UC-NRLF
B 3 flSl Mfll
V
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID
**
ILLUSTRATED
ft 1
* ' B T A N
CONTAINING
, >
A FLORAL DICTIONARY,
AND A
GLOSSARY OF SCIENTIFIC TERMS
ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMKROUS ENGRAVINGS.
BY JOHN B. NEWMAN, M.D.,
AUTHOR OF VARIOUS WOHKS ON THE XATUB^' SCIENCES.
NEW YORK:
FOWLERS AND WELLS, PUBLISHERS,
NOS. 129 AND 131 NASSAU STREET.
1850.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SC-0, by
FOWLERS & WKLLS,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District
of New York.
l .
L . U
PREFACE,
THAT the study of nature tends to expand the mind,
and create an increasing thirst for knowledge, rendering
it eager tor make new acquisitions, is a fact abundantly
exemplified in the experience of our own department.
Those who have been led to examine the animal king-
dom, both in its mental and physiological aspects, become
anxious to explore the mysteries of the vegetable, secure
of finding nature everywhere bountiful in her gifts, and that
the contemplation of her as she presents herself in the
minute as well as the vast, will but increase their wonder
and admiration ; and it is for the purpose of thus satisfying
the desires of our friends that the present work is offered
to the public. Intended for those who have no previous
knowledge of the subject, the aim has been, not. only to
make it simple enough to be understood without other
instruction, but also, by means of ample illustration, in the
way of facts and anecdotes, to keep up and gratify curi-
osity to the end. The principles of the science, together
J, . .if. .
IV PREFACE.
with a thorough exposition of the system of Linnaeus, and
the outlines of that of Jussieu are given ; care being taken
that the facts, as stones, should be well joined together by
the cement of theory, so that the whole should form a
well-proportioned and enduring structure. Engravings
were required to assist the learner, and for that object
there is a profuse number. The ten chief medicinal
plants of the United States are figured, and, together
with their botanical description, is added an account of
their properties. Aware that a work of this character
would be peculiarly acceptable to youth, we have endeav-
ored to render it still more inviting by the addition of the
Meadow Queen's songs, with the necessary alterations,
they being unequaled for fixing in the young mind the
Linnsean classes. And with the hope that it may be as
valuable to the chill as to the parent, to the pupil as the
teacher, it is submitted to the public.
S. R. WELLS
CLINTON HALL, 131 Nassau street, New York.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The following items in the Table of Contents are written
in such a manner that each one can be used interrogatively,
and thus form a series of questions, capable of application,
without farther trouble, as lessons in schools.
I.
Rule for avoiding poisonous plants Travellers rule, and why
unsafe Action of Arsenic on hogs and horses Other
modes known to botanists Properties of the Cruciform
family Marks of that family Hard names Marks of poor
scholars Test of good ones-rCorolla Stamens Pistils
Calyx Receptacle Sepals Nature of a Calyx Petals
Nature of the Corolla Filament Anther Stigma Style
Pollen Germ Uses of the Stamens and Pistils Flint's
comparison Male Flowers Female Fowers Media
Beauty of the Vegetable Kingdom contrasted with that o
the Animal Nectary Its Use Wind, Insects, and Man
disseminating the Pollen Use of Calyx Use of Corolla
Weather Prophets Scarlet Pimpernel Anecdote Four
o'Clock Dial of Flowers Mrs. Hemans.
II.
Roses, Poisons and Turnips growing together Food alone
does not make a difference of form and properties Soul
cannot make the heart beat Vital Powers Causes surmised
from effects Two kinds of powers in Nature Two Seeds
Builders-Up Pullers-Down Account of the Creation of
the vital powers of Plants in general Office of the leaves of
VI TABLE OP CONTENTS.
Plants Oflice of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere Animals
resemble Lamps Carbonic Acid Two things required to
keep animals alive Fable of Saadi Four elementary prin-
ciples Curious mode of living in butterfly flowers Stom-
achs of Plants Purification of the sap by the leaves Odors
Glands Poisons Medicines Life power only can make
vital products Parisian chemist?.
III.
Meaning of Botany Number of species known Definition of
a species Varieties Genera how formed Marks of the
Rose genus What constitutes a genus Specific differences
Number of genera Higher modes of grouping First ten
classes of Linneus how known Derivation of the name of
each Similar prefixes used in ordinary language Remain-
ing fourteen classes Orders of the first thirteen classes how
formed Class and Order of the Lily Linnean System but
an introduction to the Natural First Class Song of the
Monandrian Tribes Second Class Song of the Diandrian
Tribes Third Class Food better than riches illustrated
Song of the Triandrian Tribes.
IV.
Flowers in the Class Tetrandria Southey's Lines on the
Holly Song of the Tetrandrian Tribes Number of Flow-
ers in Pentandria Rough leaved plants Forget Me Not
Bindweed Tribe Potato family poisonous Tubers of the
Hemlock Tribe eaten like the Potato Modifying of poison-
ous plants Song of the Pentandrian Tribes Class Hexan-
dria Mono-Cotyledones Nature provides for the seed as
she does for the young chicken Di-Cotyledones Poly-Co-
tyledones A-Cotyledones Flowers in Hexandria Nar-
cissus Song of the Hexandrian Tribes Class Heptane] ria
Horse Chesnut Chick Weed Wintergreen Song of the
Heptandrian Tribes.
TABLE OP CONTENTS. Vll
V.
Class Octandria Sycamore Horse Chesnut Song of the
Octandrian Tribes Class Enneandria Song of the Enne-
andrian Tribes Symmetry in Plants Class Decandria
Poke Weed harmless when young Arbutus Venus Fly
Trap Song of the Decandrian Tribes Class Dodecandria
Song of the Dodecandrian Tribes Class Polyandria
Water Lily Song of the Polyandrian Tribes.
VI.
Class Didynamia Orders not dependent on the number of
pistils, as in the first thirteen classes Gymnospermia An-
giospermia Labiate Flowers Ringent Personate Sage
Harmony of Nature Character of the Ringent Flowers
Fox Glove Song of the Didynamian Tribes Class Tetra-
dynamia Characteristics of the Cruciform Family The
two Orders Siliculosa Shepherd's Purse Siligriosa
Wall Flower Song of the Tetradynamian Tribes Class
Monadelphia Order Triandria Passion Flower Gera-
niums Order Polyandria, a natural assemblage Song of
the Monadelphian Tribes.
VII.
Class Diadelphia Papilonaceae Dissection of a Papilona-
ceous flower Petalostemons Lupine Furze Seneka
Snake Root Moving Plant Song of the Diadelphian
Tribes^ -Class Polyadelphia How modern Botanists dis-
pose of Dodecandria St. John's Wort Song of the Poly-
adelphian Tribes Class Syngenesia Its characteristics
from the preceding Composite Polygamia ^qualis
Polygamia Superflua John Mason Good on the Daisy
Polygamia Frustanea Polygamia Nescessaria Polygamia
Segregata Song of the Syngenesian Tribes.
...
Vlii TABLE OF CONTENTS
VIII.
Class Gynandria Pollinia Peculiarities of the Orchis family
Ladies' Tresses Habits of the Orchis Tribe Song of the
Gynandrian Tribes Class Moncecia Trees in it Hazel-
Corn Flint's remarks on the fructification of Maize Flow-
ers of little streams Song of the Moncacian Tribes Class
Dio3cia Fruit of the Fig Method of producing two crops
of it in one season Explanation Banyan Tree Indian
Rubber and Cow Trees Myrica Rafflesia Song of the
Dicecian Tribes.
IX.
Class Polygamia Its Orders Song of the Polygamian Tribes
Class Cryptogamia Sporse Mode in which it is Said
Linneus formed it Number of its Orders Ferns Their
Fructification Maiden Hair Height of Ferns in tropical
climates Mosses Mungo Park Habits of Mosses
Wordsworth Liverworts Sea Weeds Lichens Mush-
rooms Their Habits Qualities How to tell the species
for Catsup Tuber Mushrooms Song of the Cryptogamian
Tribes Rejected Classes Imperfections of the Linnean
System Number not reliable, and how managed by bota-
nists in classing Distinction between the two systems- -
How to acquire the name of botanist.
X.
Planting of slips Polypi Their resemblance to plants Life
germs Why a tree turned upside down should have
branches and leaves from the former roots, and vice versa
Cotyledons Office of seed making Use of fruit Silk used
and Cotton Differences between seed and life germs Two
objects must be attended to in causing germs to sprout
Layers Nature's method of propagating plants in this way
-^Banyan tree Pope's Willow Humboldt Grafting and
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX
slips Seed cradle Common origin of leaves Corolla sta-
mens, &c. Proof Garden flowers to be avoided by young
botanists Treatment of fruit trees Their short lives Cen-
tury Aloe Lilies Annual, Biennial and Perennial Plants
Large and long-lived trees produce small fruit Philosopher.
XL
Adaptive power of nature Balsam capsules Dandelion bal-
loons Burdock hooks Erigeron, Mahogany, and Cocoa-
nut Vital powers of seeds Planting of woods by squirrels
Barrier to the dissemination of seeds Vallisneria Poem
Air flower Habits of indigenous plants of hot climates
Solandra Brosimum Size of leaves in temperate and torrid
regions Talipot Clothing of trees Divination of botanists
Heath of the Cape of Good Hope Thunberg Uses of poi-
sonous plants Their general situation Plain near Rome
Stramonium Manhattan Island Locality of useful and
dangerous plants Analogy of animals Cold climates
Aconite Remedies exist with the disease Willow Dis-
covery of Peruvian bark.
XII.
Methods of preserving the grass tribes Use of bitter herbs in
the fields Herbarium Keeping plants for analysis Pre-
serving plants Change of color when dried Thornton's
comparison Botanical Directory Its application Mira-
bilis Verbena Bouncing Bet Endogens Exogens For-
mation of endogenous stems Wood cutter Formation of
Exogenous stems Cabbage like tops Parellel vein leaves
Mode of discovering the age of trees Perfect wood Al-
burum Coloring matter Mahogany Ebony Forma-
tion of bark Gimblet Inscriptions Adanson Daniel
Boone
X TABLE OF CONTENTS.
'
XIII.
Synopsis of the classes and orders, with examples under each
Examples of Genera and Species for exercising the learner.
XIV.
Floral Dictionary preceded by Poetry.
XV.
Glossary of technical terms.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
FIRST CONVERSATION.
Laura. Sister, what kind of flowers are
these?
Emily. I have never examined them par-
ticularly enough to discover their name. But
you must not gather any of them as they are
poisonous.
L. If you do not know their name and have
not paid much attention to them, I should like
to know how you are aware they are at all dan-
gerous ?
E. It will be a means of showing you
Laura, how a very little knowledge is of great
use sometimes. I knew the nature of the flow-
ers from a rule framed by botanists, which says,
that all plants with five stamens and one pistil,
with a dull colored lurid corolla, and of a nau-
seous sickly smell, are always poisonous. Many
a life has been spared and much trouble pre-
vented by simple attention to this rule.
12 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. But may there not be other methods of
judging plants ? In reading a book lately, I was
very much interested in the account of a starv-
ing traveller, who at his greatest need found
some plants, the roots of which he dug up, but
was afraid to eat until he had given a part to
some animals that were near him ; after they
had eaten he had no more scruples, and freely
satisfied his hunger. Would not such a plan
be better than printed rules, and much easier
besides ?
E. A more unsafe method of proceeding
can hardly be imagined. Our common barn-
yard fowls eat without danger the seeds of
many plants that would be fatal to man. The
nature of the inferior animals differs much from
men, for hogs and horses will fatten by eating
arsenic. Rely upon it, there is no regal or rather
lazy-folks-road to knowledge, and expedients,
similar to the one you have mentioned, show a
lack of information instead of its possession.
L. As he did not know the name of the
plant, I cannot think of any other way of finding
out whether it was safe to eat or not.
E. There are, however, many other modes,
in instance of which I may mention a story that
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 13
is related about the expedition sent some time
since with the view of discovering the spot
where the celebrated La Peyrouse was ship-
wrecked. The whole of the crew, from the
necessaiy confinement produced by the length
of the voyage, became afflicted with scurvy, and
were suffering greatly, when prompt relief was
afforded by the use of an unknown plant of the
Cruciform family that was discovered on the
coast of New Holland by a botanist attached to
the expedition. As the Cruciform family is in
all its branches anti-scorbutic, he became aware
the moment he met with a cross-shaped flower,
which is the distinguishing mark of that family,
that he had found a means of cure, though he
could not tell the name of the plant. Had the
traveller you speak of understood botany, he
need not have had recourse to the lower ani-
mals to discover the properties of his roots.
L. But if there were no flowers to be seen
could he tell in that case ?
E. Most likely, for there are other marks
Avhich you will find out when you proceed, as I
hope you will, in the study of this science.
L. I have never felt as if I should like to
study it. There are so many hard names, I
J4 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
feel certain I could not learn them all. Julia
Williams has been studying botany a long time,
and yet even now, when she comes to a hard
word has to look in her glossary to find out its
meaning. I have seen her perplexed in this
way many and many a time.
E. Which trouble arises from the fact that
she does not learn her subject thoroughly as she
proceeds. Persons of her disposition are always
poor scholars, and will inevitably remain so till
cured of such wretched habits. It is not be-
cause science is so difficult, but merely because
they are too indolent. Be always sure to study
the technical terms of any branch you commence
till you perfectly understand them ; do this in
botany and it will ensure you a rapid and easy
progress. Such a method of proceeding is the
only real test of good scholarship.
L. I can easily see even now that you are
right, for if I was called on at this moment to
apply the rule you give relative to poisons, I
could not do it, as I do not even know what a
corolla is.
