft at right angles to each other, and often convolute; their colour is purple ; of the two outer petals, one ftands up above the neétary, the other hangs down behind it; the two inner petals ftand out fideways, and are narrower: the flipper or lip of the nectary is yellow, {potted with- in, and marked longitudinally with ridges and furrows. THE ORDER PENTANDRIA. In the order Pentandria you will find Paflifiora. the numerous and beautiful genus of Pa/- fion-flower. The flowers have three piftils, a five-leaved calyx, five petals to the co- rolla, a radiate crown for a nectary; and the fruit is a berry on a pedicle. None of the fpecies are European, but moftly na- tives either of New Spain, the Brafils, or E-£ 4 the 424 LETTER XXVII. the Weft Indian Ifles; fo that they require the protection of the confervatory at leaft, if not of the flove, except one or two, which will ftand abroad in a fheltered fitua- tion, with a little attention, in fevere wea- ther. I fhall felect the fpecies which you are moft likely to meet with, rather than the rareft. Blue Paflion-flower *, though a native of the Brafils, is feldom injured with us, except in very fevere winters. Againft a houfe it may be trained up to the height of forty feet, and throws out annually flen- der fhoots, fifteen or fixteen feet long: the leaves are palmate or handed, compoied of five {mooth, entire, obtufe lobes, the mid- dle one longeft, the outer fhorteft, and often divided: they are petiolate; the petioles have two glands, and at their bafe is a fti- pule in form af a crefcent, and a long claf- per, by which the flender fhoots fupport themfelves: the flower comes out at the {ame joint with the leaf, on a peduncle near three inches long; round the centre of it are two radiating crowns, the inner in- clining towards the central column, the quter, which is longer, fpreading flat upon the petals, and compofed of innumerable threads, purple at bottom, but blue on the putüde. On the top of the central column fits an oval germ, from whofe bafe five awl, * Paffiflora cerulea Lin. Mill. illuftr. Curt. magaz. 28. and Plate 30. of this work. fhaped -GYNANDRIA,. fhaped ftamens fpread out horizontally, and thefe are terminated bysoblong, broad, pendant anthers, which are eafily move- abie; from the fide of the germ arife three flender, purplith fiyles, diverging, and end- ing in obtufe ftigmas: the flower continues but one day, but there is a conftant fuccef- fion from July till autumnal frofts ftop them. The germ {wells to a large, oval fruit, of the fize, fhape, and colour of the Mogul Plum, inclofing a fweetifh, but dif- agreeable pulp, in which the oblong feeds are lodged. Wiecarnctaron Hills Paffon aid bia native of North America, and though the firft fpecies known among us, is not fo com- mon as the B/ue. It differs from the for- mer in having only three lobes to the leaves, which are ferrate or toothed like a faw; the fide lobes are fometimes divided into two narrow fegments: the petals of the corolla are white, with a double, purple fringe, ftar, or glory: the fruit is as large as a “middling apple, and when ripe is of a pale orange colour. There : is a fort, called Granadilla in the Weft Indies, Wierd the fruit is eaten. It: has undivided, oblong leaves, hollowed next the petiole, which has two glands; the in- volucres are quite entire, as are alfo the ® Paffiflora incarnata Lin. Mor. hift. f. 1.t. 1. f. a. * Pafiflora maliformis Li. Plum. amer. t. 82. leaves 425 Arum, LETTER XXVII. leaves about the edge. The corolla is large, with white petals, and a blue glory. The fruit is roundifh, the fize of a large apple, and yellow when ripe. Another fort, called /Yater Lemon“ in the Weft-Indies, has an agreeable acid fla- vour in the pulp of the fruit, which quenches thirft, and is given there in fevers. It has undivided ovate leaves, quite entire about the edge; two-glanded pe- tioles ; and toothed involucres: the corolla is white with brownifh red fpots, and the glory or crown 1s violet: the fruit is of the fize and fhape of a pullet’s egg, and when ripe is yellow. But fince the rarer fpecies may not readily fall under your cognizance, I reftrain my defire of enlarging on fo re- markable and beautiful a genus; and pafs on to a vulgar plant, which you will find in the laft order, Polyandria, and with that 1 will clofe our examination of this clafs, and my prate for the prefent. THE ORDER POLYANDRIA. This is the common Arum, Wake-Robin, * Paffiflora laurifolia Lin. Jacq. hort. 2. t. 162. amer. pict. t. 219.—P. alata is figured in Curtis’s Magaz. 66. and P. lunata, is moft elegantly figured by Mr. Sower- by, in a fuperb and fplendid work, begun by J. E. Smith, M. D. ynder the title of Zcoyes pie Plantarum rariorum. OF GYNANDRIA. or Cuckow-pint*, called alfov ulgarly Lords and Ladies. Early in the fpring it pufhes up a one-leafed cowl-fhaped fpathe, under hedges and among bufhes; if you open this fpathe, you difcover a fpadix, naked on the upper part, covered with germs at the bot- tom. and with anthers in the middle. This is dittinguithed from the other fpecies, which are many, by having no ftem but that which bears the fructification, haftate leaves that are quite entire, and the fpadix club-fhaped. Though it has the trivial name from the black fpots upon the leaves, yet that is not a conftant charaéter, for of- tentimes they are quite plain. As the plant advances, the fpathe opens, and difcovers the club, varying from yellowifh green to fine purple or red; thefe gradually decay, and leave a head of round red berries, which, as well as the reft of the plant, are very hot and biting. To this, with fome others nearly allied to it, you would per- haps find it difficult to aflign the proper clafs, unlefs, from the ftrange and unufual appearance of the fructification, you were led to fearch for it in that now under con- fideration. ‘Thefe have not properly the flamens growing upon the ftyle, but both are borne upon a receptacle lengthened out in manner of a ftyle, and performing the © Arum maculatum Zin, Curtis, Lond, IT. 63. Mill. iluftr. Mill. ic. t. 52. f, 1. Blackw. 228. F1. dan, 505. Ger, 834. I. . fame 429 LETTER XXVII. fame office as the piftil in the other genera. Linnæus obferves that he might, and per- haps ought to have ranged eh ‘plants un- der other claffes; but ‘he was deterred by the difficulty of afligning the number of ftamens to each piftil. Since he found a dif- ficulty in removing them, you and I, dear coufin, will leave them quietly in the place which he has aligned them, LETTER € 42909 LE TT-E'R XVII - THE.CLASS .MONOECIA. May the 15th, 1777. E have hitherto, dear coufin, beer converfant with fuch plants as bear perfect or complete flowers only, ex- cept in the clafs Syngenefia, wherein we found imperfect, and even neuter, flofcules among the perfect-ones. But in the twenty- firft and twenty-fecond clafles, which we are now to examine, you will never find any complete or perfect flowers; on the contrary, if they have ftamens, there are no piftils, and if they have piftils, they are deficient in ftamens. This is the common character of thefe two clafles, and the only difference between them is, that in the clafs Monæcia, the ftaminiferous and piftil- liferous flowers are found on the fame indi- vidual, plant ; whereas in the clafs Diecia they are always on diftin& plants of the fame fpecies.. It is fcarcely neceffary to add, that. in both, the flowers which produce ‘ftamens fall off without being followed by fruit or feed: and that the others, which have the germ, are fruitful. The clafs Monæcia, which is the twenty- firft in the fyftem, has eleven orders, tak- ing 430 Typha. LET T#R ÆXVIII. ing their titles and characters from the fore« going clafles ; eighty geneta, and three hun- pee au feventy fpecies. The third order, Trzandria, contains f{e- veral genera nearly allied to the Grafies in habit, “leaves, and placentation, or having only a fingle lobe to the feed: they differ however in the culm or ftraw not being hollow, but filled with a fpungy fubftance ; and in having no corolla. Since Haller thinks there is a natural connexion between the 4rvm, with which I finifhed my laft letter, and the Typha or Cat’s-tail, let us begin our examination with this. Having three ftamens, it belongs of courfe to the order Triandria, and having the air of the Grafles, it ranges in the na- tural tribe of the Ca/amaria, juft mentioned. The flowers ou both fides are borne on à cylindrie Ament; the ftamineous flowers farroundine the ena of the ftem ; and thofe which have the piftils growing in the fame manner below them, and very clofe fet: there is no corolla to either: the firft have an obfcure, three-leaved calyx ; in the fe- cond it confifts of pappous or villous hairs, and thefe have one feed, fitting on a capil- lary down or briftle : fuch are the generic characters. The greater, or bread lene Cat’s-tail, otherwile called Reed-mace', is ea latifolia Lin. Curtis, Lond, III. 61. Mor. hilt. f. 8. t. 13. f. L Ger. 46. Park. 1204. 1 known MONOEC I À, - 431 known by its fword-fhaped leaves, and by having the two aments approximating. It is a large plant, being about fix feet in height, with leaves three feet long and more, but not an inch wide; it is common in the water, on the banks of rivers, but efpecially in moats, ponds, and marfhes. There is a fmaller {pecies §, not fo common, which has femis cylindric leaves, and the two aments re- mote from each other; the ftem of this is not above three feet high, and the leaves are much narrower, ftiffer, and embrace the ftem more. Sparganium, ot Bur-reed, approaches very Spargas near to Typha: but the flowers of each fort num. are collected into a head, or roundifh ament, thofe which have ftamens above, and thofe which have piftils below, on the fame {tem : neither have any corolla; both haye a three- leaved calyx ; the piftilliferous flowers have a bifid fligma, and are followed by a fingle juicelefs drupe, containing one feed. Ere or greater Bur-reed” is common in the fame fituations with Typha, and few plants ex- hibit more plainly the charaéter of the clafs Monæcia. The ftem is erect, arid about three feet high; the leaves are ere& and £ Typha anguftifolia Zin. Curtis, Lond. HI. 62. Mor. hift. {. 8. t. 13. f. 2. Park. 1204. 2. _ -*® Sparganium ere@tum Zin.—ramofum ‘“Hudf. Mor. t. 13.f. 1. Ger. 45. f. 1. Curtis, Lorid. V. 66.— in V. 67. he figures Sp. fimplex, as diftinét from the ramofum. Ger. 45.2. Mor. f. 2 three- 432 Zea. LETTER?) XVIII. three-fided, but the upper one flat: the {talk is generally branching. Mays, otherwife called Indian or Turkey Corn’, 1s of the fame tribe. The ftami- neous flowers are borne in loofe {pikes : their calyx is a two-flowered awnlefs glume; neither has the corolla any awn. The other flowers, which have one piftil only, are in very clofe fpikes, below the former, and are inclofed with leaves. The glume both of calyx and corolla is bivalved: the fiyle is filiform, very long, and pendulous: one feed follows each flower: the recepta- cle is oblong and hollowed, fo that the ‘feeds are immerfed half way into it, form- ing a very denfe fpike. The Weft Indian Mays has a ftalk ten or twelve feet high; long, broad leaves; and {pikes from nine inches to a foot in length, formed of gold- coloured grains. That which is cultivated in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has more flender ftalks, not more than fix or feven feet high; the leaves narrower ; the {pikes fhorter and more flender, with white grains. The North American Mays, which is the fame with what is cultivated in Germany, does not rife more than four feet in height; the leaves are ftill fhorter and narrower; the fpikes not more than four or five inches Jong, with yellow and white grains mixed: the colour of thefe however varies; and i Zea Mays Lin. Blackw. 547. indeed MONOECIA. 433 indeed the three diftinétions are but varie- ties arifing from foil and climate. Carex, or Sedge, is a moft numerous genus Carex. of the fame order, and the fame natural tribe. The flowers of both forts are borne on an ament or catkin, and each flower has a one-leafed calyx, and no corolla: the piftilliferous flowers, which are generally in diftiné: aments below the others, have an inflated, three-toothed neétary, three ftigmas, and a three-fided feed inclofed within the nectary. Some few fpecies have only one fpike; many have feveral fpikes, with both forts of flowers in each; but more have the ftaminiferous and piftillifer- ous flowers in diftinét fpikes. Thefe plants grow chiefly in marfhes, bogs, ditches, wet woods, and the banks of brooks and rivers; they arethe grafs and fodder of fenny - countries, and low {wampy grounds *. _ In this clafs, Monecia, as well as in the next, you will find many trees. In the order Tetrandria—Birch, Alder, Box, Mul- berry; in that of Polyandria—Oak, Cork, Evergreen Oak, Walnut, Hickery, Chef- nut, Beech, Hornbeam, Hazel, Plane;— and laftly in that of Monadelphia—all the * Carex pendula Curtis III. 63, riparia IV: 60, acuta 61, gracilis 62.—dioica FI. dan. 369, capitata 372, arenaria 425, muricata 284, remota 370, canefcens 285, limofa 646, capilaris 168, panicea 443, vefi- caria 647, hirta 379.—pauciflora Lightf. 6. 2, in- curva 24, 1.—Many of the fpecies are figured in Leers’s excellent Flora Herbornenfs, RAE {pecies 434 Betula, LETTER “XXVIII; + fpecies of Fir and Pine, Cedar, Larch, Arbor Vite, Cyprefs. Alder. is one of the fame genus with Birch: their common charaéter 1s, that the flowers of both forts grow in aments or cat- kins, each feparate from the other; that the calyx is one-leafed and trifid; that each calyx in the ftaminiferous ament includes three flowers, that have four-parted corol- las: in the piftilliferous aments there are only two flowers in each calyx, without any corolla; but thefe are followed by feeds winged with a membrane on both fides, whereas the others drop from the tree, without leaving any mark behind them. In examining thefe, and the flowers in ge- neral of this and the following clafs, I muft once for all inform you, that fince many of them are clofe fet together in the fame ament, you muft carefully feparate one flower from the reft, to avoid confufion. You muft alfo look for them very early in the fpring, fince moft of the foreft and timber trees flower before the leaf-buds expand. Common Birch has ovate leaves, drawn to a very narrow point at the end, and fer- rated, or fharply toothed round the edge. Linnæus diftinguifhes the //der™ by its ' Betula alba Lin. Blackw. t. 240. Duham. t. 39. Ger. 1478. Evelyn’s filva by Hunter, p. 218. * Betula Alnus Liz, Duham. t. 15. Ger. 1477. 2. Evelyn’s filva by Hunter, p. 233. ‘ branching MONOECIA. branching peduncles: the feeds alfo are borne on a roundifh frebile, rather than an ament ; and the leaves are roundifh, cre- nate or obtufely notched round the edge ; they are of a dark green, with very promi- nent nerves underneath, and little fpung fubftances where they divide: the bark of the Alder is black, whereas that of Birch is white. 436 In Box both forts of flowers come forth Buxus, together in bunches, from the axils of the leaves or branches, and fit clofe to the fem: the ftaminiferous flowers have a three-leaved calyx, with two petals to the corolla, and the rudiment of a germ; the piftilliferous flowers have a four-leaved ca- lyx; three petals to the corolla, three ftyles, and a three-celled capfule, terminated by three beaks, and having two feeds in each cell. Properly fpeaking, there is only one {pecies of box”, varying a little in the fhape of the leaves, and much in the fize. Mulberry bears the f{taminiferous flowers Morus, in an ament; the others in a feparate round- ifh head, which afterwards becomes a com- pound berry, with one feed in each protu- berance; the firft have a four-parted calyx; in the piftilliferous ones it is four-leaved, and thefe have two ftyles; neither have any corolla. White Mulberry°, which is * Buxus fempervirens Linx. Blackw. 