E. It is the painted part of the flower often
called the blossom. In the pink before us,
(fig. 1.) the flat variegated portion with the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 15
claws attached to it is called the corolla, a. In-
side the corolla you may perceive a set of up-
right threads with caps on them : these are the
stamens, 6. ; and in the centre of all are the pis-
tils, c. The whole is set in a cup called the
calyx, d. The end of the stalk, at the point of
attachment of these organs, is called the recep-
tacle or receiver of the rest. Now, Laura, I
wish you to mention the names of the several
parts as I take the pink to pieces. And to com-
mence, what is this ?
L. The outermost of all next the receptacle ?
that is the calyx, d.
E. It is in fact nothing but the termination
of the green covering or bark of the stem or
stalk. When it consists of separate parts each
leaf is called a sepal. The name is derived
from the Latin, calyx, a cup. What is this ?
L. The colored part or corolla, a.
E. As the calyx was the termination of the
outer bark, so is this of the inner. Its leaves
are called petals. The name is derived from
the Greek, meaning a crown. What are these ?
L. The stamens : there are ten of them.
E. Each one is divided into two parts. The
longest portion is called a filament, 1, from the
16 BOTANY TOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Latin, filum a thread. The cup is the anther,
2, or pollen box. What are these ?
L. The two pistils ; they are the innermost
of all.
E. Each pistil is divided into three parts;
the stigma, 1 ; style, 2 ; and germ, 3.
L. Can you tell of what use so many parts
are?
E. Yes. After the blossom opens, if you
watch carefully, you would perceive the little
anthers become full of a yellowish powder call-
ed pollen, from which comes their name of pol-
len-boxes. The final object of this pollen is to
be shaken on the stigma or top of the pistil.
After it is shaken on it, part of it pierces the
germ or seed case at the base of the pistil, and
except this germ, in most cases, the other parts
having now fulfilled their offices, drop off; the
seed case or germ is meanwhile enlarging, and
continues increasing in size until the seeds are
fully ripe. These seeds with their coverings
are termed, in the language of botany, fruit.
Will you read from this page Flints beautiful
comparison on tjjis subject ?
L. He says that the analogy of the world of
animal life is still preserved, and that the male
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 17
flowers, as the stronger and bolder sex, are
drawn by the impulses of nature to pay court to
the feebler and more delicate female. The
male stamina, with their gaily painted hats, bow
around the female pistil as beaus about their
belle. Each, in turn, is permitted to come in
contact with the fair, and as the contact takes
place, the golden pollen is shaken upon the pis-
til and the stamen retires to give place to the
next that offers the same homage. What does
it mean here when it speaks of male and female
flowers ?
E. From the pistil nourishing the fruit in its
bosom it is considered as the mother, and bears
a Greek name signifying wife, Grynia, while
the stamens that stand by and guard her, are
termed husbands, Andria. Darwin makes
very pretty allusion to this in his poetical de-
scription of the Meadi a, or American Cowslip:
"Meadia's soft chains fine suppliant beaus confess,
And hand in hand the laughing belle address,
Alike to all she bows with wanton air,
Rolls her dark eye, and waves her golden hair."
You will appreciate the suitableness of these
lines when you know more abouj the plant.
Li. Why are flowers so very handsome and
yet no one thinks much of pulling them to
18 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
pieces. We are not nigh as beautiful, though I
am sure, much more valuable.
E. That question has puzzled many a-one.
and yet is easily explainable. In plants, the
most curious parts of their structure are laid
open to view, but the similar organs in ourselves
entirely concealed. I have no doubt, were it
possible to render your hand transparent so that
you might see the wondrous animated ma-
chinery and gorgeous colors displayed there, the
spectacle would far surpass in beauty and finish
that exhibited by the rarest production of the
vegetable kingdom.
L. You have explained the uses of the sta-
mens and pistils; thje corolla, I suppose, has
no particular virtue it is only for ornament.
E. It is the opinion of many that it prepares
a fluid for the nourishment of the stamens, and
this opinion is rather strengthened by the obser-
vation in some flowers of the nectary being only
a part of it, as in the common Columbine of the
gardens : the little horns of that flower which
some have compared to doves stooping to drink,
from whence a^bse its name of Columbine, fron i
Columba, a dove are nectaries.
L. What is the use of the Nectary ?
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 19
E. Always for the secretion of honey, and
some say this honey is merely for the purpose
of tempting insects to come to the plants.
There are not a few instances in which the
male flowers grow on one plant and the female
flowers on another : as the pollen must be sha-
ken on the pistil to ensure fruit, the wind and
insects are relied upon for doing this, so that
you can perceive the advantage which ensues
from companies of insects while gathering honey
on the male plant, becoming covered with pol-
len, visiting directly afterwards the female for the
same purpose, and leaving with the last the dust
that had adhered to them from the first. The
Date has its male and female flowers OH sepa-
rate trees, but the people, not daring to trust
to uncertainties, regularly when the pollen be-
comes ripe, sprinkle it over the female flowers,
and thus secure to themselves a valuable, and
often indispensable crop of fruit. The nectaiy
in many cases, however, is a separate organ not
directly connected with the corolla.
L. What object does the calyx serve.
E. To guard the outer part of the flower,
keeping its blossoms in the right place and
shielding it from injury. The corolla, whether
20 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
connected with the secretion of honey or not,
serves as a protection to the stamens, folding up
regularly at night, to protect them from the
influences of the weather.
L. But some, like the bluebells, cannot fold
up.
E. There is no need for them to do so, their
protection is equally efficacious, as covering
them in the manner they do, .they serve the
purposes of a bell glass, screening them from
injurious influences, as the glass does the fancy
clock in the parlor.
L. I should think if the corolla folded up
to shelter the stamens at night it would do the
same in stormy weather, they need it as much
then as at any other time, perhaps more.
E. You are right, it should fold up at such
times, and it accordingly does do this. From
the circumstance of its closing before a storm.
and thus foretelling the approach of one, they
are often used as weather prophets. That
little flower below us is the Scarlet Pimper-
nel, better known to you, perhaps, as the
Weather -Glass ; when it does not open in the
morning the people stay at home and prepare
for rain, and they do this if there is not at the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 21
* A *" "
time a cloud in the sky and the sun shining
brightly. In France the peasants train to the
sides of their cottages a species of Caiiina,
whose open flowers encourage them to proceed
to their daily labor, but when closed form a
sure presage of approaching rain.
L. I have heard Uncle John tell a stoiy of a
shepherd boy meeting a gentleman with his dogs
and gun, going out a hunting, a ad warning him
to return home ; but as' there were no signs of
rain, the gentleman thought he was foolish,
and laughed at him. Before noon, however, it
rained in torrents, and the gentleman was forced
to return ; on liis way he met his friendly
adviser, whom he had treated so rudely, and his
curiosity being much excited to find the means
the boy possessed of foretelling rain, he offered
him a guinea for the information. The boy
took the guinea and told him he had noticed
that the Shepherd's Weather Glass was not open
as he passed it in the morning.
E. Not only do many flowers seem possessed
of an instinct to close on the approach of dan-
ger, but there is an equal, if not greater power
exhibited in their not opening until the proper
.
22 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
time, when the most benefit will be derived
from the heat and light. Likely the object is
to give the pollen the best chances for ripening.
You must have observed the singular opening
of the Four O'Clock, about the hour its name
denotes every afternoon ?
L. O, yes, I shall not soon forget taking
Maria round the garden to see them, and
we could not find any, though I was certain
they had been there the day before. It was
not until some time afterwards I found that
the cause of our not finding them was because
we had made too early a visit, and they, like
fashionable people, could not be seen so soon.
E. Grainger, in his poem on the sugar
cane, recommends the planters to permit their
slaves to retire to their huts on the opening
of these flowers as a shelter from the heat. The
greater number of flowers have such a regular
time for opening and shutting, that Linneus gave
a list of a number with the idea that it should an-
swer the purpose of a watch, so that by watching
the particular time at which a flower opened
or shut we could name the exact hour and
minute. Mrs. Hemans wrote some lines on
." '
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 23
ihis far-famed Dial of Flora, which I wish
you would read from her book.
Li. 'Twas a lovely thought to mark the hours
As they floated in light away,
By the opening and the folding flowers
That laugh to the summer day.
Thus had each moment its own rich hue,
And its graceful cup and bell,
In whose colored vase might sleep the dew,
Like a pearl in an ocean shell.
To such sweet signs, might the time have flown
In a golden current on, ^
Ere from the garden, man's first abode,
The glorious guests were gone.
So might the days have been brightly told,
Those days of song and dreams,
When shepherds gathered their flocks of old
By the blue Arcadian streams.
So in those isles of delight that rest
Far off in a breezeless main,
Which many a bark with a weary gueti,
Has sought, but still in vain.
Vet is not life in its real flight,
Marked thus, even thus on earth,
By the closing of one hope's delight
And another's gentle birth ?
Oh let us live, so that flower by flower,
Shutting in turn may leave,
A lingerer still for the sunset hour,
A charm for the shaded eve.
5i4 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
.SECOND CONVERSATION.
L. How is it sister, that at the end of our
garden, next the rosebushes, there are some
Stramonium plants growing, and a little further
on some turnips. I have been looking at the
ground and it appears to me all of the same
kind ; so I cannot see how roses, and poisons, and
turnips, can be made of exactly the same thing.
E. Our food at table is generally alike, is
it not Laura ?
L. Yes, almost always.
E. Why then do not your features and
form resemble mine, as exactly as you would
have the plants simulate one another ?
L. Our souls make us look as we do-
plants have no souls.
E. That would not answer my question.
It is not your soul that digests your food or
makes your heart beat, for in that case these
actions could not take place while you slept.
You have within you a principle, separate from
the soul, called the Vital Power, whose office
it is to take charge of the building up and
repairing of your body. A plant has exactly
the same kind of principle, without a soul. It
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 25
must be in some measure immaterial, and
we can only recognize its existence by its effects.
L. But I do not comprehend how you can
tell about that which you cannot see.
E. Here is my watch; can you tell what
makes it go?
L. Yes; the mainspring. I perceive what
you mean : that when I am witnessing a set
of actions I should think there must be some
cause sufficient to produce these actions, even
though that cause is hidden.
E. You understand me perfectly. There
are two kinds of powers in nature, the Life
Powers and the Mechanical forces, and these
are in perpetual opposition. A good example
of this is shown in the case of two seeds, one of
which has had an electric spark passed through
it in order to destroy its powers. Place both
in a warm moist place, and watch the effects.
The dead seed soon rots and disappears, while
the very warmth and moisture that caused it to
decompose excites the living one to grow.
A violent contest is evident, the effect of which
is seen by the sprouting of a plant that hangs
out its rlowery banners in token of victory.
The Mechanical Forces, from destroying every
3'
26 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
thing to which they have access, are called the
Pullers-down of nature, while their opponents
have been styled the Builders-up. Besides,
the knowledge received from observation, we
have another and an unerring source of infor-
mation on this subject. The Bible mentions
the express creation of a set of vegetable powers
distinct from matter and the Mechanical
Forces. Will you read the account from Gen.
ii. v. 5?
L. And the LORD GOD made every plant of
the field before it wns in the earth, and every
herb of the field before it grew. Plants then
were made before animals.
E. Yes, plants are necessary to the existence
of animals, their leaves are required to purify
<he air.
L. I thought storms did that?
E. They render assistance in another way.
but not at all in this of which we are speaking.
If I place this large bellglass or receiver over
the lamp, how long will it continue burning ?
L. A very little time. You have told me
before that two kinds of gases, oxygen and nitro-
gen, form the atmosphere. Oxygen is the true
supporter of combustion, and the nitrogen is
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 27
mixed with it to weaken it, otherwise every thing
would burn up too fast. After a little while
the flame would consume all the oxygen inside
the receiver, and then, as it could not burn
without more of it, go out.
E. Suppose there was some contrivance
inside the receiver by which oxygen gas was
thrown out in sufficient quanties to supply
the combustion, when would the flame cease ?
L. Not until both the oil and wick were
burned up.
E. All animals, including man, resemble
lamps in requiring oxygen to keep them burning
or alive. But here the resemblance ceases, for
the lamp merely consumes the oxygen, but
animals, in return for this gas, throw out carbo-
nic acid, a compound, you know, of charcoal and
oxygen ; this is to them a deadly poison, being of
the same kind as the gas found at the bottom
of wells and cisterns, and which so often
kills those who incautiously descend into them ;
its mere accumulation in the atmosphere would
be sufficient to destroy animal life. To allow
us to breathe then, two objects must be attended
to ; in the first place, a supply of oxygen to take
the place of that which is consumed, and, in
28 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
the second, a means of getting rid of the
carbonic acid which would soon kill us if
allowed to remain. Both these objects are
answered by the leaves of plants which decom-
pose the carbonic acid the moment it touches
them. The carbon it retains in its own sub-
stance, and sends back the oxygen for the use
of animals. You can see from this how depen-
dent we are on even the minutest spire of grass
or leaf of a moss, and what necessity there
was to make the vegetable world a little before
the animal. Saadi, the Persion poet, has a
beautiful fable on this subject, in which it has
been aptly said of him, that he proved as a phi-
losopher the harmony in nature which he sung
as a poet. Will you read it from this ?
L. A nightingale is imprisoned in a cage of
glass with a rosebush blooming with flowers.
Each owes its life to the other. Deprived of
fresh air, the bird would soon cease to swell its
little throat with harmony. The rose eagerly
absorbs the air which has been respired by its
loved philomel, and drawing nourishment from
it, blushes brighter tints, retaining the carbon,
and throwing back the oxygen to be inhaled
anew by the bird of song. As often as the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 29
nightingale loads the air with effluvia pernici-
ous to itself, the rose neutralizes the poison in
its own bosom, and returns pure air to fts fel-
low prisoner. When the bird at length expires
of old age, singing its dirge of gratitude, the
rosebush withers and dies.