196. Ger. T410. ° Morus alba Lin. Ff 2 the 436 Quercus. LETTER. XXVIIT the fort commonly cultivated in France and Italy for feeding filk-worms, has fmooth leaves, obliquely heart-fhaped, and white fruit. Black Mulberry” has rugged, heart- fhaped leaves: though cultivated for the fruit, yet the leaves are preferred to thofe of the other for feeding filk-worms, and are ufed for that purpofe in Perfia, from whence this tree originally came into the fouth of Europe. White Mulberry is a native of China. Of another fpecies 4, pa- per is made in Japan, from the bark; this has palmate leaves, and hifpid fruit. © Fu/- tick wood" is alfo from a fpecies of Mul- berry: this has axillary thorns, and the leaves are oblong and more extended on one fide than the other. This grows in the iflands of the Weft Indies, but in greateft plenty at Campeachy : the wood is imported into Europe from both places for the ufe of the dyers, but the tree is too tender to fup- port our climate. In the order Polyandria the Oak leads the way. The ftaminiferous flowers hang on a loofe ament or catkin, whilit the pi- ftilliferous ones are feffile in a bud: the calyx of the former is moftly quinquefid, and the ftamens are from five to ten in number: in the latter the calyx is one- P Morus nigra Lin. 9 Morus papyrifera Lin. Seba muf. 1. t. 28. f. 3: Kempf. amen. t. 472. * Morus tinctoria Zim. Sloan. jam. 2. t. 158. f. 1. leafed MONOECTA. leafed and quite entire, and there is one ftyle, fplit into five parts; but fometimes only into two, three or four. The fruit, or acorn, 1s well known: it is an oval nut, covered with a tough fhell, and immerfed at bottom into the calyx or cup. We have two principal forts, or perhaps rather varieties * in England: one with the leaves on longer petioles, and the acorns feflile, or on very fhort peduncles; the other, having the leaves not fo deeply, but more regularly finuate, the finufes being oppofite; they have fcarcely any petioles : on the contrary the acorns grow on very long peduncles, are larger, and come out fewer together. There are fome other va- riations in this noble tree, which being lefs confiderable, do not attract our notice as botanifts. Several fpecies different from ours are found in North America; and fome in the fouthern countries of Europe. Ilex or Evergreen Oak * has oblong-ovate leaves, of a lucid green above, but hoary underneath, ftanding on long petioles, and continuing all the year; they vary much, fome being quite entire, long and narrow ; others broad, with the edges toothed and * Linnzeus makes them one, under the title of Duercus Robur, and defcribes the fpecies as having aecisuous leaves, of an oblong form, but broader towards thie up- per part; the finufes acute, and the angles obcufe. Duham. t. 46.—48. Evelyn’s filva by Hunter, p. 67. Ger. 1339. * Quercus Ilex Lin. hae ee fet 435 Juglans, LETTER XXVIII. fet with prickles, almoft like thofe of the Holly: the acorns are of the fame fhape with thofe of the Oak, but fmaller. The grain-bearing Ilex“, which yields the kermes or fcarlet grain, has ovate leaves toothed on the edge, and the indentures armed with prickles as in the Holly ; they are {mooth on both fides: this is of fo {mall a growth, that it may be looked upon rather as a fhrub than a tree. The Cork-tree’ is a fort of Ilex, with a fungous bark full of clefts or chinks, which 1s the principal as well as moft obvious difference: in the air, and form of the leaves, it much refembles the Evergreen Oak: the leaves however fall off in May, before the young ones come out, fo that the Cork trees are bare for a fhort time; which is not the cafe with the common Ilex. Moft of the trees in this genus are much reforted to by infects, many y of which form different forts of galls: but here we are ftepping out of our” pro- vince:—we will return to it again, by tak- ing the Wa/nut under confideration. "This genus has the ftaminiferous flowers thick fet in oblong, cylindric catkins, under the lower leaves of the branches; they con- fift of {cales with one flower to each; the corolla is fix-parted and the ftamens are ufually eighteen, but vary in number from twelve to “twenty-four. The piftiliferous “ Quercus coccifera Lin. Y Quercus Suber Lin. Blackw. 192. | | flowers MONOECIA. flowers come out clofe to the branches, above the others, at the bafe of a petiole, generally in pairs: thefe have a quadrifid calyx, crowning the germ; a four-parted corolla; and two ftyles: the fruit is a drupe contaiming a nut, with a furrowed fhell, within which is a four-lobed, irregularly furrowed nucleus. Common Walnut™ 1s diftinguifhed by having the component leaves oval, {mooth, fometimes a little tooth- ed, and almoft equal: there are many va- rieties in the fruit, and feveral diftinét fpe- cies in North America, one of which is the Hickery*. All the fpecies have pinnate leaves, with a different number of leaflets ; ours has from five to nine, and the odd leaf- let is rather the largeft. Hickery has feven Jance-fhaped leaflets, toothed on the edge, and the odd one feflile. 439 Linnæus joins the Che/nut and Beech in Fagus. one genus, with this character: that the ftaminiferous flowers, which are in cat- kins, have a quinquefd, bell-fhaped calyx, and about twelve ftamens: that the piftil- liferous flowers, which are produced from buds on the fame tree, have a four-toothed calyx, three ftyles, and a muricate, four- valved capfule, which before was the calyx, and contains two nuts. He obferves that the ftaminiferous flowers in the chefnut are # Juglans regia Lin, Mill, illuftr. Hunt. Evel. filva, p. 164. * Juglans alba Lin. Catefb. car. 1. 38. Ff 4 difpofed 440 LETTER XXVIII. difpofed on a cylindric ament, whereas thofe of the Beech are in a ball. The cat- kins indeed of the former are very long, and the knots of flowers have near ten ia each, and are diftant from each other: the fn are from five to eighteen, and have fhort filaments: the piftilliferous flowers are at the bafe of thefe, and are fucceeded by two or three fruits clofe together; their calyx has more frequently fix fegments than four; the fruit varies in the "number of kernels and piftils, but the moft common number is fix; and the kernels are convex on one fide and flat on the other. The catkins of the Beech are roundifh and loofe, with few flowers; the ftamens are eight in number, on long filaments: and there are only two piftilliferous flowers together, and each of thefe is fucceeded by a roundifh nut, containing three or four hard three- fided kernels, which are commonly called Beech maft. The fpecific difference which Linnæus affigns to the Che/nut¥ and the Beech*, is taken from the leaves; which in the firft are lance-fhaped, fawed with the teeth ending in points, and naked or fmooth on the ‘under furface ; in the fecond, ovate and obfeurely toothed, or rather waving on the edge. ¥ Fagus Caftanea Lin, Mill. fig. pl. 84. Evel. filva by Hunter, p.153. Ger. 1442. 7 Fagus fylvatica Lin. Evel. filva by Hunter, p. 131. In MONOECIA, 441 In the Hornbeam both forts of flowers Carpinus, are difpofed in catkins: both have a calyx confifting of one ciliate or fringed fcale, and no corolla: the one has from eight to four- teen or fixteen ftamens ; the other has two germs, with two ftyles to each, and at the bafe of each feale of the ament or ftrobile lies a feed, which is an ovate nut. In the common Hornbeam? the {cales of the frrobeles are flat; and in the Hop-Hornbeam” they are Er fuch is the fpecific difference of thefe, which are the only known {pe- cies. The leaves are wrinkled, marked with ftrong nerves, of an ovate form, and fharply toothed about the edge. Hazel has the ftaminiferous flowers on 3 Corylus. long cylindric catkin, with one flower to each {cale, which is trifid; it has from fix to ten ftamens; generally eight: the piftil- liferous flowers are remote from the others, feffile and inclofed in a bud; the calyx is two-leaved and torn: each flower has two very long, red ftyles; but you muft ob- ferve that there are feveral flowers in the fame bud, which you mutt therefore fepa- rate for examination: the fruit, as you know, is an ovate nut. As ufual, neither of the flowers have any corolla. The com- mon Hazel nut and Filbert‘ are fuppofed * Carpinus Betulus Zin. Evel. by Hunter, p. 158. Dub. t. 49. Ger. 1470. ' > Carpinus Oftrya Lin. Mich. gen. t. 104. f. 1, 2. * Corylus Avellana Lin. Blackw. 293. Evel. Elva by Hunter, p. 213. Duham.t. 77. Ger. 1438. not 442 Platanus. LET PER? KAMMI, not to be fpecifically different, and the fpe- cies is characterized by the ftipules, which are ovate, and end obtufely; whereas thofe of the Byzantine or Spanifh nut*, which Linneus gives as a diftinét fpecies, are li- near, and end acutely. Thefe do not ar- rive at the dignity of trees, but are only fhrubs. The laft tree I fhall point out to you of this order is the Plane; which has the flowers of both forts in globular aments : the ftaminiferous flowers have a few very {mall {cales for the calyxes, a corolla fcarcely apparent, and anthers furreunding the fila- ment: the piitilliferous flowers have many very {mall fcales to the calyx; many petals to the corolla; fubulate ftyles with re- curved ftigmas; and roundifh feeds, termi- nated by a pointed ftyle, and having a fim- ple down adhering to their bafe, ‘The two {pecies of this tree, for there are no more, are well diftinguifhed by their leaves, which in the Eaffern or Afiatic Plane* are palmate ; and in the Occidental or Virginian’, lobate. The firft was introduced early to Rome, and was the favourite tree of the Romans at their villas. All thefe trees are included in a natural tribe, called Amentacea by Lin- næus, and Ÿw/feræ by Haller and others; * Corylus Colurna Lin. Seba muf, 1. t. 27. f. 2. * Platanus orientalis Lin. Ger. 1489. Park. 1427. f Platanus occidentalis Linx. Catefby car. 1. t. 56. Duham. arb. t. 25. Park. theat. 1421. their MONOECIA. 443 their character is fufficiently obvious from their name, and what has been, already faid in delivering the characters of the genera. There remains fill a fet of kindred trees, Pinus. of the order Monade/phia, and of a natural tribe, entitled Cor pera or Cone- bearing. Of thefe the Pine genus is chief: its generic characters are, that the fannnitefous flow- ers are difpofed in racemes, having each of them a four-leaved calyx; no dalla! but abundance of ftamens terminated by naked anthers: the piftilliferous flowers are on a cone; each fcale or calyx has two flowers, without any corolla; one piftil; and a nut furnifhed with a membranous wing. The whole genus may be divided into the Pimes, having two or more leaves from the fame fheathing bafe, and the Firs, hav- ing the leaves quite diftinét at the bafe. Of the firft divifion, the moft known among us is the Scotch Pine, or, as it is vulgarly called, Scotch Fir: this has two leaves in a fheath; and the primordial ones folitary and fmooth. It is by no means peculiar to Scotland, but is found all through Den- mark, Norway, and Sweden, in ‘Switzer- land, and moft other parts of Europe, and even in the Weft Indies. The Pimeafer or wild Pine of Italy, the fouth of France and Switzerland, refembles this, but the branches are wider diftant, and more hori- ® Pinus fylveftris Lin. Mill. illuftr, Evel. fylva by Hunter, p.274. Ger. 1356. 1. zontal : 444 LETTER XXVIII. zontal; the leaves are larger, thicker, and longer, grow ftraight, are of a darker green, and end obtufely; the cones are feven or eight inches long: the leaves of the Scotch Pine are broader, grayifh and twifted; the cones fmall, and of a light colour: the timber alfo is far preferable, yielding the beft red or yellow deal. Linnæus, how- ever, does not feem to have diftinguifhed them, The Stone Pine" has alfo double leaves, and the primordial ones folitary, but fringed; they are of a glaucous hue. the cones are thick, roundifh, and end ob- tufely; the fcales are flat, and the nuts fo large, that in the fouth of France and Italy they think it worth while to break them, and ferve the kernels up in deferts. Frank. incenfe Pine‘ has three leaves coming out of the fame fheath, and cones as large as thofe of the Stone Pine, but more pointed, and with loofer fcales, that open horizontally, and drop the feeds. The Cembra Pine * has five leaves in a fheath; they are fmooth, of a light green, long, and narrow; the cones are about three inches long, with clofe {cales, and large feeds eafily broken. /Vey- mouth Pine’ has alfo five leaves in every * Pinus Pinea Lin. Blackw. 189. Duham. arb. Phe yb i Pinus Tada Lin. «Pinus Cembra Lin. Gmel. fib. 3. t. 39. Du- ham. 2. t. 32. Pinus Strobus Liz, Hunt. Evel. filva, p. 276. fheath, MONOECIA: fheath, long and flender, but rugged on the edge; this tree grows remarkably ftraight and tall, and the bark is very fmooth, In North America it is called White Pine, and is excellent for mafts. The leaves of all thefe are linear and permanent ; Linnzus calls this fort of leaf acero/e. Linnæus includes the Cedar of Lebanon™ and Larch” in this genus; others feparate them, becaufe the leaves are fafciculate, or come out in clufters, fpreading at top like a painter’s brufh: this circumftance Lin- næus gives for the fpecific diftinétion, add- ing, that in the former they are acute, and in the latter obtufe at the end; this is the only difference he mentions; the leaves of the Larch however are deciduous, thofe of the Cedar permanent or evergreen: the character alio of thefe two trees is totally different—the latter {preading its vaft arms horizontally till the ends hang down with their own weight, and having a faftigiate or flat top—the former having the branches decreafing from the bottom upwards, and being therefore nearly pyramidal. Of the Firs properly fo called, the Pitch- tree, or Norway Fir’, and the Spruce’, are ™Pinus Cedrus Zin. Trew. Ehr.t.1, Edw. av. t. 188. » Pinus Larix Lin. Hort. angl. rr. Hunt. Evel. filva, p. 280. ° Pinus Picea Zin. Ger. 1363. Hunt. Evel. filva, p. 278. » Pinus Abies Zin, Ger. 1354. Hunt. Ev. filva, p. 278. the 445 446 LE DT BRO KEV. the moft common. The firft has the leaves emarginate, or notched at the end: this is the tree from whence pitch is commonly extracted, and the wood of it is what we call white deal. The fpruce has awl-fhaped, pointed, fmooth leaves, turned two diffe- rent ways; the timber of this refembles the other, and, when cut into boards, is called by the fame name. Sz/ver Fir is fo named from the whitenefs of the leaves under- neath; they are emarginate, and in fhape much refemble thofe of the Yew: a great deal of turpentine is made from this. Balm of Gilead Fir* has the leaves fubemargi- nate, or but little notched at the end; they are dotted in a double line underneath. ‘There are many varieties, efpecially of the Spruce; but it would lead us too far to notice them. Cup JL thall finifh this knot of trees with the fus. upright, the funereal Cypre/s, which has its {taminiferous flowers collected into an ovate ament, with one-flowered fcales, and four feflile anthers without filaments to each flower: the piftilliferous flowers are in a roundifh cone, eight or ten in number, one to each fcale; thefe have many truncated points, hollow at the top, which are per- ‘haps the ftyles ; under the fcales of the cone lies an angled nut. Common upright Cy- pre/s* has imbricate leaves, with the leafing 5 Pinus Balfamea Zin. Pluk. alm. 2. t. 121. f. 1. * Cupreffus fempervirens Liz, Blackw. 127. I branches MONOECIA; "447 branches quadrangular: this takes naturally a clofe pyramidal form, and when large has the fineit effet imaginable near buildings. Spreading Cyprefs is only a variety of this, but grows to a very large fize, and fur- nifhes the wood fo famous for its durabi- lity, and refiftance to infects. Deciduous Cypre/s* has the leaves in two ranks, and {preading : it is a native of America, and grows to a vaft fize. But it is time to de- icend from trees to herbs, and thus put an end to this long letter. . The ftimging Nettles* are to be found in Urtica. the order Yetrandria of this clafs; but fuch vulgar ill-humoured plants may forgive your pafling them by, where you have fo many interefting and even great perfonages to attract your notice. The immortal Amaranth however, hav= Amaran- ing fuperior elegance and beauty to boaft, ‘hu: will not thus be pafled unnoticed. It is of the order Pentandria, and having no corolla, is ranged by fome in the natural tribe of apetalous flowers. The fame raceme or bunch bears incomplete flowers of both kinds, each of them having a three or five- leaved calyx; the one bearing three or five o ftamens, the other three ftyles, and a one- © Cupreffus difticha Zin. Cat. car. 1. ts 11. * Urtica Lin.—pilulifera Mill. illuft. Ger. 707. 1. Park. 440. 1.—urens FI. dan. 739. Ger. 707. Park. 440. 2.—dioica Fl. dan. 746. Bis: 706: 2. Park. 441. 3. celled 448 LETTER © XxVIII. celled capfule opening horizontally, with one feed only lodged in it. ‘The fpecies are numerous: one of the moft known is the Amaranthys tricolor, cultivated for the beauty of its leaves, which are variegated with green, yellow, and red: this is one of thofe that have three ftamens to the flowers, which grow in roundifh heads, are axillary, and furround the ftem; the leaves are broad lance-fhaped. Amaranthus bicolor * has only two colours in the leaves, an obfcure purple and bright crimfon : this refembles the other, but has lance-fhaped pointed leaves. Prince’s Feather * has five ftamens to the flowers, which are produced in decompounded, cylindric, long, pendu- lous racemes, of a bright purple, and two feet or more in length. Tree Amaranth re- fembles this, but is feven or eight feet high : the racemes are thicker, but not fo long. Bloody Amaranth™ has alto five fta- mens: the racemes are compound and erect, the fide ones very {preading ; the leaves are ovate-oblong: this has purple ftalks and leaves; the racemes are fhort, and at the end of the ftem there is a large clufter of them placed croffwife, with one upright in the middle: the flowers are bright purple at firft, but grow darker. ‘Thus I have ® Amaranthus melancholicus Lin. * Amaranthus caudatus Lin. " Amaranthus fanguineus Zin. Mill. fig: 22.— cruentus Mart. cent. t. 6. . felected MONOECIA. 449 fele&ed the moft fpecious of this fine genus for your examination: your gardener will furnifh you with them from the hot-beds, when he raifes his annual flowers. . From the. order Po/yandria I fhall pre- Sagitta- fent you with two wild herbs—/rrow-™ head and Burnet. The firft has many fta- miniferous flowers, and a few with piftils immediately below them: both have a three- leaved calyx, and a corolla of three petals: the one has about twenty-four ftamens; the other many germs in a head, ending in very fhort ftyles, terminated by acute per- manent ftigmas. Our common Arrow-head* is eafily diftinguifhed by its leaves fhaped like the head of an arrow, and pointed: it grows in the water, has rounded white pe- tals with purple claws, and bears an evi- dent affinity to Water-plantain. | Burnet has incomplete flowets of both Poterium. forts in the fame fpike ; thofe with ftamens below the others: they have a four-leaved calyx, and a four-parted corolla: the lower ones have from thirty to forty ftamens; the upper, two piftils, and a kind.of berry formed from the tube of the corolla har- dened. Common or fmaller Burnet? is dif- tinguifhed from the other fpecies by being unarmed or having no thorns; and the ftems * Sagittaria fagittifolia Lin. F]. dan. 172. Ger. 416. a PAR RAAT 2. * Poterium fanguiforba Lin. Curtis, Lond, Il. 64. Ger. 1045.1. Park. 582.1 Gg being +50 Ricinus. LETTER XXVIII. being rather angular. This and the Great Burnet*, though feparated fo widely in the artificial fyftem, are evidently of the fame natural genus: the calyx of the latter is two-leaved, and the number of ftamens only four, and one piftil; both in the fame flower: it is alfo a much larger plant, with not fo many pairs of leaflets: this grows in moift meadows: the other in dry, efpecially chalky paftures. Ricinus, or Palma Chrifit, ranges in the order Monadelphia. ‘The flowers have no corolla: fome are furnifhed with many fta- mens, and thefe have a five-parted calyx ; others have three bifid ftyles, with a three- celled capfule, containing one feed in each cell; in thefe the calyx is three-parted. Common Palma Chrifti* has peltate, palmate leaves, toothed about the edge, of a glaucous hue underneath, and glands on the petioles. In the Weft Indies there are feveral others, varying from this, and from each other; which are not, however, generally fup- pofed to be diftinét fpecies. They call them Agnus caflus, or Orl-tree, and extract from them an oil for their lamps ; this ts the Cafor Of, ufed in medicine. The common fort grows in Sicily, and the other warm parts of Europe. The order Syngenefia of this clafs contains z Sanguiforba officinalis Lin. F1, dan. 97. Mor. hifts f. 8.t. 18. f. 7. Ger. 1045. * Ricinus communis Lin. Mit. fig. 219. i a fet MON OEC i À: a fét of plants that belong evidently to the fame natural tribe, entitled Cucurbitacee, or Gourd plants. They all agree in a one- leafed calyx, divided into five fegments ; 4 fuperior, monopetalois corolla, divided alfo ufually into five ; three filaments; one ftyle, generally trifid: and a pomum for a fruit. 451 Momordica is diftinguifhed principally LA Momor- the elaftic burfting of the fruit, which in“ the common fort is hifpid ; the ftalks of this have no tendrils. From the property of throwing out the feeds with the juice, this plant has acquired the name of Spsri- ing Cucumber ?. Gourd has the feéds of the fruit with a Cucur- tumid margin. Long Gourd° has the leaves flightly angular, downy, two-glanded un- derneath at the bafe; the flowers white, on long peduncles, and reflex at the brim; the fruit crooked, yellow when ripe, and the rind hard and woody, fo that it will con- tain liquids; whence it is called Bott/e Gourd. Pompion, corruptly called Pumpkin ® , is of this genus, and has lobate leaves, with {mooth “fruit, which will grow to the fize of a peck. The Sgua/b*, which is another fpecies, > Momordica Elaterium Zin. Pl. 31. of this work. © Cucurbita lagenaria Lin. Mor. hilt. f. 1. t. 5. f. 2. 4 Cucurbita Pepo Lin. * Cucurbita Melopepo Lin. G g 2 has bita. 452 Eucumis, LET T ER’ XSVITi. has alfo lobate leaves, ereét ftems, and the fruit flatted and knotty. Warted Gourd * has likewife lobate leaves, and knobby fruit, covered with warts. Thefe differ much in their form and fize. But the moft known and cultivated of thefe fruits are the Melon and Cucumber, which belong to another genus, called Cz- cums, having the feeds of the fruit fharp. Melon § has the angles of the leaves rounded, and the fruit covered with little {wellings : it varies much, as you know, in the form of the fruit. Cucumber * has the angles of the leaves fharp, and the fruit oblong and rugged*, All thefe having large flowers, with the parts very diftin&, are proper to give you a juft idea of this clafs; with thefe then I will finifh, and releafe you for the prefent. f Cucurbita verrucofa Lin. = Cucumis Melo Zin. Blackw. 329. * Cucumis fativus Lin. Blackw. 4. 1 This ruggednefs is frequently loft by culture. LETTER IAB i anil eat Aiea ©. a Be THE CLASS DIOECIA. June the rft, 1777. HE twenty-fecond clafs differs no otherwife from the preceding than in the difpofition of the incomplete flowers, namely on different individuals of the fame fpecies ; this is its eflential character, and this gave occafion to its name—Dracia. There being no difficulty then in under- ftanding this, which indeed has been re- peated feveral times before, let us go on without farther preface to the examination of fuch plants as are moft likely to fall in our way *. Such is the Wi//ow, which is of the fe- cond order—Dvandria. Both ftaminiferous and piftilliferous flowers are produced in aments or catkins, on different trees; fo that you will have double trouble in exa- mining the flowers of this clafs; for when you have found one fort, you will have to look about, and perhaps have fome diffi- culty in finding the other. In fo delightful a ftudy however, you will not grudge a * The genera in this clafs are fifty-five, and the fpe- cles two hundred and nineteen. (re) little Salix. LE re LETTER XXIX. little pains, after having already taken fo much. ‘The flowers of Willow have no corolla, and their calyx is nothing but the {cales of the ament ; there is a little honied gland in the centre of each ftaminiferous flower: you will eafily know the other aments, by the ovate germ in each little flower, gradually leffening to a pair of ftyles, fcarcely + diftinguifhable from it, but by the two erect, bifid ftigmas, with which they are ER this germ becomes a one- celled, SN captule, containing many fmall “feeds, crowned with a rough “fimple down. ‘There are anomalies in this genus ; for one fpecies has one, another has | three, a third has five ftamens, and a fourth has tue flowers. From more than thirty ipecies I fhall fele&t the Waite Willow’, which is a tree fo common in watery fitua- tions: you will know it by the lance- fhaped, acuminate leaves, toothed about the edges, pubefcent, or villous, on both fur- faces, and having the lower ferratures glan- dulous: the leaves are very white under- neath; and the catkins are fhort and thick ; it will grow to be a large tree, when it is not headed. Several fpecies are commonly cultivated in Ofier-holts™, but being al- 1 Salix alba Ziv. Blackw. t. 327. ‘Ger. 1389. 1. ™ Salix vitellina, amygdalina, purpurea, viminalis, &c. Lin.—Of thefe, S. purpurea is figured in Curtis Lond. n. 61. under the name of $. Monandra. For §. Triandra, fee n. 62. ways DIOECIA. 455 ways kept down, in order to have a con- ftant fucceffion of long, flender twigs, you will have little opportunity of examining their fructification. But one {pecies being cultivated for its beauty, which fortunately depends upon the natural growth, you may ftudy it at your leifure: this is the Weeping Willow”, known at firft fight. by its long, flender, pendulous branches; the leaves are {mooth, narrow, and linear, tending to lance-fhaped. Common Sallow ° has ovate leaves, wrinkled on the furface, which is villous above, and tomentofe or nappy un- derneath, and flightly toothed or waved on the edges, There are feveral varieties of this vulgar fpecies, Miffeltoe is of the order Tetrandria, its Vifeum. parafitic quality you are well acquainted with, and that alone makes it generally obvious to every body: it is however no part of its character. The genus is deter- mined by a four-parted calyx, and an an- ther growing to each part, without a fila- ment, in the ftaminiferous flowers; a four- leaved calyx fitting on the germ; no ftyle; and a berry inclofing one heart-fhaped feed in the others; neither have any corolla. Common or White Miffeltoe* is diftinguifhed from the reft of the ipecies by lance-fhaped ® Salix babylonica Lin. . ° Salix caprea Lin. Fl. dan. 245. Ger. r390. 3. ® Vifcum album Lin. Mill. illuftr, Duham, t. 104. oer. 3950.50 Park. 1393-1. 0 g 4 leaves 456 Spinacia, Cannabis. Humulus. LETTER XXIX. leaves ending obtufely, a dichotomous ftalk, and axillary {pikes of flowers. In the next order Pentandria, we have Spinach, Hemp, and Hop. The firft has a five-parted calyx in the ftaminiferous flow- ers, anda quadrifid or four-cleft one in the others; thefe have four-cleft ftyles, and one feed within the indurated calyx. Linnæus feparates the garden* {ort from the Sibe- rian*, by the feeds being feffile, which in the latter are peduncled : SE the former are feveral varieties: two remarkable ones, which perhaps may be diftin&, the one having fagittate leaves, and prickly feeds ; the other rather ovate leaves, with {mooth feeds. Hemp* has a five-parted calyx in the flowers which bear ftamens, but in the pif. tilliferous ones it is one-leafed, entire, and gaping on the fide: thefe have two ftyles, and the feed is a bivalvular nut within the clofed calyx. There is only one known fpecies, and therefore until others are dif- covered, there is no occafion for any fpeci- fic djtinaioni: Hop* has a five-leaved calyx in the {taminiferous flowers; in the others it 1s one-leafed, obliquely expanding, and en- 4 Spinacia oleracea Lin. r Spinacia fera Lin. Gmel. fib. 3. t. 16. $ Cannabis fativa Lin. Mill. fig. sh ry ER CE * Humulus Lupulus Lzn, Mill. illuftr. Ger. 885. Park. 177. tire: DIOECIA. 457: tire; thefe have two ftyles, and one feed within a leafy calyx: many of them are collected together to form what we call the Hop. In the three laft genera the flowers have no corolla. : The order Hexandria has the Tamus or 'Tamus. black Bryony, the flowers of which have a fix-parted calyx and no corolla; the piftil- liferous flowers have a trifid Avle; and a three-celled berry below the flower, con- taining two feeds: our common fpecies" has heart-fhaped undivided leaves. | The Poplars are in the order Ofandria. Populus. The flowers of both forts are here borne on fimilar aments, confifting of fcales torn on the edge, and each having one flower, with- out any petals, but a top-fhaped nectary ending obliquely above in an ovate border; the piftilliferous flowers have a quadrifid {tigma, and are fucceeded by a two-celled capfule, containing many downy feeds. White Poplar* has roundifh leaves indented on the edges into angles, and downy under- neath. Great White Poplar, or Abele-tree, ‘is a variety of this, with larger leaves, more divided, and of a dat green. Trembling Poplar, or A/p™, has leaves like the former “ Tamus communis Liz. Mill. illuftr. Mor, hift. frets tet. 6.) Gen den Pat. 178.76 ¥ Populus alba Lin. Evel. filva by Hunter, p. 201. Duham. t. 36. Ger. 1486. 1. Park. 1410. 1. .. ™ Populus tremula ziz. Blackw. 248. 2. Ger. 1487. 3. Park. 1411. 4. 11] 458 LETT HR XXIX. in fhape, but fmooth on both fides; thefe being fet on long petioles that are flatted at the tip, tremble with the flighteft breeze. Black Poplar * has rhomboid leaves, pointed and toothed ; they are {mooth on both fides, of a light green; and the catkins are fhorter than thofe of the two former. Carolina Poplar ¥ has very large heart-fhaped leaves, obtufely notched about the edges; and the fhoots angled. Tacamahaca* is a fpecies of Poplar, with oblong ovate leaves, toothed about the edges, white underneath, with a fcarcely vifible down, and the veins form- ing a fine net-work: the ftipules are re- markably refinous. Mereu- Of the order Enneandria there is an herb, rialis. frequent under hedges and in woods, called Dog’s Mercury *: the flowers have a three- parted calyx, and no corolla; in fome there are nine or twelve ftamens, with globular, twin anthers; in others, on a diftinct plant, two ftyles, and a two-grained, two-celled capfule, containing one feed in each cell. The fpecies here meant is diftinguifhed * Populus nigra Lin. Mill. illuftr, Blackw. 548. & 248. 1. Ger. 1486. 2. ¥ Populus balfamifera AZi//er. angulata. Duham. arb. 2. t. 39. f. 0. * Populus balfamifera Lin, Cat. car, 1. 34. Duh. arb. 2.t. 38.f. 6. Mill. fig. t. 261. * Mercurialis perennis Lin. Curtis, Lond. II. 65. Ger. 333. 1. M, annua, Curt. Lond, V. 68. Ger. 538) 1,2. from DIOECIA, 459 from the reft by its very fimple unbranched ftem, and its rough leaves. In the order Monadelphia you will find a Juni- genus of trees under the title of Fumzper, pervs including not only the Juniper properly fo called, which is rather a fhrub than a tree, but alfo the Savin, and American or Sweet Cedars, &c. The ftaminiferous flowers in this genus are borne on an ament, the fcales of which form the calyx of each flower, having no corolla, but only three ftamens : the piftilliferous flowers have a fmall, per- manent, three-parted calyx, growing to the germ, which is below the flower; they have a corolla of three petals, three ftyles, and a three-feeded berry, with three tuber- cles of the unequal calyx on the lower part, and three little teeth at top from the re- mains of the petals. Common “funiper® has three fpreading, pointed leaves, coming out together, that are longer than the berry, Savin‘ has oppofite, erect, decurrent leaves, with the oppofitions boxed into each other along the branches; they are fhort and acute: this fhrub fpreads out much hori- zontally, rifing little in height. There are feveral {pecies of Cedar natives of America, Bermudas Cedar À is that which is imported for cafing black lead in pencils, was for- » Juniperus communis Lin. Mill. illuftr. Duham. Lan ser 1992; \1.. Park:NIDA0;: 1. € Juniperus Sabina Zin, Blackw. 214. ¢ Juniperus bermudiana Lin. Herm. lugdb. t. 347. merly I L 460 Taxus. LETTER XXIX. merly ufed for wainfcoting rooms, and now for fhips in the Weft Indies, the worms not attacking this kind of wood. The fpe- cific diftinétion is from the leaves; the lower ones being threefold, the upper two- fold*, decurrent, fubulate, fpreading, and acute. Our plantations of fhrubs have alfo the Red Virginia", Carolina, and Barbadoes® Cedars; and there are others which are na- tives of the fouthern parts of Europe . The baleful Yew! is of the fame order : the flowers have no corolla, nor, properly fpeaking, any calyx, unlefs we allow the three or four-leaved bud to be fuch: on fome trees they will be found to have many ftamens, terminated by peltate, eight-cleft anthers; on others, to have an ovate, pointed germ, ending in an obtufe ftigma without any ftyle, the germ becoming a kind of berry, or rather fucculent recepta- cle, with one feed in it, having the top naked: thefe flowers all come out from the axils of the leaves, which are linear, end in a fharp point, and are ranged in a double Sight aries row clofe together along the mid-rib; the ¢ Miller fays fourfold and imbricate. f Juniperus virginiana Lin. Sloan. jam. 2. t, 157. ie & Juniperus barbadenfis Zin. Pluk. alm. 1097. 4. Hort! angl. t5 f 9 * Juniperus thurifera, phoenicia, lycina, Oxyce- drus Lin. Taxus baccata Lin. Evel. filva by Hunter, p. 257. Duham, t. 86. Ger. 1370. Park. 1412. berry DIOECHIA; : 461 berry is red, and mawkifhly fweet—not -poifonous, though the leaves certainly ‘are fo. I will now finifh our examination of this Rufcus. clafs, and clofe this letter, with the fingu- lar genus of Rufcus, the flowers of which have a fix-leaved calyx, no corolla, but an ovate inflated neftary, perforated at top, in the centre of the flower: the ftaminiferous flowers have no filaments, but only three anthers, fitting on the top of the neétary, and united at the bafe, whence this genus is of the order Syngenefia: the piltilliferous flowers have one ftyle, and a germ hid within the nectary, which becomes a globofe, three-celled berry, containing two globofe feeds. ‘The common fpecies, which we call Butcher’s Broom, or Knee Holly *, bears its flowers in the middle of the leaves, on their upper furface; thefe are of the fhape and fize of myrtle leaves, but ftiffer, and end in prickly points ; the berries are red, and almoft as large as cherries: in another {pecies’ the flowers are produced on the under furface of the leaves: in a third™ they are produced alfo underneath, but are protected by a leaflet, whereas in the other {pecies they are naked: a fourth” flowers © Rufcus aculeatus Liv. Mill. illuftr. Blackw. 155. Duham.t. 59. Ger. 907. Park. 253. : * Rufcus Hypophyllum Zin. Col. ecphr. 