E. This fable presents the subject in its true
light, by showing you that while the plant is
really necessary to our existence, it is, in work-
ing for us, only subserving its own purposes.
The four principal elements of vegetables, are
CARBON, OXYGEN, HYDROGEN, and NITRO-
GEN. Water is made of the second and third
of these, and the atmosphere of the second and
fourth. We have seen from w T hat source the
Carbon may be derived, so that the facility with
which plants can find means of sustenance need
excite no surprise ; nor yet that they can live
without touching the ground and exist on air
and the moisture contained in it. Have you
ever seen plants that did this, Laura?
L. O yes. There are Orchis plants in the
hot-house, that look just like butterflies, both in
shape and color, which the gardener says live
on nothing but air. and that he has not even to
water them.
4
30 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E. The food taken into the stomach after
eating, is digested, and then goes through a
variety of processes, which terminates by pass-
ing it through the lungs, at which place carbo-
nic acid is thrown out and oxygen received.
Plants take their food by means of little bundles
of leech-like mouths fixed at the end of their
roots, termed spongioles ; these suck from the
soil whatever is necessary to the support of the
plant, and then act the part of stomachs by im-
mediately digesting it. A set of vessels carries it
up to the leaves to be further elaborated, while
there, a supply of carbon, a substance which
makes most of the body of the plant, is received,
and a corresponding amount of oxygen thrown
off, and the sap, thus purified, goes the rounds
of the system in another set of vessels, to supply
its necessities and form its compounds.
L. Then the odors of Rose and Lemon, and
Cinnamon, are made of nothing but air and
water.
E. The elements of their composition are
mostly derived from the substances you have
named. In the human system are a set of
bodies called glands, whose office it is to make
up or combine the various secretions required in
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 31
the body. When the blood comes to these
glands they take from it whatever they want,
and then manufacture from those materials the
substances required. It is in this way the liver
makes bile, and the lachrymal gland tears.
Plants have a similar set of little organs, or
glands, that from the pure juice make up the
essential oils, as Rose, Cinnamon, Lavender, and
Lemon ; the different salts, as Oxalic Acid, Qui-
nine, and Salacine ; and noxious compounds, as
the Upas juice, and Prussic Acid. Odors, pois-
ons, and medicines, are all made in this way, by
the life power, from the simplest elements.
L. But we could not take those elements and
make them?
E. Certainly not. It could only be accom-
plished by the agency of the life-power working
in its accustomed manner. Some years since
when it became generally known of what ele-
ments milk was composed, the chemists of Paris
undertook to supply that city with pure milk of
their own manufacture, but as they could not
govern the vital powers, their influence being
limited to the forces of mechanics and chemis-
try, the attempt signally failed. To-morrow,
we will commence studying the classincatiori~of
32 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
plants, to which most of the matter we have
gone over, has been but preliminary.
THIRD CONVERSATION.
E. Well, Laura, I perceive you are ready to
commence the study of classification. You un-
derstand enough of the elementary organs to
proceed without further trouble. But before we
commence will you find out the meaning of the
word Botany ?
L. It is said to be derived from a Greek word
signifying the history of the vegetable kingdom.
Its object is to examine the different parts or
organs of plants, and explain their functions :
and to compare one with another so as to make
a basis of discrimination.
E. There are 100,000 different species of
plants known at the present time, and this num-
ber is constantly increasing by new discoveries.
L. What is a species ?
E. Linneus thought, what was undoubtedly
the case, that there were as many species as dif-
ferent forms of vegetables produced at the
creation. It is in the knowledge of the great-
ft.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 33
est number of species, the best botanist is
shown. A species is a family agreeing with
each other in every particular, except in some
instances where cultivation produces what are
called varieties. Thus, all the yellow roses
form one species, the damask roses another, the
Frrnch roses a third, and so on through a great
number.
L. But is there not some mode of grouping
the roses under one head which will distinguish
them from pinks, and lilacs, and other flowers,
as the species show a difference between them-
selves?
E. Yes. A number of species form a genus.
All flowers with a pitcher-shaped calyx, which
is fleshy, contracted at the base, and divided
into five parts that adhere to each other the
corollas of which have fine petals, and inside
many hairy seeds affixed to the calyx belong
to the rose genus. A genus may be compared
to an ordinary family, all of whom bear the
same surname, though each person is distin-
guished by a particular specific name. The
genus is constituted by the presence, or absence,
the number, figure, proportion, and situation of
the several parts : in fixing on these it was, of
34 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
course, necessary to select such as are constant
in both genus and species. The roots, trunk,
and brandies, may all furnish specific differ-
ences, while the nectary and other important
rrgans, are selected for the generic.
L. In how many genera are these 100,000
species divided ?
E. There are now over 6000 genera described.
L. Is there any still higher mode of classifica-
tion by which the genera are combined together ?
E. Yes ; into orders, and these again com-
bine to form classes. Can you repeat the names
of the different divisions ?
L. Species, Genera, Orders, and Classes.
E. That is right. It is now my intention to
take each class separately, mention how ita
orders are formed, and notice some of the flow-
ers belonging to it. I will, before commencing,
give you a general idea of the Linnean System
of Classification. The first ten classes are
known by the number of single stamens in a
flower, for instance, if there is one stamen it is
in the first class ; two stamens place it in the
second class, and so with the others, until you
arrive at ten. What class was the Pink in we
analysed ?
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 35
L. The tenth class. How very easy such a
system is.
E. It has been much celebrated for its ex-
treme simplicity. You remember the meaning
of the Greek word Andria ? to this is added the
Greek terms of the numbers, one, two, and
three, up to ten, thus :
1 MON- ANDRIA, one husband.
2 DI-ANDRIA, two husbands.
3 TRI-ANDRIA, three husbands.
4 TETR-ANDRIA, four husbands.
5 PENT-ANDRIA, five husbands.
6 HEX-ANDRIA, six husbands.
7 HEPT-ANDRIA, seven husbands.
8 OCT-ANDRIA, eight husbands.
9 ENNE-ANDRIA, nine husbands.
10 DEC-ANDRIA, ten husbands.
Many of these prefixes are used in ordinary
language, as monarchy, dialogue, tripod, tetra-
gon, pentagon, hexagon, heptarchy, octagon,
and decimate.
L. I can remember the names of the first
ten without difficulty : but they are so easy I
am afraid something more difficult is coming.
E. Not so ; you have already mastered the
hardest part. The remaining classes are :
36 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLK
11 DODEC-ANDRIA. from 11 to 20 husbands.
12 ICOS-ANDRIA, 20 or more husbands affixed
to the calyx.
13 POLY-ANDRIA, many husbands affixed to
the receptacle.
14 DIDYNAMIA, four husbands 2 stronger
than the rest.
15 TETRADYNAMIA, six husbands 4 stronger
than the rest.
16 MONADELPHIA, one brotherhood hus-
bands joined in one set.
17 DIADELPHIA, two brotherhoods husbands
joined in two sets.
18 POLYADELPHIA, many brotherhoods hus-
bands joined in more than two sets.
19 SYNGENESIA, many flowers in one anthers
united.
20 GYN-ANDRIA, husband growing from the
wife.
21 MONCECIA, husbands and wives in different
looms of the same house.
22 DICECIA, husbands and wives in separate
houses.
23 POL YG AM i A, mixture of the two preceed
ing, with perfect flowers.
24 CYPTOGAMIA, flowerless plants.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 37
I will explain them more minutely as we pro-
ceed.
L. In what manner are the ORDERS found
out?
E. Those in the first thirteen classes depend
on the number of pistils, or rather stigmas, as
the styles are often wanting, and the stigma
rests upon the germ. As the pink is included
in this number, will you tell what order it is in ?
L. The pink has two pistils and is conse-
quently in the second order of the tenth class.
Do they prefix the Greek numbers to them as
naming the classes ?
E. Yes. The first order is MONOGYNIA,
the second DIGYNIA, and so with the others.
There are two orders in the 14th class ; but we
had better defer mention of them until we come
to the classes themselves. In what class and
order, Laura, is the Lily that is in this vase ?
L. The sixth class and first order, from the
six stamens and one pistil. How very simple
the system of Linneus is !
E. You must remember it is not a perfect
system, by any means, and at the present day
used but as an introduction to a far more per-
fect one. the Natural System, in contrast with
38 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
which, that of Linneus' is called Artificial. But
to commence ; here is a collection of songs of
the different classes modified. The different
subjects of Flora, or the Queen of Flowers, are
supposed to be called up to recite their different
gathering songs, all of which I wish you to com-
mit to memory. And now, what is the first
class ?
L. Monandria, composed of plants having
but one stamen.
E. You can see all the different ranks repre-
sented in the first plate in the order of their
classification. A glance at it will teach you
more than I can tell you in a long time. The
few plants Monandria contains, generally be-
long to the warmest climates, as the Ginger
and Cardamon. The Canna is the name of a
genus of flowering reeds, found native in
the United States ; some of the species of this
genus found in the southern continent, are emi-
nently beautiful. The flowers which are col-
lected in clusters expand gradually, and are noted
for their curious appearance. The Arrowroot
Maranta, and Marestail Hippuris, belong also
to this class. The Salicornia or Glasswort,
is a plant commonly found in England, on the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 39
muddy shores of the sea, overflowed by the
tide. The name is one of the descriptive words
of Linneus, by which he so well knew how to
distinguish the plants he named. It is derived
from sal salt, and cornu a horn, from the horn-
like branches and saline nature of the plant.
The species are very useful by yielding a great
quantity of soda for the manufacture of glass
and soap. Now Laura, your song.
L. SONG OF THE MON-ANDRIAN TRIBES.
Flower of the ocean though Nature refuse
Bright tints to thy blossom or fragrant dews,
Salicornia we name thee our chieftain's pride,
And honor thee still for virtues tried.
Frequenter of waters, thy curious form,
Hippuris is floating in sunshine and storm*
Our chieftain's crest is the Canna flower
With Maranta useful in sickness' dark hour.
E. The next class is Diandria or two sta-
mens. It contains a more numerous collection
of flowers than the first. The beautiful Speed-
well VERONICA, giving us all the different
shades of blue, and adorning neglected places,
road-sides, and ditches, early in the spring and
late in the autumn ; the blossoms of this genus
have a remarkable tendency to fly off in wet
40 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
weather. The Lilac Syringa, with its inimita-
bly delicate blossoms and fresh odor. The Pri-
vet Ligustmm, with its white blossoms forming
such an elegant ornament to the fences, and
generally found in company with the Lilac.
The useful, and in some of its species, resplen-
dent Sage Salvia, its different leaves varying
from a hoary wrinkled appearance and oval
shape, and very odorous, to the resemblance of
a lyre, and without scent. Nuttall, informs us
that in Florida, is a species with scarlet flowers,
and in South Carolina, one in which they are
a bright azure blue. The most splendid and
easily cultivated of all being brought from Bra-
zil, which is covered in the fall with brilliant
flowers, even the calyx and stalk being of the
same color. The sweet Vernal-Grass, said to be
fragrant as a Tonca bean,will finish our list.
L. SONG OF THE DI-ADRIAN TRIBES.
The Speedwell flowers from hill and dale,
The Salvia bright, and the Privet pale,
With Fragrant Grass we bear in hand
For the lad who leads our gallant band.
Fair flowers should deck fair lady's head,
And balmy sweets in her pathway be spread.
O noble lady, refuse not thou,
The wreath of Syringa we place on thy brow.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 41
E. We come now to Triandria, or three
stamens. It is here we find the great tribes of
Grain. Reeds. Grasses, and Sugar Canes. The
Indian Corn does not belong here with the rest,
the reason of which you will find as we proceed.
Wheat has been aptly made the emblem of
riches, for. with the use of fire, it seems to
have been confided to the care of man to secure
him the sceptre of the earth. The grains most
useful to man, perish when they have matured
their seed and provided for his sustenance that
year: and without a fresh and over-called-for
renewal of his exertions, he would inevitably be
without them and starve, for none of the plants
that furnish them can now be found in a primi-
tive or wild state. There are times when food
is considered much more valuable than all the
riches in the world. Will you read this anec-
dote which very prettily proves my position ?
L. An Arab wandering in the desert, had
not tasted food for the space of two days, and
began to be apprehensive of famine. In pass-
ing near a well where the caravans stopped, he
perceived a little leather sack on the sand ; he
took it up saying, " God be praised, it is, I think,
a little flour." He hastened to open the sack.
42 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
but at the sight of its contents, he cried, " How
unfortunate I am ! it is only gold powder."
E. Without the plants of this class, the land-
scape would be destitute of beauty : their absence
invariably denotes solitude and sterility. It also
contains many splendid and valuable flowers,
some of which are noticed in the gathering song
with which we will close.
L. SONG OF THE TRI-ANDRIAN TRIBES.
The Crocus is ours with its petals of gold,
For us does the 7ns her banners unfold.
We clothe the green hill and the verdant dell,
And the shepherd loves in our land to dwell.
His flock in our boundless pasture he feeds,
And his cattle graze in our countless meeds.
Princess, our homage to thee we yield,
And hail thee as Queen of the forest and field.
FOURTH CONVERSATION.
E. Our next class is Tetrandria, or four
stamens. It contains many natural assem-
blages of plants, some of which are noted for
usefulness, some for curious properties, and some
for beauty. A far-famed plant in Jliis class, is
the Holly Ilex, an ornamental timber tree.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 43
An author speaking of the Holly, says that the
economy of trees, plants, and vegetables, is a
curious subject of inquiry, and in all of them
we may trace the hand of a beneficent Creator.
The same care that he has bestowed on his
creatures, he has extended to hollies : the edges
of the leaves are provided with strong sharp
spines as high up as they are within the reach
of cattle; above that height the leaves are
smooth, the protecting spines being no longer
necessary.
L. I remember reading some poetry on the
Holly, by Southey the English poet : shall I get
the book and read it to you ?