1. t. 165. Le ™ Rufcus Hypogloffum Zin. Col. t. 165. f. 2. ? Rufcus androgynus Lin. Dill. elth. t. 250. f. 332. from as 462 LETTER XXIX:. from the margin of the leaves: and the Alexandrian Laurel’, which is a fpecies of Rufcus, from long racemes at the ends of the branches; the flowers of this are complete, and therefore the plant ought not to be found in this clafs, but fince it is evidently of this genus naturally, Linnæus has left it with its own family, choofing rather to violate the laws of his own arbi- trary fyftem than thofe of nature. The ftalks of this are flender and pliable; the leaves are rounded at the’bafe, but end in acute points; they are fmooth, and of a very lucid green: the flowers are of an herbaceous yellow colour, and are fucceeded by berries like thofe of our Butcher’s broom, but fmaller. With this beautiful evergreen I leave you, dear coufin, till the next letter. ° Rufcus racemofus Lin. Mor. hift. f. 13. t. 5. f, 14. LETTER ( 463 ) DETTE RE KK, THE CLASS POLYGAMIA. June the r4th, 1777. “HERE are fome perfons, dear cou- fin, who think the twenty-third clafs—Palygamia, might have been {pared, and the plants comprifed in it? ranged in the other claffes, according to the number, fituation, proportion, &c. of the ftamens. But let us take things as we find them, without enquiring too deeply into the me- rits, of what, after all, is of no great im- portance. The eflence of this clafs confifts in having complete flowers, accompanied by one or both forts of incomplète ones, either on the fame or different individuals. The latter circumftance furnifhes the cha- racter of the three orders. The firft order of this clafs having the complete and incomplete flowers always on the fame plant, is hence entitled Monecia. You may perhaps remember, that fome of the grafles were taid to be of this order 3; here alfo are the Plantain-tree and Ba- nana*: Valantia or Croffwort, which you Valantia. P Genera 34, fpecies 224. 3 See letter XIII. * Mufa paradifiaca & fepiéntum Lin, Trew. Ehr. t, 18—23. may 464 Parieta- ria. LECT Baa LES may find in hedges and bufhy places, and will evidently perceive to be of a natural tribe * you have met with before: there is ufually one complete flower in this genus, accompanied on each fide with an incom- plete ftaminiferous one; the former has the corolla four-parted, four ftamens, a bifid ftyle, and one feed; the latter have the co- rolla trifid in fome fpecies, quadrifid in others; three ftamens in fome, four in others, and an obfcure piftil; none of the flowers have any calyx: frequently thefe plants produce incomplete flowers only, and therefore no feed; owing, I prefume, to their running fo much at the root. Our wild fpecies* is one of thofe which have the incomplete flowers quadrifid, and it has two leaves to each peduncle, which fupports about eight flowers, with yellow corollas ; there are four leaves to each whorl, and they, with the whole plant, are covered with foft hairs. Pellitory of the Wall has two complete flowers, with one piftilliferous flower be- tween them, within a fix-leaved invotucre ; they have a four-cleft calyx, no corolla, one tyle, and one feed: the complete flowers are diftinguifhed by having four ftamens ; the other has none. Our common fpe- $ Stellate: fee letter XV. * Valantia Cruciata Lin. Blackw. t. 76. Mor. hift. Lot are 1.. 5 Gere 1123. y cles POLYGAMIA, 465 cies * has broad lance-fhaped leaves, dicho- tomous or forked peduncles, and two-leaved calyxes: the piftilliferous flowers are qua- drangular and pyramidal. Atriplex, or Orach, has fuch affinity with Atriplex. Chenopodium or Goofefoot, that, as Linnæus obferves, if Orache had only complete flow- ers it would be a Goofefoot ; and if this had piftilliferous flowers, it would be an Orache. Moft of thefe are common weeds on dunghills, or on the fea-coaft. Acer, or Maple, is a tree in which you may Acer. examine the character of the clafs and order at your eafe. The flowers are produced in bunches; the lower ones complete, and thofe which are towards the end ftamini- ferous: they have a quinquefid calyx, a corolla of five petals; the complete flowers have befides all this one piftil, and two or three capfules, joined at the bafe, flat, each terminating in alarge, membranaceous wing, and containing one feed. The Great Maple, commonly called Sycomore*, has five-lobed leaves unequally ferrate, and the flowers in large racemes. Common Maple “ has lobed leaves, obtufe, and emarginate; generally they are divided half way into three lobes, “ Parietaria officinalis Zin. Curtis, Lond, IV. 63. Pian. 521. Grer. 221: Park, 497. * Acer Pfeudoplatanus Liz. Evel. filva by Hunter, p. ‘89g. Duham. 't.'9. ‘Ger. 1484.1. ‘Park. 1425. 1. w Acer campeftre Lin, Ger. 1484. 2. Hunt. Evel. filva, p. 183. and Pl. 33. of this work. Hh the 466 Mimofa. I hd BIR Tee. the fide ones obtufely femi-bifid, the mid- dle one femi-trifid; the upper leaves rather cut into five lobes: the bunches of flowers are fmaller. This tree grows much in hedges. The famous Minofa or Senfitive belongs to this firft order of the clafs Polygamia. The flowers have a five-toothed calyx, a five-cleft corolla, and five or more ftamens: the complete flowers have alfo one piftil, and a legume for a feed-veflel. This genus is very numerous, but all the fpecies are not endued with the fenfitive quality. That which is moft common in the iflands of the Weft Indies, and in our ftoves*, has the {tems armed with fhort recurved fpines; pinnate leaves compofed of four or five pairs of leaflets, whofe bafe joins at a point where they are inferted into the petiole, {preading upwards like the fingers of the hand; the flowers come out from the axils on fhort pe- duncles, in {mall globular heads, the corol- _ las are yellow; they are fucceeded by fhort, flat, jointed pods, with two or three orbi- cular, bordered, comprefied feeds in each. Some fpecies move much more:readily than others; fome drop the leaflets only, and others drop the petioles of the whole leaf alfo. The true Egyptian Acacia’, and many other Acacias, having the fame cha- racters, are included in this genus: they * Mimofa pudica Lin. Comm. hort. 1. t. 29. ÿ Mimofa nilotica Lin, are POLYGAMIA.. 467 are too tender to flower much in our climate. Three-thorned Acacia” is of another ge- Gleditfia nus, and indeed of another order — Dviecia: for it has the ftaminiferous flowers in a long, compact, cylindric ament, with fome complete ones generally at the end of it; and, on a diftinét plant, piftilliferous flow- ers on loofe aments. ‘The complete flow- ers have a quadrifid calyx, a four-petalled corolla, fix ftamens, one piftil, and a le- gume: the ftaminiferous flowers have a three-leaved calyx, a corolla of three pe- tals, and fix ftamens: and the piftilliferous flowers have a five-leaved calyx, a five- petalled corolla, one piftil, and a legume. The common fpecies is diftinguifhed from the other * by its large na which have generally two fmaller ones, coming out from the fide: they are axillary, and are often produced in clufters at the knots of the ftem : the leaves are pinnate, and have ten pairs of {mall leaflets. In America, its native country, this tree is called Honey Locuft. The A/h-tree is alfo of this fecond order : Fraxinus. having on fome trees complete flowers, on other ~ piltilliferous ones, each frequently accompanied by the others; they have ei- ther a four-parted calyx or none, a corolla Gleditfia triacanthos Zin. Duham. 1. t. 105. Hort. angl. t. 21. @ Gleditfia inermis Lin. Mill, fig. pl. 5. Penta of 468 Ficus, LET TER XXX of four petals or none, and one piftil: the complete flowers have alfo two ftamens, and one lance-fhaped feed. Common Afh» has pinnate leaves, with five pairs of leaflets, flightly ferrate on the edge; the flowers have neither calyx nor corolla, and are pro- duced in loofe bunches from the fides of the branches. Flowering Afh* has the leaflets ferrate; the flowers are furnifhed both with calyx and corolla; and are in large loofe bunches at the ends of the branches. The American or Carolina Afb 4, has the leaflets quite entire, and the petioles round. Of the third order—Triecia, we have the Fig, which though it bears flowers that are viñble, yet conceals them within the fruit, and therefore may lead us well enough to the clafs Cryptogamia. What we call the fruit of the Fig Linnæus names the receptacle, or common calyx of the flowers; he defcribes it as being top-fhaped, flefhy, converging, clofed at the broad end with feveral fcales, and having the infide covered with little flowers, complete and incomplete ; fometimes in the fame fruit, and fometimes on different trees: the fta- miniferous flowers have a three-parted ca- lyx, and three ftamens; the piftilhferous flowers have a five-parted calyx, one piftil, > Fraxinus excelfior Lin. Evelyn’s filva by Hunter, p. 145. Blackw. 328. Duham.t. 101. Ger. 1472. © Fraxinus Ornus Zin. Mill. illuftr. Hort. angl. t. 9. # Fraxinus americana Lim Catefb. car, 1. 80. anG: POLYGAMIA. 409 and one roundifh, flatted feed; neither of them have any corolla. Our common or eat- able Fig* is diftinguifhed by its palmate leaves: the different fruits are but varieties arifing from the fame feed. ‘The hiftory and œconomy of this fingular tree, as re- lated by naturalifts and travellers, will be an agreeable relaxation to you amidft our dry botanical difquifitions. e Ficus Carica Zin. Mill. illuftr. ER Er 3 LETTER L'ETÉ RTXAXTE OF THE NECTARIUM OR NECTARY. June the a1ft, 1777. AVING now gone through all the clafles of confpicuous flowers, we fhould regularly proceed to the laft clafs of the fyftem, in which they are inconfpi- cuous; but having kept on a ftraight courfe for a long time, we will now turn out of it, and take a view of the different appear- ances which the neétary puts on, in the feveral genera of plants wherein it is found. Several of thefe have been curforily men- tioned as characters of the genus; and we have even hinted at the general ufe of the nectary ‘: but we fhall now go farther, and fay, that though this part of the flower has not hitherto been obferved in two hundred genera &, yet that in all probability it exifts in all, if not as a diftinét vifible part, as a gland or pore however, or a fet of glands or pores, exuding that vifcid, {weet juice, fo ufeful fecondarily for the nourifhment of a great variety of infects, and, at the fame time doubtlefs primarily neceflary to the fructification of the plant itfelf. For you f See letters IV. and XVII. 5 Befides the Graffes. 3 will NECTARY. will obferve in monopetalous tubular co- rollas, that though they have no vifible nectary, yet there is a neétareous juice fe- creted into their tube", which is therefore probably provided with glands for this pur- pofe, too minute to be feen with the naked eye, but which an accurate infpection with glaffes might perhaps detect. Polypetalous flowers with open calyxes, having no tube, or bafin for the reception of the neétareous juice, have in general a body deftined to prepare and contain it, in order that it may be difiributed to the furrounding parts of fructification, as itis wanted. In the com- pound and umbellate tribes of plants indeed no nectaries have been remarked, but then you remember, that the whole flower in both of them is fo {mall, that it is no won- der if a part fo minute as the neétary fre- quently is in larger flowers fhould efcape our obfervation in thefe: we may prefume however that they abound in neétareous juice, fince we obferve that infects are par- ticularly fond of thefe tribes. No genus of the clafs Icofandria has any diftinét neétary ; but then the calyx is one-leafed, and forms a commodious bafin for the reception of the nectareous juice, which is frequently very difcernible in it. The verticillate tribe‘ alto is not mentioned by Linnæus as being fur- ? k As particularly in the Honeyfuckle and Aloe. i Didynamia Gymnofpermia Lin. Tihs nifhed 47%, 472 LETTER XXXIe nifhed with vifible neétaries ; nor are they perhaps immediately neceflary here, becaufe the corolla is monopetalous, and the mono- phyllous calyx forms a permanent tube: many genera however of this order have a gland in the bottom of the calyx, furround- ing the bafe of the germ; this is large in the Bugle, and fufficiently vifible in the Dead Nettle. No appearance of the neétary is more common than this of glands. You have al- ready feen* that they are confiderable in feveral genera of the cruciform tribe; that they have furnifhed us with generic charac- ters: and that they are even the caufe of the claffical character itfelf”. It has been juit mentioned that they are found in the verticillate or labiate tribe: and many ge- nera, difperfed in various parts of the fyf- tem, have this glandular nectary. Thus Plukenetia (1080) ™ has four glands at the bafe of the filaments, as in the clafs Terra- dynanua. Cercis (510) has a ftyle-form gland under the germ. Lathræa (743) and Orobanche (779) have a gland at the bafe of the germ. Caffyta (505) has three glands; Echites (299), and Tabernæmontana 301), have five; Hernandia (1049) has k Letter XXIII, 1 See letter II. IV. and V. compared with letter XXIII. ™ The figures refer to the number of the genus in Linnzeus’s genera and fyftema. fix NECTARY. fix or four, furrounding the germ; and : Grielum (1235) has a fet of oblong glands, round the germ, uniting into a little crown, Malprehia (572) has two glands at the bot- tom and on the outfide of each leaf of the calyx: in Banifferia (573) the cafe is the fame, except that one foliole of the calyx has no glands, and therefore the whole number is eight; whereas in the other it is ten. Refeda (698) has a gland arifing from the receptacle between the ftamens and the upper petal : and (Croton 1083) has five of them, fixed to the receptacle. Aftronium (1111) has five glands in the difk of the flower. Cucurbita (1091), or the gourd genus, has a. fingle, triangular, concave eland i in the centre of the flower: and in the Salix (1098), or Willow, the fituation is the fame, but the form of it is cylindric. Another very ufual form of the nectary is fCales, which are in truth but flatted glands. Monnieria (850), and Vicia (873), or the Vetch genus, have one fcale only, at the bafe of the germ. Cufcuta (170), or Dodder, has ne {cales, at the bafe of the ftamens. But many have five fcales: as. Parnaffia® (384); at the bafe of the fila- ments in Schrebera (319), Quaffia (529), and Melaftoma (544); between the ftamens in Trefine (1113); at the bafe of the germ, in Craffula (392), Cotyledon (578), and Se- " See Plate 34. f, 3. “um 473 474 LE Lt ER, SIN dum (579); furrounding the receptacle, in Samyda (543); or at the bafe of the petals, in Erythoxylon (575), Ranunculus° (699), Grewia (1026), and Kiggelaria (1128). Amaryllis(406), and Leontice (423), have fix {cales; without the bafe of the laments in the firft, and inferted into the bafe of the petals in the fecond. Not unfrequently does the nectary appear in the fhape of valves, which are generally five in number; in P/umbago (213) placed at the bottom of the corolla, and inclofing the germ; furrounding the germ in Achy- ranthes (288); and covering the receptacle in Campanula (218) and Roella (219). Af- phodel (421) has fix of thefe valves, inferted into the bafe of the corolla, and forming a complete arch over the germ; a filament fpringing from each of them’. In Erythronium (414) there are two cal- lous tubercles at the bafe of each inner pe- tal; in the Laurus (503) genus’, three tubercles round the germ; and two round glands, on a fhort ftalk, near the bafe of each filament of the inner rank. In fome fpecies of Jris there are three dots’ at the bafe and on the outfide of the corolla; in Tamus (1119) an oblong dot grows to the infide of each divifion of the calyx; and in another genus, Swertia (321), are ten of + Plate 34. f. 4. P Plate 34. f. 7. * See letter XIX. tT Puncta. thefe NEC TARE Y. thefe dots; two at the bafe of each divifion of the corolla, furrounded with briftles. In the Hyacinth* (427) there are three pores at the top of the germ: and in both the genera of Fritillaria (411), and Uvularia (412), there is an excavation at the bafe of each petal: in the Crown Imperial this is confiderable, and generally exhibits a large drop of neétareous juice’. Mercurialis (1125) ° has two fubulate acumens or fharp points, one on each fide of the germ; and Vallifueria (1097) has a cufpis on each petal. You remember the beautiful appearance that the nectary made in fome {pecies of ris" as a longitudinal villous line upon the petals: in the Li/y (410) it is a pipe or tubulous line along the middle of each pe- tal: and in Frankenia (445) it is a channel running along the claw. In fome genera the ne¢tary takes the exact form of petals, and was always confounded with them until Linnzus pointed out the difference: this is the cafe with feveral plants of the firft clafs”, and with Lecythis (664) in the thirteenth; in all thefe it is of one petal only : in Galanthus (401), or Snowdrop, it confifts of three parallel, notch- * Our wild Hyacinth (H. non fcriptus) has not thefe pores, or at leaft they are not vilible to the naked eye. tee Plate 24. (0. « Letter XXIX. “Letter XIV. “See PI 340 fe 5. # Letter XI. ed, 475 476 LETTERCXXXT, ed, obtufe, petal-like leaflets, forming a evlinder about half the length of the corolla. Tihcium (611) has feveral awl- fhaped folioles of the fame length with the petals them- felves. Cardiofpermum (498) has a four- petalled neétary inclofing the germ; and in Hartogia (273), Sauvagefia (286), and He- héleres (1025), it is made up of five petals, Andrachne (1095) has five femi-bifid her- baceous folioles, lefs than the petals, and placed between them. All the Grafes, Rice (448), and Mays (1042), agree in hav- ing a nectary of two minute, oblong leaf- lets. Swietenia (521), Melia (525), and Melianthus (795), have a one-leafed neétary, with a many-toothed mouth in the two firft, and in the laft within the loweft di- vifion of the calyx, to which it grows. In Mufa (1141) alfo, the neétary 1s one boat- fhaped leaf, comprefied, pointed, and in- ferted within the bofom of the petal. Ten converging leaflets, inclofing the germ, form the “neétary of Zyeophyllum (530); each leaflet being fixed to the bafe of each filament. Dalechampia (1081) has a broad nectary, compofed of many ovate, flat plates, in feveral rows. I*have mentioned before, that in tubu- lous corollas the neétareous juice is fe- creted into the tube: in many genera there is a horn or {pur at the back of “the flower, which anfwers this purpofe of a recipient. Several plants have occurred in the courfe of NECTARY. of our examinations with a nectary of this form; as Tropæolum (466), Lark/pur * (681), AconiteY (682), Columbine (684), Antirrhinum (750), Fumitory (849), Vi ae (1007), lmpatiens(1008), and Orchis( 1009): to thefe we may add Prrguiculz (30), or Butterwort, Utricularia (31), and Valerian (44). In fome {pecies of Antirrhinum the horn is blunted, and becomes rather a bag; which is alfo its fhape in the Satyrium ge- nus (1010). The genera of this tribe are remarkable for their nectaries; in Ophrys (1011) it hangs down from the corolla, longer than the petals, and is keeled at the back part ; in Serapias (1012) it is of the fame length with the petals, ovate, gib- bous below, and with an ovate lip; in Lz- modorum (1013) it is of the fame length with the petals, of one leaf, concave, ftand- ing on a pedicle, and within the loweft pe- tal; in Arethufa (1014) it is of one leaf, tubulous at the bottom of the ringent co- rolla, and connate with it; in Cypripedium (1015), or Ladies-Slipper, as you have feen before *, it is very large and inflated; and in Epidendrum (1016) it is tubulous at the bafe, turbinate or top-fhaped, with an ob- fique bifid mouth. Thus you obferve that all the genera of this tribe have fingular nectaries; whereas in the three clafies with * Plate 24.8 2. Y Plate 34. f. 1. z Letter XX VII. conjoined 477 478 LETTER XXXI. conjoined filaments fcarcely any are to be found*. The numerous genus of Carex (1046), or Sedge, has an inflated, permanent ne€tary, contracting above, and toothed at top, where it gapes, but continues to inveft the feeds in Ru/cus (1139) alfo it is inflated and open at top, it is ovate, erect, and of the fame fize with the calyx. In many genera the neétary takes the form of fome well-known utenfil or other thing. Thus in Staphylea (374), Tinus (504), Winterana (598), and Urtica(1054), or N on it is Uj cage or Pitcher-/haped. In Narciffus® (403), and Pancratium (404), it is Fein be: In Epimedium (148) it is Cyathiform or Goblet-/haped. In Bytine- ria (268), Theobroma (900), or Chocolate, Ayenia 1020), and Kkinhovia (1024), it is Bell-fhaped. In Ciffampelos (1138) it is Wheel-Jhaped: and in Epidendrum (1016), Poplar (1123), and Gleditfia (1159), it is turbinate, or fhaped like a boy’s top, nar- row at bottom, and fpreading out above. The moft beautiful of thefe neétaries is the Crown-fhaped: in Diofma this is placed on the germ; in O/ax (45), Hamamelis (169), Nerium “ 97) or Oleander, Periploca (303), Silene (567), and Cherleria (570), it termi- nates the tube of the corolla: but in the Pajfion-flower (1021) it is a triple crown or * In ALonadelphia and Polyac elphia only one in each; and in Diadelphia three. » See Plate 14. f. 2. 8 glory, NECTARY. glory, the outer one longeft, furrounding the ftyle °. In Garidella (571), Nigella (685), and Hellebore* (702), the nectaries are bilabiate ; the firft has five, the fecond has eight, and the third has an uncertain. number: Trollius (700) has nine linear, flat, bent bodies, perforated at the bafe, on the in- fide; and Jfopyrum (701) has five equal, tubulous, fhort neétaries, with a trilobate mouth, inferted into the receptacle, within the petals. In Arum (1028) the nectaries refemble the filaments of ftamens, only that they thicken at bottom; they come out in two rows from the middle of the fpadix. In Peganum (601) the filaments themfelves are dilated into neétaries at the bafe. In Fevillea (1118) they confift of five com- prefied bent thr eads, placed alternately with the ftamens. In Trichilia (528) the nec- tary is cylindric, and tubulous, formed out of the ten filaments, fhorter ‘han the pe- tals, and with a five-toothed mouth. You have obferved that many neëtaries already mentioned have an intimate con- nexion with the germ; it is a fituation fo common with this part of the flower, that fome perfons have fufpeéted the fole or prin- cipal ufe of it to be to fupply and fofter the germ. Accordingly there are feveral other © See Plate 30. PRE 24: £8: genera, £ D: LEA PERS Exe. genera, in which it is thus placed. Itt Mirabilis (242), or Marvel of Peru, it is globofe, permanent, and inclofes the germ; in Ciflus (147), Celofia (289), Limeum (463), and Phyllanthus (1050), it is a ring furrounding the germ: in Cynanchunt ( 304) it is cylindric, with a five-toothed mouth; in Apocynum (305), AfClepias (306), and Stapelia (307), it is made up of five bodies, which in the fecond and third entirely con- ceal the ftamens and piftils, and in the third forms a double ftar: all of them about the germ. In Gualtheria (551) it is made up of ten fhort, awl-fhaped, ere& bo- dies, furrounding the germ, between the ftamens. It muft not be diflembled however, that whatever ufe thefe bodies may be of to the germ, when they adhere to it, or are near it; they are frequently found on other parts of the fruétification. Many inftances of this have already occurred, and to thefe we may add, that they are found on the petals in Bromelia (39 5)» growing to each of the three, above the bafe; in Berberis (442), or the Barberry, in two roundifh orange- coloured bodies at the bafe of each; in Her- mannia(828),each petal having alittle mem- brane, forming all together a ‘cowled tube; in Hydrophy lium (204), and Reaumuria (686), in /amime or plates growing to them ; in Myofurus (394); being five awl- fhaped bodies. ae nectary is * found a 7 the. NE CTAR Ye the calyx in Tropæolum mentioned before, in Monotropa (536), in fome fpecies of Bi/- cutella (808), and in Malpighia, mentioned alfo before among thofe which have glan- dular ne¢taries. This part is a globofe gland on the exterior tip of the anthers in the Adenanthera (526), at the bafe of them in Ambrofinia (1238): and on the filaments in form of glands in Diéfamnus (522), in form of fcales in Zygophyllum (530), placed ho- rizontally on the real filaments in Commelina (62); and in Plumbago, Campanula, and Roella, mentioned before. And, laftly, the nectaries are not unfrequently placed on the receptacle; as in Lathrea (743), Clutia (1140), Mehanthus (795), and iome others: but thefe are fo clofe to the germ, which takes its rife from the fame bate, that they may very well be fuppofed to be placed there for its ufe. | | But what fhall we fay when we find thé nectary, in the incomplete ftaminiferous flowers, which have no germ; as in W/- Jow (1098), Afironium (1111), Irefine (111g), Fevillea (1118), Poplar (1123), Rhodiola (1124), Kiggelaria (1128), Ci/- Jampelos (1138), Rufeus (1139), Clutia (1140), and Ophioxylon (1142). In all thefe cafes it certainly cannot be of any im- mediate ufe to the germ, which is not only on a diftin& flower but on a different plant: this however being the moft important part of the vegetable, fince it is deftined by na- Ti ture 48: 482 LÉTTER Ext. ture t6 produce a new one of the farfie kind; and all the other parts of the flower bide in fome meafure fubfervient to this, what- foever is immediately ufeful to thefe may. fairly be faid to be mediately fer'viceable to the germ. But let us return to our hiftory of faéts, and finifh this dry difcuffion, which I fhould not have troubled you with, if F could have directed you to any author where you might find the different forms and fituations of the nectary regiftered in one view ©. Hitherto you “have obferved that this beautiful part of the flower is generally fingle, though in many cafes formed of fever portions : in fome genera however s double. Thus in Kiainerte (161), die are two neétaries, one above another; in Stapelia, as you have already feen, a double ftar, both flat and quinquefid, the lower with hnear divifions torn at the end, furrounding the ftamens and germs, the upper with acute, entire divitignis covering them: fomething of the fame kind is ob. fervable alfo in Ajelepias, the very fingular itructure of whofe flowers is particularly deferving of your attention. Paullinia (497) alfo, and Sapmdus (499) have two neéta- ries, very different from each other; the * When I writ this letter, I entirely forgot that there was a diflertation on the fame fubje& printed in the 6th volume of the Amenitates Academice. The learned reader may compare that treatife with this. one NECTARY. oie. confifting of four petals inferted into the claws of the real petals, the other of four glands at their bates. 1 may here ob- ferve, that though the general ufe of the nectary, as the name implies, be to pour out the nectareous juice; yet it does not feem that all the bodies to which Linnæus has given the name ferve that purpofe: fuch may probably be the cafe in one of thete néétaries of the genera before us, and perhaps of others, where this part is dou- ble. Laitly, C/atia (1140) has two fets of ncétaries, one within the other; the outer of five three-parted, oblong bodies, placed in a ring within the petals, and of the fame length with their claws; the inner of five little glands, which are certainly mellifer- ous at top: it is obfervable that in the pif- tilliferous flowers of this genus there are no glands or inner neétaries, and the outer ones are of the fame fize, and in the fame fitua- tion, but differ in form, being roundifh and didymous, or twinned. | Concerning the form and variations in the other parts of the fru@ification, which fur- nifh the generic character of vegetables, enough is to be found in the elementary books *: of the leaves alfo, together with thofe other parts and circumftances, furnifh- ing characters for the differences of about ten thoufand one hundred fpecies, which f Lec’s Introduction; Rofe’s Elements of Botany, &c. & i Oe is 483 LETTER. XXXI. ts the whole number of plants at prefent atranged #, there is no want of inftruétion in the fame authors, tranflated from Lin- næus’s original work. I fhall only remark to you therefore, that a more minute attention and accurate obfervation of vegetables, dif- covered to Linnæus parts that former bo- tanifts had pafied by unnoticed; and that his fuperior fagacity and genius enabled him to make a much more extenfive ufe of fuch as were already known. ‘The parts I now allude to, are what he calls Fu/cra, props or fupports of the plant. Among thefe the arms or weapons, that is, thorns and prickles; clafpers or tendrils; fome forts of pubefcence; and perhaps glands, in fome few fpecies had been noticed; but in a manner very loofe and imperfeët : but the fiipule, which is a {cale at the bafe of the petioles; and the draéfe, which is a fcale or {mall leaf next the flower, had not been fo much as named; nor had any one thought of ufing thefe feven important though mi- nute parts for diftinguifhing the fpecies, a bufinefs to which they are fo well adapt- ed, both by their conftancy and abundant variety. He has alfo taken in other circumftances very happily, befides the mere form, to fur- nifh {pecific differences, and for other pur- € In the 14th edition of Syftema Vegetabilium.— lo thefe however a confiderable number has been fince added, from the South-fea iflands, and other places. pofes ; NECTAR Y. pofes ; fuch as the mode and degree of ra- mification in leaves and branches, the z#40r- fom, or manner of turning or bending in the ftems; the gemmation, or various con- ftruétion of the buds; the fo/ation, or dif- ferent folding of the leaves before they are expanded; the :flore/cence, or manner in whith flowers are connected to the plant by their peduncles: all thefe, together with fome others, which I have pafled over, will occafionally furnifh you with marks to dif- tinguifh plants from each other, even more certain in fome cafes than the form itfelf, and therefore highly worthy of your atten- tion; but I have already trefpafied on that too long, and will leave you to your leifure and more important concerns, 435 ( 486 ) LETTER XXXII, THE CLASS CRY PTOGAMIA. Oétober the 4th, 1797. 71 HAVE at length found time, dear cous fin, to fend you my laft letter où the tubject of Botany. I have not haftened it, becaufe you have found full employment during the fummer, either in examining fuch plants as had efcaped you before, or in fearching for their nectaries and other more minute parts. You have alio by this time difcovered, that the ftudy or amutfe- ment which you have taken up, is not the | affair of a fingle feafon. As to the laft and loweft clafs of vege- tables—Cryptogama, I {hall at prefent touch it very flightly, becaufe, though full of beauties, when examined with that atten- tion which fuch {mall bodies require, it is much too difficult for our young coufin, and will probably be uninterefting even to you, unlefs you have already imbibed a greater paflion for Botany than I wifh you to have. The objeéts alfo of this clafs muft be fearched for in places, and at a feafon, by no means agreeable to your delicacy ; and I will not have you rifk your health, the moft precious gift of heaven, even in purfuit CRYPTOG. FIL, purfuit of the moft delightful knowledge. Gentle exercife, fuch as a proper attention to the ftudy of nature will induce you to take, accompanied with that cheerfulnefs, regularity, and temperance, for which you are fo confpicuous, is your beft fecurity for a continuance of this blefling; and that you may enjoy it uninterrupted to a period yet diftant, my good wifhes fhall not be wanting. Mea are already acquainted with the meaning of the name Cryplogamia, and the character of the clafs*: you are alfo mif- trefs of the four orders into which it is di- vided, together with their characters, fuch as they are’. I have only therefore to pre- fent you with a few of the moft obvious fpecies in each order, wherein the ge- neric and fpecific characters are the leaft inconfpicuous. The number of genera in this clafs are fifty-one, of fpecies eight hundred and fifty- eight, FERN S. The plants of the firft order—the Ferns, are as large, and oftentimes as fpecious, as thofe of the foregoing clafies: it is apparent alfo to the naked eye, that there is a fruc- tification, though the parts of it are not À See page 105. ' See page 114, &c. iat diftin. 484 488 Equile. tum. Ophio- gloffum. LETTER “SXxXIi. diftinguifhable. The general face of this, as it appears to the microfcope, has been already defcribed *. | In general the fructification in this order of Ferns is on the back of the leaves; that however is not univerfal. For inftance, in the genus Eguifetum, or Horfetail, it is ina fpike, each feparate fru@tification being pel- tate, and gaping at its many-valved bafe ; Hedwig has determined the flowers of the Horfetails and Adder’s-tongue to be herma- phrodite. Corn Horfetail! has thefe {pikes on a naked ftem, and other leafy barren {tems come up later in the feafon. Wood Flor fetaii™ has the leaves compound, or di- vided, and the {pikes at the end of the fame flems. A {pecies common in ditches* has fcarcely any leaves, and is perfectly fmooth ; in which circumftance alone it differs from the Shave-gra/s° ufed in polifh- ing, which is rough. . Ophrogloffum allo, or Adder’ s-tongue, has the fructifications on a fpike, in a jointed row along each fide of it; when they are ripe, thefe joints gape tran{verfely. Our * Letter X. l Equifetum arvenfe Lin. Curtis, Lond, IV. 64. Ger. 1114. ™ Equifetum fylvaticum Zi. Ger. 1114. Hedw. theor. f. 1. 