E. If you please,. Laura.
L. Oh reader ! hast thou ever stood to see
The Holly tree,
The eye that contemplates it will perceive
Its glossy leaves ;
Ordered by an intelligence so wise,
As might confound the Atheist's sophistries.
Below a circling fence its leaves are seen
Wrinkled and keen ;
No grazing cattle through their prickly round
Can reach to wound ;
But as they grow where nothing is to fear,
Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves nppenr.
44 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E. The Dogwood Genus Comus, most beau-
tifully ornaments our woods in May and June.
They are of all sizes, from a few inches to the
height of small trees and shrubs. Willis speaks
of toting loads of dogwood blossoms. There is
a remarkable plant in this class which you may
remember my pointing out to you last March
near the wood, it was almost covered with snow
and looked somewhat like you said, a huge frog
half buried. It was the Skunk Cabbage Sym-
plocarpus, called such from its disagreeable odor
exactly resembling that of the animal from
which it is named. The Witch Hazel, is an-
other curious plant found here, noted for its flow-
ering late in the fall, when its leaves are falling
off, the yellow fringe-like blossoms being devel
oped on naked branches. The Teasel Dipsa
cus, is cultivated for dressing cloth to which it
gives a finishing nap ; one of the species is known
as the Shepherd's Staff. With the yellow flow
ers of the Ladies Bed Straw Galium, you are
acquainted, as well as the Ladies Mantle Al-
chemilla, with which we will dismiss the Te-
trandrian Class after hearing your song.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 45
L. SONG OF THE TETRANDIAN TRIBES.
Thou to whom our vows belong,
Princess, listen to our song 1
A golden couch we spread for thee,
With clustering heaps of Galium flowers,
The Shepherds Staff shall be our spear
To guard thee in thy noontide bowers.
Our Ladies' Mantle, while we sing,
To deck thy couch we humbly bring ;
And woodland CorneFs flowery boughs,
We bind around thy snowy brow,
Thou to whom our vows belong,
Princess ! listen to our song ?
E. Our next is Pentandria, or five stamens,
which is the most important class by far of the
twenty-four, and contains alone one-fifth, at
least, of the flowers in the vegetable kingdom.
Xot only does the number five prevail in the
stamens, but most generally in every other part,
hi the plant that has five stamens you find five
petals, five sepals, and a five celled seed vessel.
In this class, much more than in the others, the
necessity of a natural system is strongly felt,
and it is here in fact, the learner becomes ac-
quainted with the leading features of that sys-
tem.
L. I am afraid I shall become confused by
such a mixture of classifications, and would
46 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
rather go on without learning any thing about
it until I understand the system of Linnaeus,
which we are now studying.
E> On the contrary, it will assist you very
much at present, and so far from confusing, render
your ideas more clear. One of the natural
groups in this class is the ASPERIFOLIA of Lin-
naeus, or rough -leaved plants, so called from asper
rough, a.nA folia a leaf. In this family you can
readily distinguish the Borage Borago, with
its bright blue starry flowers. The plant
abounds in juice, which is sometimes employed
in medicine, and is used in England for making
a cooling drink. The Vipers Bugloss- -Echium,
so named from the style which looks like the
forked tongue of a snake : it is often called Blue
Weed from the color of its blossoms. I will close
the account of this somewhat astringent family,
with the prettiest flower in it, the forget Me
Not Mysotis, the origin of whose name I heard
you reading the other day, do you remember it ?
L. O yes ! a lady and gentleman were walk-
ing by the banks of a river, when the lady ad-
mired the flower at some distance in the stream.
The gentleman plunged in the water to obtain
it for her, and got it, but his strength could not
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 47
carry him to the bank against the current of the
river, and he had just time to throw it on the
shore and cry out, Forget Me Not, before he
sunk and was drowned. The flower has al-
ways borne the name of Forget Me Not since.
E. Another family of this class, is that of the
Bindweed Convolvulus, which takes its name
from a word meaning to entwine, as their slen-
der stems twine around other plants to enable
them to support themselves. They are all
known by their bell-shaped, plaited corollas
which are handsomely colored of different hues.
The Morning Glory is one of them, the Sola-
num -Potato family is another, which includes
the Stramonium, Ground Cherry, Henbane, To-
bacco, and many others.
L. The potato family does not surely include
poisonous plants ?
E. It is itself poisonous. The tubers of the
potato plant which we eat, are merely reservois
of nourishment that it lays by for itself, and the
mealy matter of which, serves as food for us as
it would do for the plant if left alone. What-
ever poisonous matter is found in the tubers is
dissipated by the operations of cookery.
48 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. Is there any other poisonous plant that
can be used the same way ?
E. Yes, a number of them. In South Ame-
rica the tuberous roots of one of the Hemlock
Conium family, are eaten like the potato, and
esteemed quite as good.
L. Is it true that there are some poisonous
plants which, when young, can be eaten without
danger as table greens 1
E. It is ; but they must be well boiled first
Climate, as well as age, in a great measure,
modifies the poisonous properties of plants. The
Aconite, so poisonous with us, is eaten in Swe-
den as a salad to create appetite. But to return,
in the fifth class are the Honeysuckle tribe
Caprifolium, the Umbrella-like plants Umbelli-
fera, as the Carrot. Coriander, Dill, and Anis
Seed, and, to conclude, the enumeration of the
few I wish to bring before your mind, the Silk
Weeds and Violets. Your song, Laura.
L. SONG OF THE PENTANDRUN.
Oh talk not of Araby's spice scented gales,
Come wander awhile in our own fertile vales ;
Sweet blossoms are springing wherever we tread,
And the woodline is hanging its wreaths overhead.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 49
Its graceful boughs by the night winds are bent,
And how sweetly they give out their fragrant scent !
Say, canst thou envy Arabia now,
Or ask for her garlands to twine round thy brow ?
Oh talk not of India's rose hung bowers,
And the hues of rainbow-tinted flowers ;
Look thou on our rich and varied store,
And envy the gardens of Gul no more.
E. We now come to Hexandria or six sta-
mens, which Nuttall styles a very natural,
though varied assemblage of plants. With a few
exceptions the plants in it belong to the great
Mono-cotyledonous class of the natural system.
L. What does Mono-cotyledonous mean ?
E. Mono, you are aware, is the Greek term
for the number one : Cotyledon is a word deri-
ved from the same language, meaning cavity ;
its exact synonym is therefore one cavity. When
you break an egg you will notice the yolk ; this
would, if allowed to be hatched, form no part of
the future chicken, whose form begins in the
white ; the yolk remains in its body to serve as
a means of nourishment until it is able to pro-
vide food for itself. Nature expon Is no less care
on seeds, which are in truth vegetable eggs. Be-
sides the embryo of the future plant contained
in the seed, is a supply of nutritious matter
50 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
stored in the cavity of a leaf to supply its im-
mediate wants while germinating; hence the
leaf is called a Cotyledon or seed leaf. The
object in placing it in a leaf, is for this leaf to
sprout up and purify or prepare the root for the
young embryo. When but one leaf is observed,
the plant which is springing into being is con-
sidered as belonging to the Mono-Cotyledonon -
class ; if there are two leaves, to the Di-Cotyle-
donous class, and if more than two, to the Poly-
Cotyledonous class.
L. But if there are none, how are plants Avith-
out Cotyledons named ?
E. A Cotyledonous, meaning literally as you
observed, without Cotyledons. One of the Hex-
andrian class, the Lily, has already been men-
tioned ; of that genus the United States affords
several splendid species ; rivalling the Lily in
beauty, and, in the opinion of many, far more
stately and gorgeous, comes the Tulip, which
some time since so fearfully turned the heads of
the Dutch florists, that particular Tulips are
known to have been exchanged for farms,
horses and carriages, ships, and even large
estates. The Spiderwort Tradescanti, so com-
mon in our gardens, with its beautiful blue flow
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 51
ers, is also here with the Calamus and Hyacy-
cinth. The white bells of the Solomon's Seal
Convallaria, the edges of which seem to be
tinged with the green of the leaves under which
they are found peeping, and its elegant sister,
the Lily of the Valley, so renowned in song as
the emblem of purity, are also in the sixth class,
and then we have the Narcissus, whose history
I suppose you remember.
L. He was a youth who looked at himself in
a river, and was so delighted with his own beau-
tiful image as to fall in love with it. He
pined away inconsolably, and died of grief at
last. When his friends came to bury him they
only found a rising stalk with yellow blossoms
crowned, which ever after bears his name of
Narcissus.
E. I will close my enumeration by mention
ing the Bethlehem Star Ornithogalum, which,
like the Lily, has been made the emblem of
purity, and whose beautiful star-like blossoms,
so sweet, pure, and agreeable, -merit the distinc-
tion of its name. Its flowers are white as the
drifted snow.
52 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. SONG OP THE HEXANDRIAN TRIBES.
Fair blossoms o'er thy path we fling,
Narcissus, peerless flower of spring,
And the Vale Lily, lo, we bring,
O Gallant Chief
With Calcmus we strew the bower ;
But Bethlehem's Star shall be the flower
To guide us through the darkest hour,
O Gallant Chief!
With mystic rites we break the stem,
Now let its bright and silvery gem
Enrich thy silver diadem,
O Gallant Chief!
E. The Class Heptandria, or seven stamens,
is comparatively a small one, and the plants in
it afford rather imperfect specimens of the
class. The Horse Chesnut jEsculus, is here,
which comes to us from Mount Find us in Asia.
Its common name was derived from a custom
of the Turks, who ground the nuts of the tree
and mixed them with corn for their horses. It
gives the deepest and most solemn shade of any
tree which is known ; when in full blossom, such
are the elegance and beauty of its flowers, that
their contrast with the splendid green leaves
has caused the comparison of a mountain of
ivory and emeralds. The only other plant in
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 53
the class with which you can at all expect to
become acquainted, is the Chickweed Winter-
green Trientalis. a flower common both to
Europe and America. Our species has longer
and narrower leaves than the European, [t
may be found in May or June, the time when
it is in flower, in shady woods near the base of
trees. In Europe, its favorite home is in the
Highlands of Scotland, where it grows abun-
dantly, and is considered by botanists as one of
the most interesting vegetable productions of the
district. It is described by them as a delicate
little plant with bright green leaves, a slender
stem, and white star-like flowers. The brilliant
white flowers become tinged with pink as it
fades, and its black seeds are embossed in a cov-
erinsr which resembles the finest white lace,
O
called a reticulated tunic. Linneus distinguish-
ed this as his favorite little plant. We will
leave the clas? after your song.
L. SONG OF THE HEPTANDRIAN TRIBES.
Lady we bring thee our simple flower:
We have sought it in vain in the rose hung bower;
On the sunny bank where the violet blows ;
O'er the wide open downs where the wild thyme grows ;
It was not there ; it was not here ;
54 BOTANY FUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Then we followed the tracks of the mountain deer,
And turned with untiring zeal to explore
The tangled wood and the Highland moor.
And there the hermit flower was seen,
The lone and lowly Wintergrcen,
Chief of tribes but few, to thee
We bring our prize on bended knee.
FIFTH CONVERSATION.
E. The chieftain of the Class Octahiiia,
should wear a forester's dress, as it is to the
woods that most of its tribes belong. The Syca-
more is among them, waving its tall branches
close to the sea-side, and but little affected it is
supposed, by the tall spray. There are great
numbers of this stately tree on the east end of
Long Island ; but at present for some unknown
cause, though they formerly flourished well, are
decaying, and present a blighted appearance.
The name, which means a wild fig, was impro-
perly given, as it resembles the fig but veiy lit-
tle, not even as much as its brother, the Maple,
which tree with us attains a height of fifty
feet; its wood is useful in making cups and
bowls, but its principal value consists in the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 55
sweet sap it possesses in such abundance, from
which Maple sugar is made. In this class are
the heaths, with which the poor of Scotland
make their beds ; the Merzereon, whose honey-
ed flowers are among the first to regale the
bees in spring ; and the Rosebay Willow-herb,
an exceedingly gay flowering shrub. There
are many berries too, pleasant both to sight and
taste, the Bilberry, and Cranberry. The Tree
Primrose, a genus peculiar to our continent, of
which, in the United States, are many splendid
and curious species : the flowers are all either
yellow or white, and open only in the evening
after sun-set. The Fuchsia Ladies Ear-drops,
belongs here, as does the Herb Paris, often called
in England, Tine Love, or one berry, from its
single green blossom and black berry growing
in the centre of four verdant leaves. But I have
said enough to give you a concise idea of the
class, and will hear your song.
L. SONG OF THE OCTANDRIAN TRIBES.
Like bold Robin Hood and his merry men,
In the good green wood 'tis our joy to roam,
We deepen the shade of the forest glen,
And our branches we wave round the peasant's home.
56 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
A feast of sweet berries to cheer him we spread,
When he comes in our sylvan shade to recline ;
The Ht-atherwe give for his rustic bed,
And the Maple bowl for his honeyed vine.
We enrich the young shepherds who fly to our bower,
With many a prize for their favorite maids,
Aud we crown our gifts with the True Love flower,
Which unfolds its green leaves in our forest glades.
E. The Class Enneandria, or nine stamens,
contains your favorite, the Rhubarb ; also the
Sassafras, Camphor, and Cinnamon trees. The
Alligator pear of the West Indies, belongs here.
It is a very large fruit, with a taste like butter,
and very much esteemed. The Butomus, or
flowering rush, is in the ninth class. In England
this superb flower is so much admired as to be
called the pride of the Thames, its rich clusters
of rose colored blossoms covering the tall stem,
present a beautiful appearance in the midst of
the waters.
L. SONG OF THE ENNEANDRIAN TRIBES.
Chieftain for thee on the slender spear,
The crown of Butomus flowers we bear.