7. * Equiietum limofum Lin. Ray. fyn. t. 5+ f. 2. * Equifetum hyemale Lin. Ger. 1113. common CRYPTOG. ALGÆ. 489 common fpecies?, which is found in moift meadows, may be known by the frond or leaf being ovate. Of nunda likewife has a fpike diftinét from Ofmunda, the frond; it is branching, and each com- ponent fructification is “globular. Moon- wort’, which grows on ‘dry paftures, has one waked item, and one pinnate frond, forming the whole of this little Fern. Fite ering fora or Ofinund Royal’, a large {pe- cies found on bogs, has bipinnate fronds, bearing the fructifications in a raceme at top. Rough Spleenwort* has lanceolate, pinnatifid tronds, with the divifions con- fluent, quite entire and parallel: thefe are of two forts; the narrower being covered with fructifications on their backs, and the broader being barren. ‘This therefore re- cedes from the character of the genus, in having a fertile frond inftead of a fpike, diftinét from the barren one. The remaining genera have the fructifica- Acrottiy tions invariably on the back of the fronds, ur In Acroftichum they cover the whole difk. In Preris they are to be found only round Preris. ? Ophioglofflum vulgatum Zin. FI, dan, 147. Mor. hift. £ ra,.t. 5. f. 1. , Ger; 404. Hedwy theor: > 20—23. | 4 Ofmunda Lunaria Zin. FI. dan. t. 18. Mor. Mit. L 14,4 Get. 1. | Ger: 405. * Ofmunda regalis Lin. FI, dan. t. 217. Ger, 3K. $ Ofmunda Spicant Lin, Curtis, Lond. II. 67. Ger. 1140. Hedwig theor. f. 24—29. & PI. 35. of this work. the 49° Afple- nlum. Polypo- dium. LETTER XXXII. the edge: the common Fern or Brake', which is fo abundant in uncultivated grounds and woods, has fupradecompounded, or triply-pinnate fronds, the leaflets pinnate, the lobes lance-fhaped; the loweft pinnae tifid, and the upper ones lefs. Afplenium has the fructifications in lines, that are frequently parallel. Hart’s-tongue* has fimple fronds, heart-tongued, that is drawn out into length, and hollowed next the petiole; quite entire, and the petioles fhaggy ; this grows on rocks and in fhady places. ‘There are feveral fmaller fpecies with pinnate or decompounded leaves, not uncommon on walls and rocks, In Polypody the fruétifications are in dif- tinct roundifh dots, placed in rows, and in- creafing fo much in fize, as they advance to maturity, that they occupy the whole of the difk in fome fpecies, and great part of itin others, Common Polypody * has pin- natifid fronds, the p/n#as or lobes oblong, a little toothed and obtufe; the root is {caly: this is common on trees, walls, and rocks. Many fpecies that are generally called Ferns, from the difpofition of the fructifications, are of this genus: of thefe, that which js moft common has vulgarly * Pteris aquilina Lin. Blackw. t. 325. Ger. 1128. * Afp'enium Scolopendrium Lin. Curtis, Lond. I. 67 er. 1138. * Polypodium vulgare Zin. Curtis, Lond, 1. 68. Ger, 1132. 3 the CRYPTOG. MUSCI, 493 the name of Male Fern’, and is found in woods, heaths, and on rocks, not covering the ground like the Brake, but in detached parcels : the fronds of this are doubly pin- nate, the pianas or lobes obtufe, and cre- nulate, or flightly notched, and the ftem cha Ty. Lai tly , Adianthum has the fruétifications Adian. in term in il pots, under the margin of the thume frond, which is folded back. nu Maiden- bair*, which is uted, or fuppofed to be fo, in the ivrup of capillaire, is of this genus, and has decompounded fronds, the compo- nent leaves alternate, and the lobes wedge- fhaped, lobate, and pedicelled. It grows, but rarely, on rocks and walls, MOSSES, The plants of the fecond order—the Moffes, have leaves like the more perfect vegetables, diftinét from the ftalk; and in this they differ from the Ferns, in which the ftaik and leaf always, and the frudctifi- cation often, are blended, to form the frond. They are perennial, and when ever fo much dried up, will revive again with moifture ; as Haller experienced in {ome fpecimens of Cafpar Bauhin’s Hortus Siccus, which muft # Polypodium Filix mas Liz. Blackw. t. 323. Vaill, t.9.f.2. Mor. hift. f. 14. t..3. f.6. Ger. 1128. * Adianthum Capillus Veneris Zin. Jacq. mifc. 2. t.7. Ger. 1143. have Lycopo- dium. Sphag- Rum. LE-T'T-ER: XXXL have lain in a dry {tate above a century, You know them by their air, or habit, as botanifts ufually call it. A general idea of their fruétification has been already given’, as far as it is vilible to the naked eye; and we can only hope for a perfect account of it from a laborious examination with glafles of confiderable magnifying powers *. The generic characters of the Mofies are taken from the heads, which are either fef- file, or ele the plant pufhes them up on a flender naked ftem; this Linnzus calls the Anther, but I thall beg leave rather to name it the Cap/u/e*: in four genera ? it is naked, or not covered with a ¢alyptre or veil; in the other feven it is. Lycopodium, or Wolf’s-claw Mo/fs, has a two-valved, feffile capfule, without any calyptre. Sphagnum, or Bog-mo/s, has the capfule covered with a lid, and a {mooth mouth. The gray< fpecies is common on bogs, covering vait tracts of them; and is 7 See letter X. * This has now been done by Hedwig in his Funda- mentum Fiftorie Naturalis Mufcorum Frondoforum. Lip- fiz 1782, quarto; and, Theoria generationis et fruétifi- cationis Plantarum Cryptogamicarum, Petrop. 1784, quarto; both with coloured plates of the parts of fruc- tincation much magnified. * As Linnæus thinks it really is: (See Genera, p. 556,) and Hedwig has fhown it to be. * Lycopodium, Porella, Sphagnum & Phafcum. © Sphagnum palufire Lin. FI, dan, 474. Dillen, ¢. 22.5. I. : known CRYPTOG. ALGÆ, 493 known not only by its hoary appearance; but by its deflected branches. Polytrichum has a capfule covered with a Polytft- lid, fitting on a {mall protuberant eminence, ae which is a kind of receptacle, and is ediled by Linnzus Apophy/fis, by Haller the Dik; the capfule is covered by a villous calyptre. There is a ftar or rofe on a diftin@ indivi- dual, which has been generally taken for the piftilliferous flower; Haller rather thinks it is only a kind of bud, from which new branches fpring. The common fpecies, called Greater Golden Maidenhair *, is known by its fimple ftem, and the parallelopiped form of the capfule. This is a large fort of Mofs, and abundant in woods, heaths, and bogs. The three remaining genera of Mofizs, which are alfo the pr incipal and moft nu- merous, are thus diftinguifhed. Mnium agrees with Polytrichum in having two forts of fructification; the one a lidded cap- fule, covered with a fmooth calyptre: the other a ftar or rofe, in the difk of which are fome globofe little dufty bodies. Bryum and Hypnum have none of thefe ftars or rofes: thefe have both a lidded capfule, covered with a fmooth calyptre, and are diftinguifhed from each other by the ftalk which fupports the capfule being naked, and arifing from a terminal tuber Ae in hee = “4 Polytrichum commune Lin. Dillen. t. 54. f. 1. Ger. 1559. firft ; 494 Mnium. Fryum. LETTER XXXII. firft; whereas in the fecond it fprings from the ‘Gdeor the branch, and is furrounded at bottom by a perichetrum, {ealy fheath, of receptacle. One fpecies of Mnium, whofe filaments or capfular ftalks are fo fenfible of moif- ture, that it has obtained the name of Ay- grometric®, has no ftems; it has nodding turbinate or pear-fhaped capfules, reflex four-cornered calyptres, and ovate leaves forming a head; they are of a yellowifh green, and the filaments are an inch and half high, and red or orange-coloured. One” if the moft common fpecies of Brium is the Aairy*, which covers the old thatch of cottages; this has the capfules rather erect, and the leaves ending in a hair, and recurved. Apple-form Bryum® has large fpherical heads; and in the Pear- form ipecies® they are obovate, covered with an awl-fhaped calyptre; the fhoots are ftemlefs, and the leaves are ovate and awnlefs. Brown Bryum' has ere& roundith capfules, with a pointed lid. This is a * Mnium hygrometricum Zin, FI. dan. 648. f. 2. Dillen. t, 52. f. 75. Mor. hift. f. 15. t. 7. f. 17. f Bryum rurale Lin. Dill. t. 45. F 12. Mo, EL 6 ME & Bryum pomiforme Lin. Dill. t. 44. f. 1. Mor. t. 6. f. 6. h Bryum pyriforme Zin, Dill. t. 44. f. 6. Mor. t. 7. f. 16. & plate 36. of this work. 4 Bryum truncatulum Liz, Curtis, Lond. II. 70. f. 2. very CRYPTOG. ALGÆ, 495 very fmall Mofs, growing clofe to the ground in thick tufts; the filaments are three or four lines high, and when the cap- fules have loft their lid, they have a trun- cated appearance, whence their name. Siky Hypnum*, one of the moft beauti- Hypnum, ful, and not the leaft common of the ge- nus, is known by its creeping fhoots, its crowded erect branches, its awl-fhaped leaves, and erect capfules. This grows both in dry places, fuch as on walls, or trees; and in wet ones, as meadows: in the firft, the leaves are narrow, and prefled clofe to the ftalk ; in the fecond, they are “broader, fpreading, and fhining, like filk’: the capfules are long, round, enlarging a little at bottom, with a flender ciliated mouth, a fcarlet beaked lid, anda pale ca- lyptre; they are fupported by a purple ftalk, or filament, from half an inch to an inch in height, furrounded at the bate by a fhort thick fcaly perichetium. ‘This may ferve as a fpecimen of the numerous fpecies Of Hypnum; and we will now pais on to the third order of the Cryptogamia clas, ‘containing the ALG Es Alge or Flags, which are chiefly the Lichens or Liverworts, Sea-weeds, and * Hypnum fericeum Lin. Curtis, Lond, Il. 69. Dillen, t. 42. f. 59. Mor. t. 5. f. 25. fome -496 . LETTER XXXIF fome few commonly called Mofles, but having in reality the character of this or- ee '. Of thefe laft, Common Marchantia™ de Lichen. Hedw. theor. f. 123—133. -may ferve as an inftance: it grows by ftreams and fountains, in wet fhady places, and on walls fubje& to a drip. There are two diftinct fruétifications in this genus, one ftanding out from the plant on a pedun- cle, and confifting of a peltated calyx or receptacle, covered with {mall one-petalled corollas underneath, each of which has one multifid anther or capfule ; the other feffile, fhaped like a cup or bell, and containing many little roundifh bodies, which fome take for feeds. The fpecies here pointed out is diftinguifhed by the common calyx being ten-cleft : it varies much in its ap- pearance, and hence has its trivial name of many-form. This genus is evidently the connecting link between the Mofles, and the Lichens, which we fhall now examine. The genus of Lichen has a roundifh, flattifh,. fhining receptacle, or common ca- lyx, feldom elevated; and a meal fprinkled over the leaves. ‘The receptacle affording a variety of forms, has fuggefted a fubdi- vifion of this otherwife unweildy genus, the leaf and manner of growth taking their parts init. Lichens abundantly clothe the earth, rocks, and vegetables, efpecially treess 1 See letter X. ™ Marchantia polymorpha Lin. Dillen. t. 76. f. 6. in C'RMPFO GNU ALG. in the form of meal, cruft, leaf, or thread : age, foil, and fituation, make fo great a difference in their appearance, that num- berlefs varieties have been advanced into {pecies. The fections of the genus are, 1. The Tyberculate, confifting of a cruft adhering clofely to the bark of trees, or ftones, above which roundifh tubercles rife a little; thefe are rather irregular, a littled flatted at top, and without any rim round them. Sometimes they run into regular figures, and refemble writing”, or a map® 2. Scutellate, or fuch as have little fhields, or roundifh receptacles with a rim, and the difk fomewhat deprefled, arifing from a granulous cruft more ap- proaching to a leafy ftructure than in the former fection, and not adhering fo ftrongly. 3. Imbricate, compofed of many {mall leaves, generally in an orbicular form, lying over each other, the leaft in the middle, and the largeft on the outfide; from fome of thefe arife little fhields, and others have little mealy tubercles at the ends of the leaves. Nothing is more common than a yellow fpecies? of this fection, on trees, walls, and rocks; the leaflets of it are curled, deep yellow above, and afh-co- loured underneath; the fhields are of a " Lichen fcriptus Liz. Dillen. t. 18. f. 1. ° Lichen geographicus Lin. Dillen. t. 18. f. 5. P Lichen parietinus Liz. Dillen. t.24..f. 76. Wall Liverwort. K k lighter 498 ’ LETTER XXXII. lighter yellow, grow brown with age, and are thick fet towards the middle of the plant ; other fpecimens, inftead of fhields, have a yellow meal fpread over them: the leaves by age become greenifh, and then of a brownifh afh-colour, warted and le- prous. 4. Leafy, properly fo called, con- fitting of one continued leafy fubftance, varioufly laciniate, cut or torn; thefe have generally large, wide fhields, often on pe- duncles, either in the divifions of the leaves, or on their edges. Lungwort or Tree Lichen 1, which hangs from old oaks, and beeches in woods, he very large jagged leaves, {mooth, and ending obtufely ; the upper furface is wrinkled ey pitted, the lower downy: the fhields are of the fize of a lentil, and placed on the edges of the leaves. 5. Coriaceous or Leathery: thefe are alfo leafy, but differ from thofe of the fourth fection in confifting of feveral leaves, of a tougher texture, broader, lefs fharply laciniate, not branching, and ge- nerally adhering clofer to the bodies on which they grow: the receptacles are very large, and from their refemblance to the sound fhields of the ancients, called pe/te ; they are generally on the edges of the leaves, and little or not at all notched on the edges. d/h-coloured Ground Liver- 1 Lichen pulmonarius Lin, Dillen. t. 29. f. 113. Ger. 1566. avort CRYPTOG ALGÆ. vert" Ÿs of this fection: it is creeping, lo- bate, obtufe, and flat; veined underneath, and villous, with a rifing pe/fa or target on the edge: this fpecies is very common on the ground in woods, and on heaths, par- ticularly on old ant-hills: the leaves are afh-coloured, and white underneath. 6. Um- bilicate or hollowed like the navel, and footy, or appearing black, or as if burnt. 7. Cup- -bearing, confifting of a granulous cruft, in procefs of a unfolding into little leve irregularly laciniate : from thefe arife a ftipe or tem fupporting hollow co- nical receptacles refembling little tea-cups or drinking glafles, whofe ‘edge i is often fet with browin (ar slearlae eahercles. DR different appearances of Cup-mo/s are pro- bably but varieties arifing from the different age of the plant. 8. Shrudby, or refem- bling fhrubs or coral: thefe confift of a leafy cruft like the laft, but they have no cups, only tubercles, and they are branched. The famous Rhen-deer Mofs is of this fection : it is perforate‘, very much branch- ed, and the {mall branches are nodding: r Lichen caninus Lin. Fl. dan. 767. f. 2. Dillen. tog. 102.) Mor. f. 16€. i. 1. 6 2 bis.is thedpe- cies formerly recommended againft the bite of mad dogs, mixed with white pepper: “but it is a remedy now exploded. * Lichen rangiferinus Lin. Fl. dan. 180. Dillen. t. 10. 1.20. ' That is, there are little holes in the axils of the branches, as if made with a pin. uke 2 it 499 Fucus. ; LETT ER XXXILE it grows on heaths and mountainots paf- tures with us. 9. Thready, or confifting of mere round, Éd {tiff {talks or threads, frequently covered or incrufted with a meal, which is very inflammable, and terminating in dry globules, a little hol- lowed, and HO any rum. Thefe moft of them hang from the boughs of trees, and hence have the name of Tree- riof/s. But this very numerous and widely diffufed genus has already detained us too long. The Sea-weeds are comprehended in three genera—U/va or Laver, Fucus and Conferva. In the firit, U/va, the fru€tifica- tions are in a diaphanous membrane, and the fubftance of the plant is membranaceous, at firft bladdery, but afterwards leafy. F#- cus, Wrack, or Sea-weed properly fo called, has two kinds of bladders, the one {mooth, hollow, and interwoven with hairs, the other fraooth, filled with a jelly, in which are ner te {mall perforated grains, in each of which is ee to be a feed: the texture of thete plants is coriaceous or Confervas leathery. Confer væ are combofed of une- qual tubercles, in very long capillary fibres, which are either continued or jointed. The two laft genera will furnifh you with abundant amufement whenever you are led to {pend a little time on the fea-coaft ; but the fpecies are fo numerous, that the examination of the fpecific differences would carry + CRYPTOG. FUNGI. soi carry me into too wide a field: we will pafs on therefore to the laft order of this laft clafs of vegetable nature—the Fungi or Mu/fhrooms, which are univerfally known by their fingular ftruéture and appearance ; without branches, leaves, flowers, or any thing we can certainly call frudtification, and fcarcely any root. The Agaric, one Agaricus. of the principal genera in Fi order, is known by its Héron manner of grow- ing, and by having /amelle or gills rie neath". The Champignon*, or common eatable Mufhroom, is one of thefe, and has the following charaéters—the head 1s convex, fcaly, white; and fupported on a ftipe or ftalk; the gills are red; that which has white gills is only a variety of this, and though far inferior in Lege is not poifonous. The Chanterelle”, or little yellow 1 Mufhroom, fo common in ee fairy rings on dry pa(tures, is alfo ftipi- tate, with the gills branched and decurrent. What is commonly called Agaric in medi- cine, and is ufed in {topping of blood, 1s of another genus. Boletus, Ste grows horizontally like Boletus. the laft, but on of gills, has pores on the under furface. “ See plate 38. of this work. Y Agaricus campeftris Lin. Mill, illuftr. Fl. dan, t. 714. en Chantarellus Zix, Fl. dan, 264. Ger. 1580. ie iets More! 502 Phallus. Lycoper- don. LETTER XXXII. More/* is a fungus that is reticulate of netted all over the outfide or upper furfaces and {mooth beneath. The efculent fpecies has the head egg-fhaped and cellular, the ftipe or ftem naked and wrinkled. — Truffle or efculent Puff-ball’, is a round- ifh fungus, filled with a mealy fubftance, taken for feed: this fpecies is globular, folid, muricated, or rough on the outfide, without any root, and growing wholly under ground: the other forts are full of duft, which they throw out when ripe, and are wholly above ground except their roots. Common Puff-ball* is roundifh, and difcharges its duft by a torn aperture in the top; this varies much in form, and alfo in fize, from a little ball to that of a man’s head. After all, the objects of this order are not univerfally allowed to be plants, but are fufpected, though feemingly without much reafon, to be formed by animals, for their habitation, after the manner of Zoophytes or Corals. But this is a fubjeét too dif- ficult and nice for our difcuffion :. and per- haps, after all, the fwagi may prove to be one of thofe links in the chain of nature, which unite the vegetable to the animal * Phallus efculentus Liz. Fl. dan. 53. Ger. 1583. ¥ Lycoperdon Tuber Lin. Michel. t. 102. Ger. 1583. 7 Lycoperdon Bovifta Lin. Scheef. t, 190. Ger. 1582. kingdom ; CRYPT OG: FUN GE, kingdom ; and though they fhould turn out to be the habitation of minute infe&s, and to be formed for and by them, yet they may at the fame time have the growth and texture of plants. Nature is full of thefe wonders, dear coufin; we are ad- mitted to the view of a very {mall portion of it only; there is little hope then that we fhould be able to underftand its relations fully, or to unravel all its myfteries. 5 ieee aeons 240. a ering), bs a rod, oat basis a bla sp lo 40 Fi En ri ae ite af ou ixei. 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LATE. ye | vi © Les # Ji A # va AC POND ae x OF THE - ENGLISH NAMES OF PLANTS. À. ge Page AB E LE Andromeda 268 Acacia, Baftard 39, 303 Anemone 300 Acacia Egyptian 466 Angelica 234 Three-thorned 467 Apple 74 75» 29% Acajou 262 Apricot 74 Acanthus 317 Arabis 324 Aconite 297, 8, 477 Arbutus 269 — Winter 299 Arrow-head 449 Adder’s-tongue 488 Artichoke 65, 68, 383 African Marigold 395 ——-—— Jerufalem 400 Agaric 501 Arum 426 Agrimony 279 . Afarabacca 278 Alaternus 207, AIR 467 Alder 434 ——- Mountain 291 ——- Berry-bearing 206 Afp 457 Alexandrian Laurel 462 Afphodel 24, 474 Alkanet 178 Affa-foetida 237 Baftard x 191 After, Chinefe 392 Allgood 221 Auricula 174 Almond 75 Azarole 290 Aloe 250, 251 B. Althea Frutex 343 Balfam 406 Amaranth 447 Balfamine 407 ——— Crefted 211 Balfam of Tolu-tree 266 a Globe 223 Banana 463 Amomum Pligii 200 Barberry 251, 480 Ananas 243 Barberry-pepper 203 Barley INDEX OF: THE Barley Barley-grafs Bafil Baftard Jafmine Baum Baum of Gilead Bay Bead-tree Beam-tree . Bean -—— Kidney Bear’s-foot Beech Bce-Larkfpur Bee-Orchis Beet Bell-flower Bell-pepper Betony Bindweed —— Black Birch Bird-pepper Bird’ s-foot Biftort Bitter-fweet Black Hellebore Bladder Sena Blefied Thittle Blue-bells Blue-bottle Bog-bean Bog-rufh Borage Box Brake Brafiletto Briar, Sweet Wild Briza Brome-grafs 8 ‘Page 144 ib. 399 209 221 Brooklime Broom, Bafe ——— Butchers’ ——— Common -—— Portugal Spanifh Broom-rape Bryony, Black Buckbean Buckthorn Buckwheat Bugle Buglofs Bulrufh Burdock Burnet Bur-reed Butchers’-broom Butter-bur Butter-cups Butter-flower Butter-wort Byzantine-nut C abbage Calamint Calamus aromaticus Camomile Campion, White Canary-grafs Candy-tuft Canterbury-bells Cape Jafmine Caper Capficum Caragana Cardamom Carnation Carraway Carrot Cafhew 153; 431 124, 477 41, 324 ENGLISH NAMES. Page Caffia 262 Catalpa 317 Cataputia 284 Catchfly 275 Caterpillars 369 Catmint 307 Cat’s-tail 153, 430 Cat’s-tail grafs 133 Cayan Pepper 203 Cedar Bermudas 459 —— Barbadoes 460 —— Carolina ib. of Lebanon 445 —— Virginia 460 Celandine, Leffer 303 Celeri 236 Centaury, Great 401 aE Leffler 226 — Yellow 226, 260 Cereus 287 Cerinthe 182 Champignon 501 Chantarelle ib. Charlock 41, 326 Cherry 74 Chervil 56, 228 -——~ Rough 231 Wild ib. Chefnut 439 China Pink 272 China Rofe 343 Chinefe After 392 Chocolate 370, 478 Chriftmas Rofe 299 Chrift’s thorn 207 Ciftus 296 Citron 379 Clary 125, 126 Cleavers 165 Clover 39, 66 — Dutch 367 Page Clover, Heart 368 — Red 367 Club-rufh 153 Cochineal Fig 289 Cockle 275 Cock’s-comb 211, 312 Cock-fpur Hawthorn 290 Codlins and Cream 257 Coffee 208 Colefeed 324 Colewort, Sea ib. Colt’s-foot 388 Columbine 297, 298, 477 Colutea 360 Comfrey 181 Convolvulus 183 Coriander 235 Cork-tree 4.38 Corn 143, 147, 148 Corn Marigold 396 Coftus Arabian 118 Cotton 341 Cotton-grafs 153 Cotton Thiftle 383 Couch 147 Cow-Parfley 231 Cow-Parfnep 237 Cowflip 172 Cow-weed 231 Crane’s-bill 332 Crefs, Indian 256 — Water 229, 326 — Winter 323 Crefted Amaranth 211 Croflwort 463 Crown Imperial 475 Cuckow-flower 276, 325 Cuckow-pint 427 Cucumber 452 — Spirting 45€ Cudweed Ua 387 Cyclamen INID'EX (OFT CHE Page Cyciamen 175 Cyprefs 446 Cytifus 362 —— Prickly 351 Daffodil 245 Daify 61 Ox-eye 396 Dandelion 67, 71 Darnel 148 Deadly Nightfhade 197 Dead-Nettle, White 43 Devil’s-bit 161 Dill 2.36 Diofma 209 Dittany of Crete 310 Dittany, White 266 Dock 2,52 Dodder 168, 473 Dog-Rofe 293 Dog’s-grafs 147 Dog’s-Mercury 458 Dog’s-tail grafs 149 Dyer’s-weed 280, 351 E. Earth-nut 237 Egg-plant 202 Elder 54 »—— Marfh 239 Elecampane 393 Elm 224 Endive 382 Englifh Mercury 221 Eryngo 55 Eryfimum 322 Eternal flower 388 Everlafting 387 Everlafting Pea 2 8 “anit 281 uphraf} 21 Pyebreht 33 By Page Fennel 111295 —— giant 237 Sweet 236 Fern, Common 490 — Flowering 491 Male 488 Ferula 299 Fefcue 138 Feverfew 397 Ficoides 292 Fig 468 Fig-Marigold 292 Fig-wort 46, 315 Filbert 441 Finochia 236 Fir 445 Flag 155 Flax 240 Fleabane ~ 394 Fleur-de-lys 154 Flixweed 327 Flower-fence 266 Flowering Rufh 265 Fool’s Parfley 57 Four-o’clock flower 211 Foxglove 316 Fox-tail grafs 133 Fraxinella 266 French Honeyfuckle 366 Marigold 395 Willow 257 Fumitory 346, 477 Furze 352 Fuftick 436 G. Galangale 118 Gelder Rofe 239 Gentian 225 - Yellow Perfo- liate 226, 260 Gentianella ENGLISH NAMES. Page Gentianella 2.26 Geranium 332 Germander 123 Ginger 118 Glailwort 2.22 Jointed 233 Globe Amaranth 223 Globe-thiitle 404 Goat’s-beard 378 Golden-rod 392 Goofeberry-fool 257 Goofefoot 221, 465 Goole-grafs 165 Gorfe 352 Gourd 451 Grain of Paradife 118 Granadilla 425 Graffes, Let. xiii. Greek Valerian 189 Gromwell 180 Ground Ivy 43» 306 Groundfel 389 Guaiacum 267 Guinea Pepper 202 Hard-heads 401 Hart’s-tongue 490 Hawkweed 384 Hawthorn Cock’s-fpur 290 —— — Common ib: Hazel 441 Heart’s eafe 405 Heath, Common 258 Crofs-leaved ib. Fine-leaved ib. Hedge-hogs 368 Hellebore 297, 299, 479 Hemlock 230 ——~ Chervil | 227 Hemp 456 Hemp Agrimony 385 7 Henbane : Hen-pepper Hepatica Herb Robert Hickery Hollyhock Honefty Honeyfuckle French Hooded Willow-herb Hop Horehound, Black White Hornbeam Horfe-Chefnut Horfe-radifh Horfe-tail — Female Hound’s-tongue Houfeleek Page Hyacinth 249, 475 I Jack-by-the-hedge Jacobæa Lily Jacob’s-ladder Jalap Jafmine Arabian Baftard Red Ice plant Jerufalem Artichoke Jefuit’ssbark Immortal-flower Indian Corn Crefs —— Fig —— Nafturtium Shot Indigo Cape £225 215 292 400 216 397 432 256 287 256 117 304 Jonquil INDEX OF; THE Page Jonquil 245 Iris 154 Judas-tree 266 Juniper 459 Jupiter’s-beard 353 ivy, Ground 306 K. Kali, Egyptian 293 Kalmia 268 Kidney Bean 39, 356 Vetch 353 King-cups 302 Knap-weed or Knob- weed 401 Knee Holly 461 Knot-grafs 261 Laburnum 362 Ladies Bedftraw 165 Cufhion 271 Finger 353 Hair 135 Mantle 167 —— Slipper 422, 477 —— Smock 325 Traces 419 Larch F 445 Larkfpur 297, 298, 477 Lavender 306 Laver 500 Laurel 75 Laurel, Alexandrian 462 Lauruftinus 239 Lemon 370 — Water 426 Leopard’s-bane 394 Lettuce 380 Lichen 496 Lilac 122 Lily 22, 475 — Guernfey 247 Lily Jacobæa — Mexican — of the Valley ——. Water Lime Liquorice Liverwort Locuft, Honey ——— tree Logwood London Pride Loofeftrife Lords and Ladies Love-apple Love in idlenefs Lucerne Lungwort Lupin Lychnidea Lychnis M. Mad-apple Madder Magnolia Maidenhair — Golden Mallow Cape Common Dwarf ——- Indian Marfh Mufk — — Vervain Mandrake Manna Maple, Common — Great Maple-leaved Service Mare’s-tail Marigold, African 296, 266, 197 139 405 ib. 290 116 395 Marigold, ENGLISH NAMES. Page Marigold, Common 403 Corn 390 French 395 Marjoram 309 Marth Elder 239 Mallow 341 Trefoil 176 Marvel of Peru 210, 480 May 291 Mays 432, 476 Mayweed 397 Meadia 175 Meadow grafs 136 : Pinks 276 Saffron 254 Medlar 29% Medufa’s-head 282 Melia 267 Melon 452 Thiftle 287 Melongena 202 Mercury, Dog’s 458° Englifh 221 Mezereon 259 Michaelmas Daify 391 Mignionette 280 Milfoil ' 397 Milkwort 340 Mint 306 Miffeltoe - 455 Monk’s-hood 298 - Moonwort 320, 489 Morel ) 502 Mofs, Bog 493 up 499 —— Rhendeer ib —— Tree 498 Wolf’s claw 493 Mountain Afh 291 Moufe-ear Hawkweed 381 Page Moufe-ear Scorpion- grafs . 180 Mugwort 386 Mulberry 435 Mullein 195 Mufhrooms 50 Mufk 5 340 Muftard à Myrtle 289 Narciflus 245 — Polyanthus ib. Nafturtium, Indian 257 Neétarine 75 Needle Furze 352 Nettle, Dead 43 Stinging Meas Tee ah lee Nightly Primrofe 257 Nightthade 199 — Deadly 197 None-fo-pretty 270 Nonefuch 368 O. Oak 436 Evergreen 437 — Kermes 438 Oat 141 —— grafs ib, Oil-tree 450 Oleander 214, 478 Olive 122 Opuntia 287 Ophrys, fpiral 419 Orache 4606 Orange 370 Orchis, Bee 429 — Broad-leaved 416 Butterfly 412 D warf ALS Orchis, INDEX OFLAEINRYE Page Orchis, Female 414 Fly 420 Frog 417 Long-fpurred ib. Sep ale 414 ———+. Pyramidal 413 rain 26pIder 421 = Spotted 416 Sweet 417 Ofmund Royal 489 Ox-eye Daïly 396 Oxilip 172 Palma Chrifti 450 Panties 405 Park leaves 374 Parnaffia 239 Parfley, Fool’s 57 True 56, 236 Parfnep 235 Parfnep, Cow 237 Water 229 Pafque-flower 301 Paflion-flower 423, 478 Pea 34 — Everlafting 358 — Painted Lady 357 — Sweet- fcented ib. — Tangier ib. Peach 75 Pear 13 eee Pellitory of the wall 464 Peony 297 Periwinkle 213 Petty Whin 352 Phillyrea 207 Pig-nut 237 Pine-apple 243 Pineafter 443 Pine, Cembra 444 —— Frankincenfe ib. Page Pine, Scotch 443 Stone 444 —— Weymouth ib. —— White 445 Wild 445 Pink 274 China ib. Pitch-tree 443 Plane 442 Plantain .__ 165 tree 463 Water 254 Plum 7475 Plumeria 215 Polyanthus 173 — Narcifflus 246 Polypody 490 Pompion 451 Pondweed 169 Poplar 457, 481 Poppy 295 Potatoe 201 Prickly Pear 288 Primrofe 171 — Nightly 257 Tree 256 Prince’s Feather 448 Privet 122 Puff-ball 502 Purflain : 278 RE: 136 Quick or Quich 147 Quick in hand 407 Quince 75» 291 Radifh 41, 322 Ragged Robin 276 Ragwort 390 Rampion 187 Ranunculus 302 Rattan ENGLISH NAMES. Rattan Rattle, Yellow Ray-grafs Reed Reed-mace Refeda, Sweet Reftharrow Rhapontick Rhododendron Rhubarb Rice Rie — orafs Rocket Rofe -——~ China Rofemary Rue Rufh Flowering ———— Sweet 5. Saffron, Meadow 24, Sage Saint-foin John’s wort Peter’s wort Sallow Salfafy Saltwort Sampire Golden Marfh Sattin, White Satyrion, Frog Lizard Sauce-alone Savin Saxifrage a Pyramidal ——- White Page 252 312 145 142 430 280 352 264. 268 263 476 143 145 323 293 343 124 267 252 265 252 254 124 266 372 373 455 379 233 233 ib. 233 320 417 ib. 323 459 269 ib. 270 Page Scabious 159 Scammony 185 Scorpion Sena 364 Scorzonera 379 ip pate 321 te Colewort 324 ea-weed 500 Sedge 153; 433 478 Sedum 274 Self-heal 4% 311 Sena, Bladder 360 Scorpion 364 Senega 34 Senfitive 46 Service, Domeftic 291 - Maple-leaved 290 Shaddock 370 Shepherd’s needle 238 Purfe 32 Sherardia 164 Silver-bufh 353 Skull-cap Zin Smallage 236 Snails 368 Snapdragon 45, 314 Snowdrop 244, 475 Softgrafs 152 Solomon’s feal 249 Sorrel 253 Southernwood 380 Sowthiftle 380 Spanifh-nut 442 Spatling Poppy 274 Speedwell 123 — Water 124 Spelt +140, Spider - wort, Virgi- nian 244 Spinach 456 Spiræa 291 Spleenwort 439 L 1 Spruce INIDÆFYX PORR LTE? aoe Spruce Fir - Spurge, Broad-leaved ar: Petty 283 —— Sun ib. Wood ib. Spurge-Laurel 259 Squath 451 Stapelia 217 Star-Thiftle 403 Starwort 391 Stock-gillilower 27,. 323 Stonecrop 274 Strawberry 294 — Tree 269 Succory 381 Sugar 153 Sumach 238 Sunflower 71; 399 Sun Spurge 283 Swallow-wort 216 Sweet Briar 293 — Refeda 289 — Ruth 252 — Sultan 401 William 271 Sycomore 465 Syringa 289 Tacamahaca 4538 ‘Tame-poifon 216 ‘Tanfy 385 Tare 358 F'eafel 159 ‘Tea-tree 296 Thiftle 382 Bleffed 402 Globe 404 àFhorn-apple 192 Thrift 240 ‘Throatwort 188 et byme, Garden 309 ++ “+ Page Thyme Wild 308 Toad-flax 45» 313 Three-leaved 315 Tobacco 195 Tomatos 202 Torch-thiftle 287 Touch me not 407 Tradefcantia 244 Tree Primrofe 256 Trefoil, Bird’s-foot 367 Honeyfuckle ib. Marfh 176 Purple 367 White ib. Yellow ib. Truffle 502 Trumpet-flower 316 Tulip 248 —- Tree 299 Turbith 185 Turkey Corn 432 Turmerick 118 Turnep 324 Turnfole ' 179 Tutfan 374 T'wayblade 419 T'wyblade ib. V. Valerian 477 Venus’s Comb 238 Venus’s Looking-glafs 189 Slipper 423 Vernal-grafs 150 Veronica 122 Vervain 124 Vetch 358 —— Crimfon Grafs 357 Vetchling, Yellow ib. Violet 404, 477 og 405 Sweet ib Violet, EPCL IS HON AM E'S. i Page Page Violet, Water 177 White Beam-tree 299 Viper’s buglofs 183 —— Sattin 320 Virginian Spider-wort 244 ——— thorn 290 Wild Briar 293 | Ww. Williams 270 Wake-Robin 426 Willow 453, 431 Wail-flower 323 French 257 Wall-Pepper 274 herb ib. Walnut. 438 —— Hooded 311 Water-Crefs 229, 326 Winter Aconite 299 Dropwort 231 Cherry 199, 200 Hemlock ib. Crefs 322 —— Lemon 426 Woad 324 —— Lily 296 Wolf’s-bane 208 Parfnep 229 Woodbind 204 Plantain 254 Woodroof 164 Violet 177 Woodwaxen 351 Wayfaring tree 239 Wormwood 386 Way Thiftle 382 Wrack 500 Weld 280 ie Wheat 145 Yarrow 397 Whin 352 Yellow Rattle 312 — Petty ib, Yew 409 Lis INDEX Le) BAe A. Page AC ER campeftre 465 Acer Pfeudoplatanus ib. Achillea Millefolium 397 Achyranthes 474 Aconitum Anthora 298 — Napellus ib. Acorus Calamus 252 Acroftichum 489 Adenanthera 481 Adianthum Capillus Ve- neris 491 Æfculus Hippocaftanum 255 fEthufa Cynapium 58 Agaricus Chantarellus 501 campeftris ib. Agave Americana 250 Agrimonia Eupatoria 279 Agroftemma Githago 275 Aira 135 Ajuga reptans 307 Alcea ficifolia 343 rofea ib. Alchemilla alpina 167 —— pentaphyllea 168 ~ — vulgaris 167 Alifma Plantago 254 Alopecurus pratenfis 133 Althza officinalis 341 NAMES. Page Amaranthus caudatus 448 cruentus ib. melancho- licus ib. fanguineus ib. - tricolor ib, Amaryllis 474 — Regine 247 — formofiffima ib. — farnienfis ib. Ambrofinia 481 Anacardium occiden- tale 262 Andrachne 476 Anemone coronaria 302 a Hepatica 30K hortenfis 302 — nemorofa 3cr — Pulfatilla ib. Anethum Fœniculum 235 — graveolens 236 Angelica Archangelica 234 fylveftris ib. Anthemis nobilis 397 Anthoxanthum odora- tum 150 Anthyllis Barba Jovis 353 —————- Vulneraria ib. Antirrhinum L A'TIN Page Antirrhinum 477 Antirrhinum Linaria 45,313 —— majus 45, 314 monfpef- ste purpureum ib. —— repens ib. triphyllum ib. fulanum os Apium graveolens 236 — Petrofelinum ib. Apocynum 480 Aquilegia vulgaris 298 Arabis alpina 324 ftriéta ib. thaliana ib. Turrita 41, ib. Arbutus Unedo 269 Arétium Lappa 384 Arenaria 273 Arethufa 477 Artemifia Abrotanum 386 ———— Abfinthium ib. ———— campeftris 1b. a maritima 387 ii. pontica 386 ——- vulgaris ib. Arum 479 maculatum 427 Arundo phragmitis 142 Afarum europæum 278 Afclepias 480, 482 Vincetoxicum 216 Afperula odorata 164 Afplenium Scolopen- drium 490 After Amellus 391 chinenfis 392 — grandiflorus ib. —— Tripolium ib. Aftronium 473, 481 NAME S. Page Atriplex 405 Atropa Belladonna 190 Mandragora - 198 Avena fatua 142 flavefcens ib. — fativa ib. Ayenia 478 Ballota nigra 308 Banifteria 473 Berberis vulgaris 251, 480 Béta maritima 221 vulgaris 222 Betonica officinalis 307 Betula alba 434 Alnus ib. Bidens cernua 385 tripartita ib. Bignonia Catalpa 317 radicans 316 Bifcutella 481 Boletus 501 Bombax 340 Borago officinalis 182 Braflica Napus 324 oleracea ib. Rapa ib. Briza 135, 136 Bromelia 480 Ananas 243 Bromus giganteus 141 mollis 140 ———— nemoralis 141 polymorphus 140 fecalinus ib. —— fterilis I4I Brownea coccinea 340 Bryum pomiforme 494 pyriforme ib. ———— rurale ib. LI 3 Bryum I N DE Xs OF Page Bryum truncatulum 494 Bunium. Bulbocafta- num 237 Butomus umbellatus 265 Buxus fempervirens 435 Byttneria 478 Cactus cechinillifer 289 flagelliformis 288 grandiforus 287 ——— Opuntia 289 Calamus Rotang 252 Calendula officinalis. 403 Campanula 186, 474, 481 Canna 117 Cannabis fativa 456 Capparis fpinofa 296 Capficum annuum 203 Cardamine pratenfis 325 Cardiofpermum 476 Carex 153 433, 478 Carpinus Betulus 441 ——— Oftrya ib. Carum Carui 236 Cafida 310 Cafiyta 472 Celofia 480 criftata 212 Centaurea benedifta 402 ——— Calcitrapa 403 — Centaureum 401 — —— Cyanus 402 —~—— montana ib. —-—— mofchata 401 —-~-—- nigra ib. —— Scabiofa 402 Cercis 349; 472 Cerinthe major 182 minor ib. Ceftrum diurnum 209 nocturnum ib. Page Chærophyllum fylveftre 231 - temulum ib. Cheiranthus annuus = 32 3 Cheiri ib. —— incanus 27, 323 Chenopodium Bonus Henricus 221 Cherleria 478 Chironia Centaurium 226 Chlora perfoliata 226, 260 Chryfanthemum coro- narium 396 Leucan- themum ib. —————- fegetum ib. Cichoreum Endivia 382 — Intybus 381 ee Cicuta virofa 231 Cinchona officinalis 216 Cinna 151 Ciffampelos 478, 481 Ciflus 480 Ciftus 296 Citrus Aurantium 95 decumana ib. Medica 370 Clutia 481 Cochlearia anglica 322 Armoracia ib. officinalis 321 Coffea arabica 208 Colchicum autumnale 254 Colutea arborefcens 360 frutefcens 301 herbacea ib. Commelina 48t Conferva 500 Conium maculatum 230 Convallaria majalis 249 Convolvulus arvenfis 184 purpureus ib. Convolvulus LATIN NAMES. Page Convolvulus Scammo- nia 185 — fepium 184 —— tricolor 185 Coriandrum fativum 235 Coronilla Emerus 364 Corylus Avellana 441 Colurna 442 Cotula 396 Cotyledon 473 Crambe maritima 325 Crafiula 473 Cratægus Aria 290 — Azarolus 2091 —— coccinea 290 —— — Crus-galli ib. — —— Oxyacantha ib, — torminalis ib. Crithmum maritimum 233 Croton 473 Cucubalus Behen 294 Cucumis Melo 452 fativus ib. Cucurbita 473 ——- lagenaria 451 —-—— Melopepo ib. — verrucofa. 