By the sedgy streams of the deep green vale,
We dwell with the summer nightingale.
She flies from India's sultry groves.,
To tell us sweet tales of her Eastern loves,
When the latest notes of the liquid song,
Are floating the woodland valleys among.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 57
The buds of the roseate flowers expand
As if waked to life by the music bland ;
Princess receive from the nymphs of the spring,
The Butomus blossoms thy votaries bring.
L. When speaking of the Class Pentandria,
I noticed the fact that almost all the flowers had
not only five stamens, but five petals and five
sepals ; I might have said that where the num-
ber varied it would be most probably a multiple
of five, as ten or fifteen. The same rule pre-
vails in other classes, where you have three sta-
mens, there will be generally three, six, or nine
petals and sepals. As might be expected from
this, the different classes that are multiples of
each other have considerably affinity. And it
is so between this class Decandria, or ten sta-
mens, and the fifth class. The American Sen-
na Cassia, is here, a valuable medicinal plant ;
though a larger dose is required of it to produce
the same effect than the Senna of the shops, yet it
is rapidly supe reeding the imported, and we will
soon, probably, use it altogether instead, as phy-
sicians of the present time show a disposition to
rely as far as possible on the resources of their
own country. The Pinks, you know, are in
this class, as are the Wintergreen. Pipsisseway,
58 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
and Silene. The Poke is found flourishing
wherever the soil is good.
L. Yes I know it very well ; we often use
the berries at school instead of ink.
E. It is one of those plants, which, though
poisonous when old, can in its young state, be
boiled and eaten without danger as greens. The
berries are put in alcohol to make a tincture
which is used in curing rheumatism. The flow-
ers of the Arbutus add greatly to the beauty of
the class. It grows wild in the south of Ireland,
where it was introduced a long time since, and
is much celebrated by the Irish poets. Among
the rest is the Wood Sorrel, which is spoken of
as gem of a plant, so beautiful is it in every
part ; its almost transparent white flowers are
marked with minute purple veins, and these,
with its delicate light green leaves and its bright
rose colored root, fill up the measure of its at-
tractions; from it oxalic acid x is made. The
Wild Indigo Baptisia, is a very common plant,
covering the waste places of the country with its
yellow butterfly-shaped flowers, from July to
September. It derives its common name from
having formerly been employed as a substitute
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 59
for Indigo. Have you ever heard of the Venus'
Fly Trap?
L. Yes ; the-, plaiit that has a gum spread
over its leaves to tempt flies and other insects,
which, when they light on them, close up directly
and crush them to death so as to find itself in
food.
E. That is in our present class, and with it,
and the mention of what is considered by many
as the most beautiful tribe of shrubs indigenous
to America the Rhododendrons, I will con-
clude. The species have flowers of red, white,
and pink, very fragrant, and of different sizes.
Some are evergreens, and others have the leaves
fall off in the usual season.
L. SONG OF THE DECANDRIAN TRIBES.
Spread the light sail, that our chieftain may rove
Again in the shade of the ArbtUus grove,
That decks the green isles in Killarney's lake,
And hangs its red fruit 'mid the tangled brake.
Oh : Arbutus tree,
We pluck from thee,
That spray that forms our chieftain's crest,
With thy berries bright
As the rosy light ;
The eun gives out when he sinks in the west.
60 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Through enchanted groves,
Where the poet roves,
In Araby's fair and sunny clime,
He sees not a gem
On its golden stem,
More lovely than this in its season of prime.
E. We have now come to the class Dodec-
andria, or from 11 to 20 stamens, a very varia-
ble class indeed, so much so that many bota-
nists have abolished it and distributed the
flowers in other classes. The literal ren-
dering of the name is twelve stamens. Agri-
mony is one of its genera ; it is somewhat
noted as a medical plant, bearing yellow flowers
in June and July, which are liked by many for
their fragrance. The Reseda is the most im-
portant genus in the class ; among its species
are the Mignonette or little darling, which though
not remarkable for either beauty or scent, is yet
universally beloved and the Dyer's Weed, a
plant of great use in dying as it imparts a beau-
tiful yellow color to cotton, woolen, silk, and linen ;
it is besides, the foundation of green dye,
which it is well known is not a primitive color,
but composed of yellow and blue. As I touch-
ed on this class merely to give you the true clas-
sification of Linneus, your song will dismiss it.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 61
L. SONG OF THE DODECANDRIAN TRIBES.
In desert spots and chalky dells,
The pale Reseda meekly dwells,
Yet hid within her petals lie,
Tints that with Ophir's gold may vie ;
The princely banner proudly spread
Above the courts where monarchs tread,
Gleaming with many a glorious hue,
From this pale flower its splendor drew.
Let none behold with cold disdain,
The simplest blossom of the plain !
Let none the simplest being scorn,
Though humbly placed and meanly born ;
The lowliest thing may have the power
To cheer and bless the loftiest bower.
Queen of the Flowers, thee we greet,
And lay our tribute at thy feet.
E. In the Class Icosandria, or twenty sta-
mens, as its Greek name would signify, the num-
ber ranges from seven to one thousand, and of
course in such a case can be of little conse-
quence. You must remember that in this and
the next class the important point for considera-
tion is on what part of the flower they are in-
serted. Inconstancy, of the number and the
point of insertion, are the really valid characters
of the class. The number generally averages
about twenty, and the stamens are inserted
upon the sides of the calyx.
62 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. I should think then it would have been
much better named by a word compounded of
calyx and andria, as that would tell its real
meaning.
E. Such a word has actually been suggested,
and in more than one instance employed by emi-
nent botanists. In this class the tube Cactus
is generally first mentioned ; they are noted for
their misshapen trunks, want of leaves, and gor-
geous flowers, which shine more brilliantly by
the unexpectedness as it were, of the display in
contrast, to the stems from which they spring.
The Prickly Pear, which is found on the Hud-
son, is one of the species, and the Night Bloom-
ing Cereus another. Do you know any thing
about the last flower?
L. Yes, I waited up one night to see it open,
which it did about nine o'clock in the evening,
the flowers were some feet around, of a white
color, with a yellow calyx. Some that were
with me compared the odor to Vanilla. Before
morning they closed and never opened again.
E. In this class are found Plums, Cherries,
Peas, Apples, Raspberries, Blackberries, and
Strawberries. Almonds, and Peaches, and
Pomegranates. The Meadow Sweet Spirea-
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 63
Ulmaria, often called Queen of the Meadows,
the regal plumes of which are described as con-
sisting of rich clusters of cream colored haw-
thorn-scented blossoms. And last though not
least, the real Queen of Flowers, the Rose
genus in all its glory and magnificence.
L. SONG OP THE ICOSANDRIAN TRIBES.
Pomona ! from the Vintage Bowers,
We come with mingled fruits and flowers.
The Strawberry from its lowly bed,
We pluck before thy throne to spread ;
With the Service-wild and the woodland Plum,
Lo ! thy faithful votaries come.
From the glowing Raspberry's wavering stem,
We gather many a ruby gem ;
We rifle the boughs of the Cherry tree,
To find an offering meet for thee ;
The sweet Ulmaria' s fragrant bloom,
We gather to form a regal plume.
And o'er these proffered gifts we throw,
The roses that around us grow ;
The matchless Rose whose sweet perfume,
Outlives its fair but fleeting bloom,
And breathes around the faded flower,
The odors of its opening hour.
E. Like the class we have just been exam-
ining, Polyandria, our present one, has an inde-
64 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
finite number of stamens, varying from eleven
to eleven hundred ; consequently, number alone,
as in Icosandria, could not be a means of dis-
tinction; that is given by the stamens being
inserted on, or growing from, the receptacle or
base of the flower. By analysing the flower
you can at once tell the class without trouble.
It contains a great number of flowers, valuable
for fragrance and beauty, as well as medicinal
properties. The Bloodroot is here one of the
earliest spring flowers. The rough winds of
the season would soon destroy it were it not for
the great mass of leaves that surround it which
fall the previous autumn, and in the midst of
which, in bright contrast it sends up its lively
white flowers. The Poppy Papaver, is the
most important medicinal plant in the class ; you
know how opium is procured from it ?
L. I think I have heard ; they cut the plant
and collect the sap which flows from it, and
then boil it down to the thickness required, and
that this dried juice is the opium of the shops.
E. The Clematis Virgin's Bower, is also
here, with its leaves of greenish- white feathery-
flowers ; the Marsh Marigold with its rich gold-
en cups that open in early spring ; and many
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 65
species of Anemone, among which the Pasque-
flower, and Wood Anemone, rank conspicuously.
The Peonies Magnolias, and the Tulip Tree,
help to form a splendid array. We will finish
with the Sweet Scented Water Lily. It has a
large, round, bright green leaf, which as well as
the flowers, floats on the surface of the water by
means of the air contained in their separate
stalks, both of which spring from the root.
Many efforts have been made to catch the deli-
cious odor in the form of an essense. but all have
failed. Dr. Smith observes that these splendid
flowers expand in sunshine and in the middle of
the day, only closing towards evening, when
they recline on the surface of the water or sink
beneath it ; the berry gradually decays at the
bottom of the water scattering its seed in the
mud. The stimulus of light acts on the flowers
and leaves and causes them to rise and expand
so that the pollen may ripen and reach the stig-
ma uninjured. When the stimulus ceases to
act they close again, drooping by their own
weight to a certain depth ; lastly, the more pon-
derous fruit finally sinks to the bottom.
66 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. SONG OF THE POLYANDRIAN TRIBES.
Chief of our tribes to thee we bring
Meet offering for a sylvan king,
As thy royal diadem ;
The Clematis is wrested for thee,
Enriched with many a ruby gem,
From the glowing Peony.
Her gift the assure Pasque-flower sends
A blossom fit for courtly bowers ;
Her aid the bright Papaver lends,
And blends it with her scarlet flowers.
And golden Caltha cups we bring,
To pledge thee in the flowing tide,
And Ldllies from the crystal spring,
And Larkspur from the mountain side;
Chief of varied tribes to thee
We bring our gifts on bended knee.
SIXTH CONVERSATION.
E. We have now arrived at the Class Didy-
namia, so named from two Greek words mean-
ing two powers. The flowers in it contain lour
stamens, two of which are much longer than
the others, and hence the name of the class,
arising from the idea of their being more power
ful. Botanists consider the inequality of the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 67
corolla as having something to do with the ine-
quality of the stamens.
L. I suppose the orders in this class are not
taken from the number of pistils as in the first
thirteen, or you would not have ceased mention-
ing them at this place ?
E. The orders in this class embrace natural
assemblages of plants. There are two orders,
the first of which is Gymnospermia or naked
seeded, because at the bottom of the calyx of
each flower the seeds are seen apparently naked,
but have since been proved to possess a thin
covering. The next order is Angiospermia, or
seeds with a covering.
L. But as both have coverings, I should not
think the names of the orders correct ?
E. They are not so ; but it is a very difficult
thing to alter a name once given, the inconve-
nience it would give rise to, especially in botany,
might prove very great indeed. In this class
are found most of the labiatee or lipped flowers,
so called from being divided at the top into two
parts, very similar to the lips of an animal. Of
these there are two kinds, the ringent or gaping,
and personate or closed.
68 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. Then the Sage should be in this class,
its flowers resemble lips.
E. It would be were it not that it had only
two perfectly developed stamens ; we can trace
in it the beginning or rudiments of two more,
as if Nature had at first designed it for the class,
but afterwards changed her mind, just leaving
enough to show her intention. There are other
plants in the same situation as the Sage, about
the whole of which Linneus remarked that the
insects who mostly visited them had but two
perfect wings, the rudiments of two more lying
useless and concealed under a little membrane.
This fact has often been brought forward to
show the harmony of nature. But to return to
study. What is the first order in this class ?
L. Gymnospermia, known by the seed ap-
pearing naked.
E. This order includes the labiate corollas
of the ringent, or gaping kind, they most in-
habit places exposed to the sun, as hills and
vales, and the great majority are aromatic, from
which by distillation, the essential oils are obtain
ed. In this order are the Peppermint, Laven-
der, Marjoram, and Thyme, the last of which is
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 69
celebrated for giving the remarkably delicious
flavor to the honey of Hymettus. The wild
Thyme still abounds there, and the bees feast
on its blossoms, surviving, as Wordsworth
tells us, all the revolutions that have changed
the features and uprooted the population of At-
tica. Though the defile of Thermopylae has be-
come a swampy plain, and the bed of the Cephi-
sus is laid dry. this one feature of the country
has remained unallered :
" And still his honey'd store Hymettus yields,
There the blithe bee his fragant fortress builds,
The free born wanderer of the mountain air."
It has been remarked of the Ringent flowers that
they are never poisonous, many of them on the
contrary are much used for family medicine, as
the Pennyroyal. Catnep. and Horehound.
L. Is it true that Cats are so fond of Catnep.
E. Yes. its odor makes it very attractive to
them, so much so that they often tear it up and
eat it with much greediness. What is the
second order in this class ?
L. Angiospermia or covered seeds, which are
also generally contained in a Capsule or little
box.
E. In this order are found the labiate corol-
70 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
las of the personate, or closed kind ; neither
order is entirely confined to the labiatse, and in
this some are quite open and regular, having
bell-shaped and funnel-formed corollas. None
of this order is used in cookery ; but it affords
many valuable medicines, among which the
Fox Glove takes the first rank, the common
name of which was at first Fairy's Glove, from
its thimble-like corollas. A poet says,
The Fox-glove on fair Flora's hand is worn,
Lest while she gathers flowers she finds a thorn.
Here is also the magnificent Trumpet Flower,
in which the bill of the dear little humming bird
is often found buried. The Snap Dragon is
another curious flower, as well as the Painted
Cup. With the mention of the Verbena, we
will pass on to the next class after your song.
L. SONG OF THE DIDYNAMIAN TRIBES.
Come honey bee with thy busy hum,
To our fragrant beds of wild Thyme come,
And enter the Snap Dragon's fragrant bower,
While the Humming bird sips from the Trumpet
flower.
Come honey-bee,
We spread for thee,
A rich repast in wood and field,
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 71
And the Marjoram flowers
Within our bowers,
To thee their nectared essence yield ;
Come honey-bee with thy busy hum,
Our Mint like flowers still bid thee come.
E. The next class, Tetradynamia, contains
flowers with six stamens, four of which are long
and two short, hence arising its name, the class
with four powers. This class is already some-
what known to you from containing the Cruci-
form family. Do you remember the character-
istics of this family ?
L. Yes ; the petals have the form of a cross.
I have been examining some of them since you
told me of their powers in curing scurvy ; the
calyx, I find, has always four sepals, and the
corolla four petals.
E. There are only two orders in this class,
distinguished by the simple circumstance of con-
taining either broad or long pods ; the pods are
receptacles for the seeds of flowers. The petals
are generally of a white or yellow color, very
rarely a purple. They are never poisonous.
The first order is Siiiculosae, or that with short
or round pods. The Pepper Grass is here,
72 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
which you must remember from its sharp biting
taste. So is the Shepherd's Purse, named from
the peculiar pouch-like form of the capsule,
This has been described as an unsightly annual
weed, with but little to recommend it, running
only too quickly over neglected gardens and
wastes, and has made itself a denizen of the
whole habitable world. The Candy Tuft,
Cress, and Moonwort or Honesty, as it is some-
times called, are in this order also.
The second order is Siliquosae, or that with
a long and narrow pod. The Wall flower, the
most beautiful and interesting of the class, is in
it. We are told that the minstrels and trouba-
dours of former days carried a branch of this
flower as an emblem of an affection, that con-
tinues through all the vicissitudes of time, and
survives every misfortune. It loves to grow in
in the crevices of old walls, to flourish in those
of ruined towers, or ornament the mouldering
tablet, which records the names of those almost
forgotten by sorrowing relatives. Here is also
the Radish, Rocket, Mustard and Woad, an
article much used by dyers ; the last belonging,
Nuttall thinks, much more properly to the Sili-
culosae.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 73
L. SONG OF THE TETRANDYAMIAN TRIBES
Blossom of the time-worn tower,
Fragrant Wall-Jtower thee we bring,
To be our chieftain's chosen flower,
And round his paths thine odors fling.
Emblem of love, sincere and warm,
And friendship that survives the storm.
Oh ! faithful flower 'mid grief and woe,
Still wreath the tempest shaken tower,
And on the mourner's pathway throw
Thy sweetest scent, thy fairest flower :
Still blossom on the early grave,
And o'er the scene of ruin wave.
E. We must now consider the brotherhoods,
as the names of the three next classes signify.
And first, Monadelphia, or one brotherhood. In
this class are included all those flowers that have
the filaments of the anthers united in one set,
thus forming a tube at the bottom of the corolla.
The orders depend on the number of anthers
or pollen boxes.
L. You cannot then have an order Monan-
dria, it would be in the class of that name, as it
takes more than one to be united with another.
E. Certainly not ; the first order is Triandria,
in it is the Sisyrinchium, which is common in
our fields and meadows about midsummer ; it
m
74 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
very much resembles a miniature Iris, from its
bright blue flowers and narrow grass like leaves.
The next order in it is Pentandria, which
contains the Passion Flower ; this is a climbing
plant, peculiar to the warm countries of the
Weslern Continent. In the South American
forests, its long and many times woody branches
climb up to the tops of the loftiest trees, and send
out tendrils from one to another, until the whole
are securely bound fast. So strong, too, is this
hold, that it has happened that a tree com-
pletely severed below has been prevented falling.
Elevated, or trailing, as it sometimes does upon
the ground, its flowers surpass any thing else
in nature. The superstitious Europeans that
first beheld it, observing the singular appear-
ance of the flower having ten petals, which were
fancied by them to represent the ten Apostles,
except Peter and Judas, one of whom had de-
nied, and the last betrayed his Master. The
stamens were compared to a glory, and the small
purple threads at the bottom of the style to a
crown of thorns ; the style to the pillow on which
the malefactors were bound ; the clasper to the
cords, and the palmate leaf to the hand ; the
three divisions at the top of the style were the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 75
nails ; in fine, they found in it the soldiers who
cast lots, and every thing else fancy could wish,
even to the three days in which the Saviour lay
in the tomb, which is the time that elapses be-
tween its opening and closing in its native coun-
try. From all this they considered it created at
the time of the Saviour's crucifixion, and thus
commemorative of his passion or suffering to
those of the New World, who could not other-
wise see it. The Storksbill Geranium is also
here.
The Geraniums mostly fill up two orders,
Heptandria and Decandria. The Order Poly-
andria contains a great number of splendid
flowers, comprising a large natural order, much
subdivided by modern botanists. In this place
are the Hollyhocks, to which all the rest bear
considerable resemblance. The genus Malva is
here, as also the Althea or Marshmallow, and
the Sea Tree Mallow Lavatera, which is much
cultivated in our gardens. On the rocky coast
of England it is described as unfolding its large
purplish red blossoms to the sea breeze from its
towering stem of five feet.
*
76 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L. SONG OP THE MONADELPHIAN TRIBES.
We come the highway sides to grace,
And to strew the banks with Maha flowers
With gay Geraniums varied race,
We have decked the lanes and woodland bowers.
On the marsh in the shade of verdant hills,
Her blossoms Althea delights to rear,
And deep in her green retreat distils
The healing balm to the shepherd dear.
Boldly we brave the blast and storm,
Unmoved by ocean's tempestuous roar,
While fair Lavatera erects her form,
And hangs her wreaths on the sandy shore.
SEVENTH CONVERSATION.
E. The 61ass Diadelphia, or two brother-
hoods, includes all those flowers that have three
stamens connected at the bottom, but divided
into two sets. It includes a great natural
order which Linneus called, from the butter-
fly-shape of the flowers, the Papilionaceae, from
a word meaning butterfly. Here is a Sweet
Pea blossom, in allusion to the shape of which
Keats remarked :
Here are Sweet Peas on tiptoe for a flight,
With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. / /
This large piece on top covering the others is
called the standard or banner, a; you will notice
as I take this off how it is inserted by a project-
ing part into the side pieces, evidently to keep it
from being shaken off by the winds. The two
side pieces care now exposed, these are wings,
you see how strongly they are inserted with the
remaining part of the corolla, evidently for the
same purpose as the other. All that now re-
mains is the keel b (carina) of the boat covering,
the stamens, and pistils. Whenever rain ap-
proaches, the parts successively close one within
the other, until all are perfectly protected from
the storm. The stalk that sustains the flower
is very slender and flexible, so as to turn with
the current of air, and thus present its back to
the wind and rain.
L. Do the number of anthers distinguish the
orders in this class ?
E. Yes. The Petalostemons are the flow-
ers, you remember, which you were so much
surprised at in retaining their colors when dried
and kept for years in the herbarium. They
are among the handsomest of preserved flowers ;
the simple low clustering stems are so well
shown, and the cylindric heads of pink and red-
78 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
dish purple flowers look so very natural, that I
do not wonder they often occasion surprise when
dried. This, as well as the Fumitory, are among
the first orders. The curious looking Corydalis,
often called Dutchman's Pants, is also here.
But leaving these for more important plants,
we must mention the Pea and Bean tribes, In-
digo, Liquorice, Gum Arabic, and Tamarinds.
The Lupine is here, about which Mrs. Lincoln
mentions a traveller's story of the Banks of the
Nile, being visited at night by the Hippopot-
amus or River Horse, a large animal that does
great damage to gardens and fields, and that
the inhabitants destroy him by placing quanti-
ties of lupine seeds in his way ; he devours these
greedily, but they soon swell in his stomach,
and produce such distension as to cause death.
The Furze is also here, as well as the Brooms,
on seeing which Linneus fell on his knees in
tears and prayed, enraptured with their golden
beauty. Last, but not least, in this class, I will
mention the Milk Wort Polygala, that forms
the type of a natural family. The most useful
among its species is the Seneka Snake Root,
much used in medicine, and one of the ingredi-
ents of the common Hive Syrup of the shops.
BOTANY FOR YOUN<; PEOPLE. 79
But I had almost forgotten to mention a very
strange plant indeed, the Hedysarum Gyrans, a
description of which you will find in the words
of Linnasus himself in this book, and which you
may read aloud.
L. The moving plant i?. as Linneus observed,
wonderful, on account of its voluntary motion.
No sooner, continues he, had the plants raised
from seed acquired their tenate leaves, than
they began to be in motion this way and that.
This movement did not cease during the
whole course of their vegetation, nor were
they observant of any time, order, or direc-
tion ; one leaflet frequently revolved whilst the
other on the same petiole, was quiescent , the
whole plant was very seldom agitated, and that
only during the first year, but sometimes most
of the leaves would be in motion at the same
time. This motion does not depend on any
accidental or external cause, such as touching,
heat, cold, light, or darkness, for they will neither
excite it nor prevent its continuance.
SONG OF THE DIADELPHIAN TRIBES.
Our spendid sails like the butterfly's wing,
Are gay with the rainbow's hues. '
80 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
And our silvery keels sweet odors fling,
As they sweep the morning dews.
The treasures of gardens and cultured plains
We bear on our gallant prows,
Feast for the flocks, and the shepherd's swains,
And plumes for regal brows.
Come taste our sweets, come wreathe our flowers,
While the sunbeams gild our sails,
For we fold them whenever the dark cloud lowers,
And tempt not the stormy gales.
E. The Class Polyadelphia is the last of the
brotherhoods it comprehends all those flowers
whose stamens are united by their filaments
into more than two sets. It is a class of veiy
little importance and now fallen into disuse, its
flowers being distributed among the other classes.
Do you remember what the other class was
that botanists treated in the same manner ?
L. Dodecandria, or from eleven to twenty
stamens, placing them in Polyandria and Icos-
andria. All whose stamens were inserted on
the calyx in the latter, and in the former, those
whose stamens were inserted on the receptacle.
E. As the characters of this class were very
inconstant, they thought best to add it to Poly-
andria. As I before mentioned, its orders de-
pend on the number of stamens. The Choco-
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 81
late and Orange trees are here, with the far-
famed St. John's Worts, which were formerly
held in great esteem for their healing virtues,
but have now fallen into disuse. The Druids
used them in their incantations, and from them
superstitious observances have descended among
the poorer classes of England and other Euro-
pean countries. The peasant girls in Lower
Saxony have a superstitious practice of gather-
ing the flower on midsummer night, and prog-
nosticating the prosperous or adverse fortune of
the coming year, by the state of the gathered
branches the next morning. The Welsh also
hold this plant in high regard, and no doubt de-
rive their superstitious reverence of it from the
Druids, who tanked it amongst their sacred
plants and made use of it in some of their mys-
tic rites.
L. SONG OF THE POLYADELPHIAN TRIBES.
Come follow Hypericum's golden star,
It will lead to where happiness dwells afar,
With nature in peaceful shades ;
It will lead to the green hills flowery brow,
Or by hedge-row paths in the vales below,
Or through turfy forest glades.
8
82 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Pluck not her flowers like the Saxon maid,
Nor anxiously watch if they flourish or fade,
By the moon of a midsummer night ;
Nor aloft as a spell hang her tassels of gold,
Like the Cambrian swain, nor like Druids of old,
Bid them wave in mystic rite.
But follow with light steps the golden star,
That guides you to treasures more sterling far,
Than cities or courts can give ;
Dear nature has pleasures in every hour,
Ah ! love her in youth and you learn her power
To charm you as long as you live. 4
E. Our present class, Syngenesia or flowers,
with a union of anthers, contains a great num-
ber of the vegetable tribes of the late flowering
kind, mostly blooming sometime in autumn.
What were the characteristics of the brother-
hood or delphian classes ?
L. A union of the filaments while the anthers
were separate.
E. Exactly the reverse of that is the case in
this instance. This class, however, is distin-
guished by the compound characters of its flow-
ers, several hundreds, and even thousands,
being on the same stalk next each other, and
giving to the casual observer the idea of a single
flower. But let him examine closely, and he
will find an astonishing number of perfect little
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 83
flowers, each, in most, if not all cases, with its
calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil. It seems as
if nature had made up an immense number of
minute flowers, so many, indeed, that it was
difficult to find stalks for all, and so was forced
to crowd them off her hands in bundles. From
this circumstance they are incorporated into a
natural order, called the Compositae. This class
contains many valuable medicinal herbs. It
has five orders :
And first Polygamia ^Equalis, in which the
florets on the flower are all perfect, each having
five stamens and one pistil ; and producing one
seed, such are the Dandelion, Boneset, and
Thistle. Every one has noticed the balloons of
the Dandelion, each of which is a seed with its
calyx turned into a light chaffy substance to
bear it away. The blue flowers of the Succory
show here also.
Secondly, Polygamia Superflua, in which the
florets are all perfect and fertile, those of the cir-
cumference having no stamens, rather filaments
without anthers, hence the name applied to the
filaments ; such are the Tansy, Wormwood,
Starflower, Coltsfoot, and Daisy, about which
84 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
last John Mason Good wrote some very beauti-
ful lines, which you can read from the book.
L. Not worlds on worlds in phalanx deep,
Need we to prove a God is here,
The Daisy fresh from winter's sleep
Tells of his hand in lines as clear.
For who but he that arched the skies
And pours the daysprings living flood,
Wondrous alike in all he tries,
Could rear the Daisy's purple bud 1
Mould its green cup, its wiry stem,
Its fringed border nicely spin,
And cut the gold embossed gem,
That set in silver gleams within'?