452 DR cr Cupreflus difticha 447 fempervirens 446 Cufcuta 168, 473 Cyclamen europæum 176 — perficum ib. Cynanchum 480 Cynara Scolymus 333 Cynogloflum officinale 181 Cynofurus criftatus 150 Cyperus 153 Cypripedium Calce- olus 4225-4797 Cytifus hirfutus ; 302 — Pepo D. | Page Cytifus Laburnum ib. fefilifolius ib. D. Dalechampia 476 Daphne Laureola 259 Mezereum ib. Datura ferox 193 Stramonium ib. + Tatula “rs Daucus Carota 232 Delphinium Ajacis 298 Confolida ib. - elatum ib. a Dianthus barbatus 271 —— Caryophylus ib. — chinenfis ib. ——-~- ——- plumarius ib. Didamnus 206, 481 Digitalis purpurea 316 Dionza Mutcipula 267 Diofma 209, 478 Dipfacus fullonum 160 fylveftris ib. Dodecatheon Meadia 175 Doronicum Bellidiaf- trum 395 pardalianches 3,4 ——- plantagineum ib. Dracocephalum cana- rienfe 310 mr: Echinops fpærocephalus 404 Echites 472 Echium vulgare 18 3 Epidendrum 477, 478 Epilobium anguftifo- lium 257 birfutum ib. Epimedium 478 Equif:tum arvenfe 488 — hyemale ib. da 0 INDEX OF Page Equifetum limofum ib. —- fylvaticum ib. Erica cinerea 258 — Tetralix ib. vulgaris ib. Eriophorum 153 Erodium 340 Eryfimum Alliaria 323 Barbarea ib. officinale 322 Erythronium 474 Erythroxylon ib. Eupatorium cannabi- num 384 Euphorbia amygdalo- ides 283 antiquorum 282 a ——— canarienfis ib. — Caput Me- dufæ ib. —— Cypariffias 284 ——— heliofcopia 283 —-—— Lathyris 284 — officinarum 282 —— ——~ Peplus 283 Euphrafia officinalis 313 F. Fagus Caftanea 440 fylvatica ib. Ferula Affa foetida 237 communis ib. Feftuca fluitans 139 ovina 138 Fevillea 479, 481 Ficus carica 469 Fragaria fterilis 294 vefca ib. Frankenia 475 Fraxinus americana 468 excelfior ib. Ornus ib. Page Fritillaria 475 Fucus 500 346 Fumaria officinalis G. Galanthus nivalis 244, 47 5 Galium Aparine 165 Mollugo ib. paluftre ib. verum ib. Gardenia florida 122, 215 Garidella 479 Genifta anglica 352 tinctoria 351 Gentiana acaulis 226 — Centaurium ib. — lutea 225 Geranium arduinum 337 capitatum 335 ——— ciconium 337 ——. cicutarium 336 — columbinum 339 ——cucullatum 334 —— difletum 339 ———fulgidum 333 ——— gruinum 337 ———— inquinans 333 ——— lucidum 338 ————.molle abs — mofchatum 337 — odoratiffi- os 335 — papiliona- ceum 334 — phæum 337 ——— pratenfe ib. — Robertianum 338 —— rotundifolium ib. fanguineum 339 — trifte 336 — vitifolium 335 —— — zonale 334 Glechoma ee LATIN NAMES: Page Glechoma hederacea 306 Gleditfia inermis 467 triacanthos ib. Glycyrrhiza glabra 365 Gnaphalium margari- taceum 387 —— orientale ib. Gomphrena globofa 223 Goflypium 341 Grewia 474 Grielum 473 Gualtheria 480 H. Hamamelis 478 Hartogia 476 Hedyfarum coronarium 366 — Onobrychis ib. Helianthus annuus 399 —— multiflorus ib. — tuberofus 400 Heliéteres 476 Heliotropium europæ- um 179 peruvianum ib. Helleborus fcetidus 299 —— —— hyemalis ib. —— niger ib. Heracleum Sphondylium 237 Hermannia 331, 480 Hernandia 472 Hefperis 27, 329 Hibifcus Abelmofchus 344 efculentus ie Rofa Sinenfis ib. —— Sabdariffa ib. —-—— fyriacus . 343 vitifolius 344 Hieracium murorum 381 — Pilofella ib. Hippuris vulgaris 115 Page Holcus lanatus 152 mollis ib. Hordeum diftichon 144 ——— hexaftichon ib. ——— murinum ib. pratenfe 145 vulgare 144 Zeocriton ib. Hottonia paluftris 177 Humulus Lupulus 456 Hyacinthus non fcrip- tus 475) 250 orientalis ib. Hydrophyllum 480 Hyofcyamus niger 193 Hypericum Androfæ- mum | 374 ———— Afcyron ib. —— balearicum ib. — canarienfe ib. ——————— INfCIQUM 373 humifufum ib. monogynum 375 perforatum 372 pulchium 373 quadrangulum 1b. eee CS ee ee Hypnum fericeum 495 Iberis amara “ai Iberis umbellata ib. Dlicium 476 Impatiens 477 — Balfamina 407 oo Noli tangere ib. Indigofera 364, Inula crithmoides 233 dyfenterica 294 —— Helenium 393 pulicaria 304 Ipomza 185 Irefine 473 481 4 1T1$* PMD EX yy OF Page {ris + 474 475 -—— florentina 155 —— germanica ib. perfica 157 —— Pfeudacorus 155 fufiana 157 lfatis tinctoria 324 Tfopyrum 479 Juglans alba 439 ——— regia ib, Juncus 153; 252 Juniperus barbadenfis 460 —— bermudiana 459 ——— communis ib. ———— lycina 460 ———— oxycedrus © ib. ——— ——— phoenicea ib. ——- Sabine 459 = thurifera 469 — —— virginiana ib. K. Kiggelaria 474, 481 Kleinhovia 478 Krameria 432 Lamium album 43 Lathræa 472, 481 Lathyrus Aphaca 357 ——--. latifolius 358 —-- Nifflolia 357 odoratus ib. paluftris 358 pratenfis ib. fylveftris ib. tingitanus 357 Laurus 474 nobilis 262 Lecythis 475 Leontice 474 Lichen caninus 49) geographicus 497 Page Lichen parietinus 497. puimonarius 498 rangiferinus 499 —— {criptus 497 Lilium candidum 22 Limeum 430. Limodorum 477 Linum ufitatifimum 248 Liriodendron Tulipifera 300 Lithofpermum arvenfe 1815 officinale 180 Lolium perenne 149 temulentum ib. Lonicera alpigena 205 — Caprifolium 204 ——— Periclymenum ib. fempervirens ib. Xylofteum 205 Lotus corniculatus 367 Lunaria annua 320 rediviva ib. Lupinus albus 354 anguftifolius 355 hirfutus 354 luteus 355 perennis 354 pilofus 355 varius ib. Lychnis chalcedonica 275 dioica 276 Flofcuculi 276 Vifcaria 275 Lycoperdon Bovifta 502 —————— Tuber ib. Lycopodium 492 Lycopfis arvenfis 182 Lythrum Salicaria 278 Malpighia 473, 481 Malva Alcea 342 — capeniis ib. Mulva 'L'ATRIN Page Malva Mofchata 342 rotundifolia ib. — fylveftris 341 Marchantia polymorpha 496 arrubium album 308 Matricaria Parthenium 397 Medicago lupulina 368 — polymorpha ib. — —- fativa 367 Melaftoma 473 Melia 470 Melianthus 481 Melica 135 Meliffa Calamintha 310 ——— Nepeta ib. officinalis ib. Menyanthes trifoliata 176 Mercurialis 475 . perennis 458 Mefembryanthemum 292 Mefpilus 291 Mimofa nilotica 466 pudica ib. Mirabilis 480 dichotoma 211 Jalapa 210 - longiflora 211 Mnium hygrometricum 494 Momordica Elaterium 451 Monnieria 473 Monotropa 481 Morus alba 435 nigra 436 —— papyrifera jb. tinctoria ib. Mufa 476 paradifiaca 493 fapientum ib. Myofotis fcorpiodes 180 Myofurus 480 Myrtus communis 289 NAMES. N. Page Narciflus 478 Jonquilla 245 ———— poeticus ib. Pfeudonarciflus ib, Tazetta ib. Nepeta Cataria 307 Nerium Oleander 214, 478 Nicotiana ruftica 395 — Tabacum ib. Nigella 479 Nyctanthes 122 Nymphza alba 296 — lutea ib. O. Oenanthe crocata 231 wi — fiftulofa ib. Oenothera biennis 256 Olax 478 Ononis inermis 353 {pinofa ib. Onopordon Acanthium 383 Ophioglofium vulgatum 489 Ophioxylon 48i Ophrys 419, 477 apifera 420 aranifera 421 infectifera 420 mufcifera ib. ovata 419 fpiralis ib. Orchis 412, 477 +=... -bifolia 413 - conopfea 417 fuciflora 420 latifolia 416 maculata ib. —— mafcula 414 morio ib. mufcifora 420 —— pyramidalis 413 — uftulata 4i5 Origanum INDEX OF Page Origanum Diétamnus 310 —— — heracleoticum 309 ——— Majorana ib. eee Onites ib. vulgare ib. Orobanche major 312, 472 Oryza fativa 252 Ofmunda Lunaria 489 —— regalis ib. —— Spicant ib. Pancratium 478 Papaver cambricum 296 orientale 295 Rhoeas ib. —— + fomniferum ib. Parietaria officinalis 465$ Parnafha paluftris 239, 473 Paffiflora cærulea 424 incarnata 425 laurifolia 426 -——= maliformis 425 Paftinaca fativa 235 Paullinia 482 Peganum 479 Pelargonium 340 Peloria 314 Periploca 478 Phalaris canarienfis 133 Phallus efculentus 502 Phafcum 492 Phellandrium aquaticum 231 Philadelphus coronarius 289 Phleum pratenfe 133 Phlox 210 Phyllanthus 480 Phyfalis Alkekengi 199° Pinguicula 124, 477 Pinus Abies 445 -—— Balfamea 446 —— Cedrus 445 Page Pinus Cembra 444 Larix 445 — Picea ib, Pinea 444 —— Strobus ib. fyiveftris 443 — Teda 444 Plantago lanceolata 166 —— major ib. media ib. Platanus occidentalis 442 orientalis ib. Plukenetia 472 Plumbago 474, 481 Plumeria rubra 216 Poa 137 Polemonium cæruleum 189 Polygala myrtifolia 347 Senega ib. vulgaris ib. Polygonum aviculare 261 — Biftorta 260 — Convolvulus 261 — Fagopyrum ib. Polypodium Filix mas 491 vulgare 490 Polytrichum commune 493 Populus alba 457 balfamifera 458 nigra ib. tremula 457 Porella 492 Portulaca oleracea 270% Potamogeton crifpum 170 — natans ib. perfeliatum ib. Poterium Sanguiforba 449 Primula acaulis 172 Auricula ae veris 172 —— vulgaris ib, Prunella LATIN NAMES. Prunella vulgaris Prunus Armeniaca Cerafus domettica. Pteris aquilina Quaffia Quercus coccifera Ilex. Robur Suber KR. Ranunculus — acris — aquatilis ee arvenfis ——-—— afiaticus ee auricomus — bulbofus —— — Ficaria ——— -——— hederaceus —— —— repens —— {celeratus Reaumuria Refeda Luteola -——— odorata Rhamnus Alaternus catharticus — Frangula — Paliurus Rheum compaétum palmatum Rhabarbarum’ Rhaponticum ‘Rhinanthus Criftagalli Rhodiola Rhus typhinum Ricinus communis Robinia Caragana — Picudacacia 395 Page Roella 474, 485 Rofa canina 293 rubiginofa ib, Rumex Acetofa 253 Acetofella ib. acutus ib. —-—— crifpus 252 Hydrolapathum 25 obtufus ib. —— pulcher 252 ~—-—- fanguineus ib. Rufcus 478, 481 —— aculeatus 4601 androgynus ib. ——— Hypogloffum ib. Hypophyllum ib. racemofus 462 Ruta graveolens 267 Saccharum officinarum 153 Sagittaria fagittifolia, 449 Salicornia europæa 233 Salix 473 alba 454 amygdalina ib. babylonica 455 ——— caprea ib. purpurea 454 viminalis ib. Salix vitellina 452 Salfola Kali 222 Soda ib. Salvia officinalis 125 — pratenfis ib. verbenaca ib. Samyda 474 Sanguiforba officinalis 450 Sapindus 482 Satyrium 477 hircinum 417 œ—— viride ib. Sauvagefia INDEX OF Page Sauvagéfia 476 Saxifraga Cotyledon 269 granulata 270 hypnoides 271 umbrofa 270 Scabiofa arvenfis 161 atropurpurea 163 columbaria 162 Succifa 161 Scandix Anthrifcus 227 Cerefolium ib. Peëten 238 Schoenus 153 Schrebera 473 Scirpus 153 Scorpiurus 369 Scorzonera hifpanica 380 Scrophularia aquatica 316 nodofa Scutellaria galericulata Secale cereale Sedum ——— - acre 274 Sempervivum tectorum 284 Senecio elegans 390 Jacobæa ib. vifcofus 389 ——— vulgaris ib. Serapias 477 Serratula arvenfis 382 Silene 273, 478 Sinapis alba 326 arvenfis ib. -~ nigra ib. Sifymbrium Sophia 327 -———- Nafturtium 229, 326 Sium nodiflorum 229 Solanum Dulcamara 200 Lycoperficum 201 ——— Melongena 202 SERRE Solanum nigrum 201 Pleudocapficum 20e tuberofum 201 Solidago cambrica 302 Virgaurea ib. Sonchus oleraceus 380 Sophora 349 Sorbus aucupari2 29€ domeftica ib. Sparganium érectum 431 Ramofuim ~~ ib: —— — fimplex ib. Spartium junceum 350 — Scoparium ~ ib. —— monofpermum ‘350 fpinofum ib. Sphagnum paluftre 492 Spinacia fera 456 — oleracea —ib. Stapelia 217, 480, 482 Staphylæa 478 Statice Armeria 240 Stellaria 273 Swertia 474 Swietenia 476 Symphytum officinale 181 5 Tabernemontana 472 Tagetes erecta 395 patula ib. Tamus communis 457, 474 Tanacetum vulgare 386 Taxus baccata 460 Teucrium 307 Theobroma 47 —— Cacao 370 Thymus Serpyllum 308 vulgaris 309 Tilia europæa 296 Tinus 478 Tradefcantia LATIN Page Tradefcantia virginica 244 Tragopogon porrifoli- . um 379 pratenfe ib. Trichilia 479 Trifolium pratenfe 39, 367 ——-— repens 367 Triticum æftivum 140 caninum 147 — hybernum 145 — polonicum 146 —— repens 147 — Spelta 140 — turgidum ib. Trollius 479 Tropæolum 477; 481 majus 256 ———— minus ib. Tulipa gefneriana 248 fylveftris ib. Tuffilago Farfara 388 Petafites 389 Typha anguftifolia 431 ——- latifolia 430 Vii Valantia Cruciata 464 Vallifneria 475 Verbafcum nigrum 192 Thapius 191 Veronica agrettis 124 arventis ib. — Becabunga ib. Veronica Chamædrys 123 -————— hederifolia 124 NAMES. Page Veronica officinalis 123 Viburnum Lantana 239 — Opulus ib. —— Tinus ib. Vicia 478 —— Cracca 359 dumetorum ib. Faba 360 lathyroides 359 — fativa ib. fylvatica ib. Vinca major 213 minor ib. — rofea 214 Viola canina 405 odorata ib. -—— tricolor ib. Vifcum album 455 Ulex europzus 352 Ulmus campeftris 224 Ulva 500 Urtica 447, 478 Utricularia 477 Uvularia 475 W. Winterana 478 X. Xeranthemum annuum 388 fpeciofiffi- mum ib. Zi. Zea Mays 432 Zagophyllum 476, 481 NATURAL NATURAL TRIBES, OR ORDERS OF Polo A: Nas bo dy Mentioned or explained ’ Pag GGREGATE, Let. vi. xv; Alge 106, 495 Amentaceæ 442 Apetalous, Let. xvii. Afperifoliæ, Let. xvi. 177 Calamariæ 430 Campanaceæ, Let. xvi. 183 Caryophylleous, Let. XIX. 272 Columniferous, Let. xxiv. ___ 330 Compound, Let. vi, xxvi. Conifer _ 440 Contortæ, Let. xvi. 272 Coronariæ 248 Cruciform, Let. ii. xxiii. Cucurbitaceæ 451 Enfate 145, 244 Ferns 105, 487 Fungi 106, 501 Grafles, Let. xiii. Juliferæ 442 Labiate, Let. iv. xxii, in the foregoing Letters. Page Lecuminous, Let. iii. Liliaceous, Let. i. xviii. Luridæ, Let. xvi. 190 Mofles, Let. xxxii. 106 Multifiliquæ 297 Oleraceæ, Let. xvii. xix. Orchideæ, Let. xxvii. Palms 107 Papilionaceous, Let. iii. XXV. Perfonate, Let. iv. xxii. Preciæ, Let. xvi. 17k Ringent, Let. iv. xxii. Sarmentaceæ 248 Scitamineæ, Let. xi. Siliculofæ, Let. xxii. Siliquofæ, ib. Solanaceæ, Let. xvi. 199 Spathaceæ 248 Stellatæ, Let. xv. 163 Verticillate 306 Umbellate, Let. v. xvii. INDEX. I N ta El D E X oO F RM oS, Cafually explained in the Courfe of this Work. A Page CEROSE leaves Aggregate flowers 103, la Algæ 105; Ancipital Angiofpermia 99, 306, Anther Apetalous flowers Apophyfis Aril Lait Bs A TE Afperifoliæ Awn Axil 50, Axillary Banner Beard Biennial plants Biñd Stigma Bilocuiar Bipinnate Boat Border of a petal Braéte 149 Bulb Cc; Calycled Calyptre 445 67, 159 50 114 373 Page Calyx 25, 28, 63, 05 Campanaceæ 183 Campanulate flowers 185 Capitate flowers 67, 377 Capfule 45 258 Capfula circumfciffa Caryophylleous plants 272 Cafque 43, 125 Chaff 130 Ciliate 134 Circumfciffa capfula 278 Claw of a petal 28 Columniferous 330 Complete flowers 87, 95 Compound flowers 63, 66, 9+ Conjugate leaves 199 Connate 204. Contortæ 222 Convergent 198 Cordate Le Corolla ao É monopetalous 23 —~ polypetalous 22 Crenate 435 Crenulate 414 Cruciform flowers i Cryptogamia 96, 105, 114 Culm 130 Mm Cyathiform ENT D'ELX Page Cyathiform 316, 478 Cyme 55 D. Decandria 89 Decurrent leaves 181 Diadelphia 31, 36, 93, 349 Diandria 87 Dichotomous 450 Dicotyledonous 131 Didynamia A9 O15 305 Digitate leaves i Digyni ia Dicecia 96, 105, 113, ae Difcous or Difcoid flowers 102, 377 Difk 65 Dodecandria 69 Down 69 Ess Emarginate 525 371 Enneandria 89 Enfiform leaves 155 Falls 155 Farina 23 Ferns 105 Filament 23 Filices 105 Florets 64, 68, 377 Flofcules 64 Flofculous flowers 65, 100 Folioles 28, 168 Follicle 2.13 Frond 490 Fructification 22 Fulcra 484 Fungior Fungufes 106,114, soi G. Germ or Ovary 73 Gibbous 30, 380 Glands 47, 48 Page Gymnofpermia 99, 306 Gynandria 95, 112, 409 H. Habit 60 Head 67 Helmet 42 Heptandria 88 Herbaceous 168 Hexandria 88 Hortus ficcus 76 Hybernacula 25 Hybridous plants 314, 390 LE: Icofandria 75, 89 Imbricate 68, 166 Inconfpicuous flowers 96 Inferior flowers 52 Inflorefcence 292, Involucre 56, 301 Irregular flowers 34 Ki Keel 36 L. Labiate 42, 312 Lamina 29 Leaflets 28, 130 Legume 38, 93 Leguminous 39 Ligulate flofcules 64, 101, 377 Liliaceous 22, 243 Linear leaf 139 Lurid plants 190 M. Monadelphia 92, 330 Monandria 87, 115 Monocotyledonous 131 Moneecia 95, 104, 113, 429 Monogamia 104 Monogynia 99 Monopetalous 23, 44 Mono- ee OLF YT 8, Ry Mes; Page Monophyllous 35 Moffes 105, 114, 491 Mulci ib. N Neétary 117, 1 30, 217, XXXi Neuter flofcules IOI Obcordate 347 Obfolete 418 Oandria 89 Oleraceous plants 222 Ovary 23 Ovato-cordate 400 Palmate leaves 424 roots 410 Palms 107, 114 Panicle 132 Papilionaceous 39 Peduncle 35 Peltate leaf 250 Pentandria 88 Perfect flofcules IO1 flowers 95 Pericarp 24, 130 Perichætium 494 Permanent fae) Perfonate 495 465 272 Petals 22 Pinnate 343 Pinnatifid 150 Piftil 23 Piftilliferous flowers 95 —— flofcules 101 Pointal 23 Pollen 23 Polyadelphia 94, 369 Polyandria go Polygamia 06, 114, 403 —- Equalis 377, 101 ——-—— Fruftranea 102 Page Polygamia Neceflaria 103 Segregata ib. Superflua 102 Polymorphous 368 Polypetalous 22, 44 Polyphyllous 160 Precize 171 Primary flowers 268 Proliferous 217 mes Quadrifid corollas 161 Quadrivalvular 193 Quinquefid corollas 162 R. Raceme 122 Rachis 146 Radiate flowers 65 Ray ib. Receptacle €7, 93, 132, 160 Regular flowers 34 Repand 200, 374 Ringent flowers 42,306,312 Rotate corol 123 Sagittate leaves 184, 324 Scape 166, 198, 249 Scariofe 249, 383, 400 Scitamineæ 118 Sea- weeds 106 Secunda panicula 138 Semiflorets 64, 70, 377 Semiflofculous flowers 64, 510 Serrate 160, 434 Setaceous 139 Silicle 31; 32, 100 Siliculofa ICO Silique 30, ICO Siliquofa 100 Simple flowers 104 Solanaceæ 199 Spadix m'* or IN DE X, “&e Page Spadix 107 Spathe 107, 154, 244 Sphacelate 389 Spicule. ' 135 Spike 132 Squamous 24 Squarrofe 208 Stamen 23 Staminiferous flowers 95 — fiofcules 101 Standard 35 155 Stellated 103 Stigma 23 Stiped 378 Stipitate ib. Stipule 484 Strobile 300, 309 Style 22 Superior flowers 52 Syngenefia 94, 376 Tendril 348 Ternate leaves 315 Tetradynamia 31, 92, 319 FES N Page Tetrandria 88 Triandrta 87 Frilccular 199 Tricecia 105 Trivalvular 154 ‘Fruncate 184, 300 ‘Tuberous roots 24 Tubulcus flofcules 100 Turbinate 478 V. Valves 130 Ventricofe 179, 281 Verticillate 43, 116, 306 Bi | Umbel 51, 217 Umbellate Beste Umbellule 51 Unzguis of a petal - 28 Unilocular 1h38 Urceolate 478 W. Vhorl 116 W ings à 36 E “5. 4 PASSES OSS a Neato LRU reat bay es Lo 7e »