Then fling it unrestrained and free,
O'er hill and dale and desert sod,
That man where'er he walks may see
In every step the stamp of God.
E. Polygamia Frustanea consists of radiated
flowers, the disk ones of which are perfect, but
those of the ray almost petals, having most ge-
nerally an imperfect seed at the base, from hence
the name denoting its being frustrated ; such
are the Sun Flower and Blue Bottles Cyanus.
Polygamia Necessaria has the rays fertile, and
those of the disk constantly sterile. We are told
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. &5
they may be easily known by producing its seed
principally on the margins of the disk. Here
are the Marygold and Leaf Cup.
Polygamia Segregata comprises a set of doub-
ly compound flowers, each one having a double
calyx, one common to the whole head of flow-
ers, and one for each separate floret in the set ;
such are the Elephant's Foot and the Globe
Thistle.
L. SONG OF THE SYNGENESIAN TRIBES.
Though we boast not Triandrids corn and grass,
Yet our Thistles feed the laboring ass,
And the small birds rejoice in our leafy bowers,
As they feed on the seeds of the Groundsel flowers.
With us the Cerulean Cyamis is seen,
And our own fair Daisy decks the green,
And the Succory opens its azure eye,
Beneath the light of the summer sky.
Fair are our flowers, but yet more fair
Are the seeds that lightly float on the air.
When the fading blossom has lost its grace
A feathery down supplies its place ;
And wafts the seed on the passing gale,
To its rightful home on the hill or vale.
These winged seeds are thickly stored
In the urn of the purple Salsify ;
The Colt's foot keeps a secret hoard,
And in the Camomile cups they lie.
Chief of the woodlands, and queen of the meeds,
Accept our fair flowers and our downy seeds.
86 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
EIGHTH CONVERSATION.
E. The name of the next Class Gynandria,
or union of stamens and pistils, is taken from
the fact of the stamens in its flowers really grow-
ing out from either the germ or style of the pis-
tils. When the stamens cannot be counted
from their indistinctness, we call the masses
of gluttinous pollen Pollinia. The orders in
this class, as in many of the ones we have been
over, are taken from the number of stamens.
The first order, Monandria, contains the Or-
chis tribe of plants. The flowers in it are re-
markable for their grotesque appearance. The
Geraniums copy the scents of other plants, as
the Rose, Lemon, Orange, and Balm ; this tribe
does the same, strange to say, to the forms and
colors of animals, and, accordingly, presents us
with the figures of flies, spiders, birds, and even
men, colored to the life ! So closely does the
Bee Orchis Ophrys, resemble the insect, whose
name it bears, as to look, at a very short dis-
tance, quite like a bee hovering, with outstretch-
ed wing, over a flower. But very few bloom at a
time on the plant, that bears it so that the illusion
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 87
is complete. The white Helleborine Epispactis,
displays its spotless blossoms here, as does the
Neottia Ladies' Tresses, of which we have
many species common both in dry sandy woods
and wet meadows. They come out in fall, and
have all white flowers inclined to one side, and
form a twisted or spiral wreath. The Lily Or-
chis Listera, and the Arethusa, which is not
over a hand high whose elegant and curious
purple flowers may be seen in mossy swamps,
blossoming in June, will close the first order.
In the second order. Diandria, is found the
Ladies' Slipper Cypripedium, great numbers
of which enliven the plains of Illinois, and are
called by the people Indian Moccasins. These,
as well as the w r hole Orchis tribe, occur in rich
shady woods, far away from human ken. At
one time their cultivation was thought impossi-
ble, but that idea has proved a fallacy, and
considerable attention is at the present time paid
to them.
In this class is also the Silk Weed, Birth-
wort, and Indian Ginger, but we will now pass
on to the next
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
L.. SONG OP THE GYNANDRIAN TRIBES.
Jn the quiet shades
Of our forest glades,
The fair Epipactis her blossom unfolds,
And the Orchis race
Our field banks that grace,
The wandering shepherd with wonder beholds,
In our pastures green
Ladies Tresses are seen,
In our woods, Cypripedium's purple flower,
And Listera there
Her nest doth prepare,
And bright Arethusa adorns our bower.
With insect gems
On their verdant stems,
The Ophrys tribe in our borders we see,
Queen of the flowers,
These treasures are ours,
And we bring them with loyal hearts to thee.
E. Monoecia and Dicecia are fashionable
classes, affecting the manners of the higher
ranks in the old countries ; the married couples
not occupying the same apartments. In Mo-
noBcia, or one house, are those plants which
contain stamens and pistils in separate flowers
on the same plant.
L. And it is for such flowers you said, that
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 89
some think the nectary was added to tempt bees
to distribute the pollen.
E. Yes ; but where they are both on the
same plant the wind alone can often do it, even
if no other contrivance in the flowers was dis-
covered. In the class are included a great va-
riety of the forest trees. The stately and ma-
jestic oak that shoots out its right angled
branches, and with its spreading foliage gives an
air of grandeur to the landscape, is here, with
its neighbours the Beech and goodly Chesnut.
The Birch that will endure almost any degree
of cold, creeping up even beyond the pines in
the polar regions, though it can there attain but
the height of a few inches, and growing where
little else can grow in the English marshes,
Irish bogs, and Scottish peat mosses. This (
beautiful and elegant tree, despite its rather
humble growth, has been made the emblem oi
the Highland Clan Buchanan.
L. Has this class any orders ?
E. Yes ; determined by the number of sta-
mens. As might be expected, many of these
that are common in Scotland, emblemize the
Highland Clans there, thus, the Pine is the
badge of the McGregor ; the Box of the Mackin-
7
90 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
tosh and the Oak of Cameron. The Hazel
Tree, from its nuts, you are no doubt well ac-
quainted with ; it never attains the height of
a timber tree. The wood it produces is very
useful. Early in spring it hangs out its curious
fruit-flowers, or catkins, in which the bright
crimson dots make a beautiful appearence.
Walking Canes, Fishing Rods, and Charcoal,
are made from this wood. It is the badge of the
Highland Clan Colquhoun.
Here is also the Mulberry, upon whose leaves
the Silk Worm feeds, as well as Indian Corn,
about the dissemination of whose pollen, Flint
says, that nothing is more charming, consider-
ing it the most beautiful vegetation that any
can offer. When the southwest breeze whis-
pers, and a slight humidity inspires a voluptu-
ous languor, in riding by these noble fields of
maize, the pollen floats along the forest spikes,
like a delicious shower of aroma, with a fra-
grance more delightful than ever breezed from
the spicy fields of Araby the blest. Then the
the different kinds of maize growing near each
other are intermixed upon the same ear. What
is called the silk of the ear conveys this pollen
to the kernel and fructifies it. When there is
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 91
*0r'jJ.
not a silken thread to convey the pollen to the
kennel, the grain will be found wanting. The
most important tree in the class for food is the
Bread Fruit.
The Cat Tail Typha, improperly used by
some people for filling bed ticks, as it answers
much better for making mats and seating chairs.
The Sedge Carex. is a coarse grass of little
apparent use; and as we have said enough
about the orders we will finish with the Arrow-
head- Sagittaria, so common in muddy waters,
and mentioned in the verses you like so much,
called Little Streams, and the Spurge Euphor-
bia.
Little streams have bowers a-many,
Beautiful and fair as any ;
Typha strong and green Bur Rted
Willow Herb with cotton seed ;
Arrow Head with eye of jet,
And the Water Violet,
There the flowering rush you meet.
And the plumy Meadow sweet ;
And in places deep and stilly,
Marble-like the Water Lily.
92 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
,. SONG OF THE MONOECIAN TRIBES.
Queen of the Meadows we bend to thy sway,
And gladly our sylvan tribute we pay ;
From the flowing stream we bring to our chief,
Sagittaria flowers with their arrowy leaf,
And the reed like Typha, the sceptre fair,
That our rural Sovereign delights to bear.
Eupliarbia we bring from the wild sea shore,
And the sedgy Carex from lake and moor.
i v ! Nor these alone our treasured store,
For our l?eec/i-masts fatten tbe forest boar,
We have Cameron's Oak and McGregor's Pine,
And Buchanan's Birch to yield us wine,
And Highland Hazel of bold Colquhoun,
While Mackintosh brings the box for a boon.
Queen of the Meadows we bend to thy sway,
And gladly our sylvan tribute we pay ;
E. The class Dioecia, or Two Houses, con-
tains those whose stamens and pistils are in se-
parate flowers on separate plants; the orders,
like the former, depend on the number of sta-
mens ; hence there is but little difference be-
tween this and the Monoecian class, it contain-
ing, like the latter, many forest trees.
Perhaps the most remarkable genus in this
class is found in the order Triandria the Ficus,
or Fig, noted for containing the flowers within
the fruit. What is commonly termed its fruit
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 93
is only a large hollow pear shaped juicy recep-
tacle within which the minute flowers and seeds
can be discovered by a good microscope ; it has
a small orifice on the top with a kind of scaly
valve. It was formerly supposed that the pollen
of the male flowers was carried to the stigma of
the female by means of small flies that may be
seen fluttering from one fig to another.
L. I have heard a description of that before,
and it has been adduced as showing the won-
derful care of Providence.
E. That the flies really carry the pollen has
been disputed. In hot climates the fig produces
two crops of fruit, but to do this the gardeners
have to hasten the ripening of the first in order
to leave time for the second to come to maturity.
We are told that the peasants in the isles of the
Archipelago, where the first abounds, bring
branches of the wild Fig Tree in the spring,
which they sprinkle over those that are culti-
vated.
L. That reminds me of what you said in re-
lation to carrying male flowers of the Date
Tree and shaking them so as to sprinkle the
pollen over the stigma of the female to ensure
fruit.
94 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E. Some, however, consider the cases very
different, and assert that the only use of these
wild branches is to serve as a vehicle for an im-
mense number of small insects called Cynips,
which perforate the Figs in order to make a nest
for their eggs, and the wound they inflict caus-
ing considerable irritation and excitement which
accelerates the ripening of the fruit. In many
cases the Fig contains perfect flowers, thougli
in most they do not.
Another species of this genus i.? the Banyan
Tree, which sends forth branches that falling to
the ground take root, still remain connected with
the parent trunk, and in turn send out, as soon
as they grow old enough, others that follow the
same example. Each tree is soon a grove and
continually increases in size and numbers, until
some are known to be large enough to give shel-
ter to seven thousand men. The leaves are
large, soft, and of a lively green, and the fruit,
a small Fig of an agreeable flavor, which ; when
ripe, is of a bright scarlet.
The India Rubber Tree is of the Fig tribe
also, it exudes a milky juice, which, when dried
and darkened, gives it the name. Nearly allied
to this is Humboldt's celebrated Cow Tree that
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 95
exudes, upon making an incision, a great amount
of a cream-like, wholesome, and nutritious drink.
But I must leave this genus to mention the
Hopvine Humulus, and the Black Briony
Tamus, with long wreath-like branches, and
shining dark green leaves, and its red berries
hanging in festoons. The Aspen is well
known by the constant quivering of its leaves.
The Yew Tree, noted for its elasticity, and
hence, used for making bows : its juice is poison-
ous and in olden times the arrows were dipped
into it to render the wounds fatal, they might
inflict. The Bay Berry, or Sweet Gale My-
rica, whose elegant sprays deserve to find a
place in a lady's wreath, not only for its beauty,
but for the delightful fragrance it exhales from
its berries and leaves when rubbed between the
fingers. In some places the people make beds
of its twigs, and in others, scent their clothes
with its leaves ; the poet says :
Gale from the bog shall waft Arabian balm.
I will dismiss the class with the mention of the
Willow, Mistletoe, and Rafflesia. the last the
most extraordinary flower known. It was dis-
covered in the Island of Sumatra, by Dr. Arnold,
96 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
in 1818, and called by him the magnificent
Titan of the vegetable kingdom. To increase
the wonder, it is entirely destitute of roots and
leaves, the blossom, the like of which the mind
of man had never conceived the existence of,
forming the entire flower. It was attached to
the stem of a grape vine, the circumference of
the full expanded flower is nine feet, its necta-
rium calculated to hold nine pints, and the pis-
tils as large as cows horns ; the whole weighing
about fifteen pounds. The color is a mottled
yellow. Since that time other species have
been discovered but not quite as large.
L. SONG OF THE DKECIAN TUBS.
Princess, we lay on the floral shrine
Light wreaths the graceful ffumulns weaves ;
Our northern myrtle with these we twine,
The sweet Myrica's fragrant leaves.
The dark festoons of the Tamus cling
To the silvery willow's bending spray,
Whose blossom like down from the cygnet's wing
Sheds a golden light on the vernal day.
The pearly tufts of the Misseltot-
With many an evergreen leaf we bind,
And the Aspen's slender bows that throw
Their trembling leaves to the summer wind.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 97
In the battle's shock our tribe has stood
Renowned for many a valorous deed,
And our faithful bows of the Yew- Tree's wood
Shall guard our Queen in the hour of need.
NINTH CONVERSATION.
E. Polygamia, or the class of many mar-
riages, consists of plants with stamens and pis-
tils united in the same flower, besides others in
separate flowers having a different structure.
Like Dodecandria and Polyandria, modern bota-
nists have totally abolished it and distributed
the flowers among the other classes. To say
the least, it is an extremely inconvenient one m
practice. Its orders are founded on the preced-
ing classes Monoecia, Dioecia, and a third, Trioe-
cia. Even while it was retained the genera
continued dwindling down till the Ginseng and
Orache, or Purselane, were the principal of
vvhat were left.
L. SONG OF THE POLYGAMIAN TRIBES.
The silvery Purslane's simple flowers
An humble prize, we mostly claim,
We have no roses in our bowers,
No fragrant blossoms known to fame.
Q
yb 30TANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Unknown and unadmired our race,
Springs up and blooms and fades away,
And few have sought our resting place,
Or watched our buds from day to day.
Yet in the simplest blossoms dwell,
Such proofs of power and wise design,
As to the wandering spirit tell,
The hand that formed them is divine.
E. Our last Class Cryptogamia, or Concealed
Marriages, forms in itself a ground division of
the vegetable kingdom. In all the flowers in
it, neither stamens, pistils, or proper seeds, are
recognisable even by the microscope ; a different
arrangement prevails. Their propagation is
carried out by means of sporse. which though
confessedly the most simple of all organized
bodies have appropriate receptacles provided
for them, proving, as Nuttall remarks, the exis-
tence of the universal law of nature, that with-
out a parent mediate or immediate, neither ani-
mal nor vegetable, in whatever part of the scale
of existence they are found, can possibly have
a being.
It has been said that Linneus having arrang-
ed the plants that would admit of classification,
took the remainder and cast them into a heap
together, which he called Crvptogeamous. He
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 99
found it impossible to arrange this class in any
other way than by its own natural affinities
or resemblances pointed out by nature, of these
he made six.
1st. The FERNS, may be known by their
plume-like leaves, which are called fronds,
being of one continued substance with the
branch. The fructification, or fruit making
apparatus, is generally on the lower surface of
the front, in the form of round or oblong dots,
which consist, upon being placed under a magni-
fier, of thick clusters of very small, rather flat, cir-
cular capsules, which at first are whole, but after-
terwards burst and scatter to a great distance
an impalpable powder.
Here is found the Maiden Hair, about which
it has been beautifully remarked that botanists
have in vain sought to find out its nature, it
having seemingly determined to conceal from
their learned researches the secret of its flowers
and its fruit. It confides to Zephyr alone the
invisible germs of its young family. The Crea-
tor of all things selects the cradle for its child-
ren ; and it pleases him sometimes to form a
sombre veil with their waving tresses which
ever conceals from vulgar gaze the cave where
tOO BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
the solitary Naiad sleeps, and where she has
slept from the beginning of ages ; at other times
they are borne on the wings of the wind to the
summits of lofty towers, or the tottering rem-
nant of an old chateau, where they shine like
verdant stars ; and sometimes disposed in light
festoons, they adorn the retired and shady spots
which shepherds love. Thus this wild plant is
not to be understood by science, but hides its
secret origin from our curious enquiries. It is the
prettiest of all ferns, and Pliny states that though
you plunge it in water it will still remain dry.
The Royal Osmund or Flowering Fern, is an-
other noble and stately species. It is most com-
mon in our dark swamps, on it the capsules are
very conspicuous. The Fragile, a most elegant
species, is also here, noted for its extreme brit-
tleness, as also the Lycopodium, which Nuttall
considers the most elegant and curious Fern in
the United States. Some of the species of Fern,
in tropical countries, attain a height of thirty
feet. The number known amounts to near a
thousand, which are all most abundant in moist
and shady situations.
2d. The MOSSES are little herbs with distinct
stems. Mungo Park, when travelling, was once
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 101
greatly discouraged by the difficulties which en-
vironed him on a distant excursion, and was
fast sinking under his troubles, when looking at
some Moss beneath his foot, he was so struck
with the providence of God exhibited in its for-
mation, that he resolved never to despair, know-
ing that the same kind care was over all his
creatures. Exiled from cultivated ground, they
advance toward barren and un tilled land, cov-
ering it with their substance, and, thus not only
furnish a beautiful green carpet when nothing
else can be seen, but also when they perish
lay a foundation upon which larger plants may
find support. You know Wordsworth's lines
on the Moss, do you not?
/>. There is a fresh and lovely sight,
A beauteous heap, a hill of moss
Just half a foot in height ;
All lovely colors there you see,
AH colors that were ever seen :
And mossy net network too is there,
As if by hand of lady fair
The work had woven been ;
And cups the darling of the eye,
So deep is their vennillion dye.
Ah me ! what lonely tufts are these
Of olive green and scarlet bright ;
In spikes in branches and in stars,
Green, rod, aud pearly white ;
102 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
3i/. The LIVERWORTS, which are thicker
and more juicy than the Mosses. There is
some dispute on account of the origin of the
name. A number supposed it to be derived
from the virtue it was formerly thought to pos-
sess in curing diseases of the liver, and the rest
think it arose from their resembling the colors
of that organ. The Juggemiannia are the most
common plants in this order.
5th. The SEA WEEDS, a name that needs no
explanation. A common plant in it is the Gulf
Weed, found floating in the Gulf of Florida,
sometimes forming floating fields many miles in
extent. One of its species, named the Gigantic,
is said to be over six feet long , another forms a
good manure, and a fourth is boiled with meal
in Lapland, and given to cattle for food. On
burning, many of them afford an impure soda
called Kelp.
5th. The LICHENS, which vary in texture,
form, and color, being woody, leathery leaf-like,
and white, green, or black. Many of them are
exceedingly useful for many purposes in medi-
cine and dying. They mostly resemble trees
in miniature. You have often eaten jelly made
of the Irish, and Iceland Mosses.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 103
6th. The MUSHROOM tribe, never exhibiting
any appearance of green herbage, generally
corky, fleshy, or mould-like, varying in form and
color. All are of quick growth, and very short
duration ; they grow mostly in dark and under-
ground situations.
L. Catsup is made from them is it not ?
E. From some, not from all, for many are
poisonous. We are told that the Ostiacks, a
Siberian tribe, make a preparation from one of
the species that will kill the most robust man
in twelve hours. Several of our Mushrooms
are almost as dangerous, as there is a liquid
hid within them of a nature so acrid that a sin-
gle drop on the tongue w T ill produce a blister.
The Russians during their long fasts live en-
tirely on this tribe, and are afflicted in conse-
quence with violent convulsions in many cases.
L. Is there any method by which the good
can be distinguished from the bad ? if not I will
eat no more Catsup.
E. Yes. The eatable species is known by
its convex, scaly, \vhite cap, or head, which is
mounted upon a stalk. The whole is at first
covered by a wrapper that bursts by the sudden
growth of the upper part, and in many cases
104 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
we can see the remains of it in the form of a
ring below the head. The Tuber Mushroom is
collected for food in Europe and Asia ; it is round
and solid, grows above the ground, has no root,
and when old becomes warty and dark colored.
There is another of this last kind, distinguished
as a favorite article of food, and by growing
under ground. It is described as being as large
as the human head, resembling much a Cocoa-
nut, and covered with a dark, rather woody-brown
bark. It is filled with a fleshy corklike matter
when ripe, simulating in color the flesh. But
we have had enough of this class and will con-
clude with the crimson cup-like form of the Pe-
ziza.
L. SONG OF THE CYPTOGAMIAN TRIBES.
Chieftain from our varied store,
What tribute shall our tribes provide,
We have gems on ocean's shore,
And beneath the flowing tide ;
And many a precious treasure laid
On the mossy banks in the forest glade
We will bring our gallant chief
The waving locks of Maiden-hair,
And Fragile with graceful leaf
For lovely dames to wear ;
And the Royal Osmund's palmy bough
A plumo that suits a warriors brow
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 105
Chieftain, to thee we duly bring
Our countless gifts from land and sea,
And lo ! to crown our offering
The nectared draughts we pour for thee.
Peziza's lowly daughters bear
In their ruby cups so rich and rare.
E. We have now finished with the twenty-
four classes of Linneus. Do you remember
how many modern botanists make of them, and
what are the rejected classes.
L. O yes ! there are twenty one left. The
Classes Dodecandria, Polyadelphia, and Poly-
gamia, being distributed among the others.
E. I am very much pleased to think you
paid so much attention and have remembered
our conversations so well. You can now tell
the class or order of almost any flower you meet
with, and that is certainly a great advantage.
The knowledge you have acquired is a letter of
introduction, making you somewhat acquainted
with all the members of the vegetable kingdom.
L. But I suppose from the high idea you
have of the natural system that it will teach
much more than merely knowing the flowers.
E. Yes; for though the Linnean system is
by far the best of any artificial plan known, it
is in many respects very imperfect, for the num-
10
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 106
her of stamens often varies in the same species.
You will often find Tulips with from three to
eight stamens.
Li. How do they manage in such a case ?
E. By discovering the number usually found
and classing them accordingly. Number is very
little to be relied on. but it is still that, you see,
on which the whole system is based.
L. Then, if the system is so very imperfect,
why did you take such pains to induce me to
learn it ?
E. Without understanding it you could make
but little proficiency in botany, for the majority
of the works written on it are based upon the
Linnean system.
L. What is the great difference between the
two systems ?
E. That of Linneus considers only the organs
of fructification, or the stamens and pistils, while
the other takes the most important parts of the
plant, the fruit and seed. But you must re-
member that the information you acquire in
learning one will be of great, use in studying
the other. So far from the natural being a per-
fect system, many eminent botanists of the pre-
sent day have used the former in preference.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 107
The truth is, as I remarked to you before, thai
knowledge of species is the important considera-
tion, so much so that it is asserted that no one
can be entitled to the appellation of a bota-
nist until that person has dissected and gathered
at least three hundred different plants.
TENTH CONVERSATION.
L. Why is it, Emily, that by cutting off a
slip from a rose bush and planting it I can have
another bush as large as the first? Does the
end of the slip begin to rot and then turn into
roots, merely because it is put in the ground ?
I remember reading a fact stated in a book,
which said that it made no difference what part
of a plant was put in the ground, all would in
such a case equally change the offices : that
if a tree was turned upside down the former
roots would change to branches and bear leaves,
and the old branches and leaves turn to roots.
E. That was a wrong statement ; but to ex-
plain why it is so, I must take a somewhat
round-about -way of making you understand
108 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
what I mean. You know what a polypus is, I
presume ?
L. O yes ; I have many times cut them in
pieces and the separate parts became distinct
and whole animals. I have besides seen them
growing out from one another, somewhat like
the branches of a tree.
E. That class of animals rank the lowest, as
might be expected, in the Zoological scale.
Their organs are veiy simple, and of course, so
are the functions or offices of these organs.
They possess sensation, and can move about,
but their only use is seemingly to imbibe nour-
ishment. A great many polypi are generally
together in one body, and that accounts for the
separate bodies which each developes for itself
when cut off from the others. They resemble
plants in that particular ; you cannot find a sin-
gle plant or a single polypus.
L. What ! is not the rose growing in that pot
a single rose ?
L. On the contrary, it consists of a multitude
of them ; there are thousands of life germs scat-
tered through every part that, require but a lit-
tle irritation to excite them and produce an active
state of existence. Cut off a slip of your rose
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 109
and you irritate the parts and excite the germs ;
each germ sends downward a root, and upwards
a stem, and you thus have another plant.
L. Then I suppose when the tree was turned
upside down the irritation was sufficient to ex-
cite a great many germs that gave out roots
below and ran upwards to the old roots to form
leaves and branches alone.
E. Exactly so ; and on those facts are found-
ed the theory of the propagation of plants by
subdivision, for doing which there are three
modes : by layers, scions or slips, and grafts.
L. Still I cannot exactly see why producing
irritation and exciting them should be sufficient
to cause these germs to grow. It appears to
me that planting seeds is the only true way of
raising vegetables.
E. You can remember in one of our previous
conversations, I mentioned Cotyledones or little
cavities, which contained nutritious matter for
the nourishment of the young embryo or life
germ, that was joined to each. This little store
of matter, answering the same purpose for
the future plant, as the yolk of the egg did for
the young chick. Well, the principal office of
seed making is the enclosing of a little embryo
110 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
in a case, with enough of food proper for it while
germinating.
L. But if I plant the seed of an apple it will
by-and-by become a tree, without the juicy mat-
ter that is around the seeds, as they can do
without it. What use is that portion ?
E. To supply the wants of man. Nature's
first object is to secure the continuation of the
species by careful attention to the preparation of
the seed apparatus. When that is done she
does something for man, but never before.
L. Are there other instances, except in the
common fruits, where she bestows such atten-
tion?
E. Many ; but among the most remarkable
are the Silk Weed and Cotton ; the long down
which surrounds the seeds enclosed in the
capsule with them, answering no purposes what-
ever, except for the uses to which man applies
the matter their separation.
L. You were going to explain the germina-
tion of the embryos by irritation ?
E. The seed, then, is merely an embryo en-
closed in a little storehouse of food ; putting it
into the ground and exciting it to action which
action it is enabled to sustain on account of the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. Ill
supply of food will ensure its growth. The
germs that exist throughout the plant, are of
course, destitute of this supply, or the seed mak-
ing process would be unnecessary. Now to en-
sure the sprouting you must make the proper
kind of irritation, and place it in favorable cir-
cumstances to answer two objects, 1st, exciting
the germ, 2d, giving it sustenance while germi-
nating.
Its excitemennt is easily produced, but the
other is more difficult. It is a law of vitality,
that if any part of a living body is excited the
vessels carrying fluid to that part will become
enlarged and carry much more than their usual
supply. Causing this first action around the
germ will give it the required food, and thus,
instead of perishing, it sprouts forth, and is either
a fresh branch on an old plant, or forms an en-
tirely new one.
In order to make a layer, we are directed to
bend down a pliant branch without separating
it from the plant, and fasten it in the ground,
making a slight incision at the spot where it is
confined. The requisite irritation is thus pro-
duced, a flow of pure sap takes place towards
the part, the excited germ is supplied with food,
112 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
the ground is convenient, and the germ soon
shoots out. There are several creeping plants,
observes De Candolle, which propagate them-
selves in this manner without the aid of man.
Their lower branches trailing upon the ground,
are often partially covered with earth washed
over them by rain, and if in the operation they
are slightly wounded by friction or the contact
of any hard substance, such as gravel, or peb-
bles, roots strike out, the connecting branch
with the parent, being deprived of nourishment
by the rapacity of the young plant, rots and
perishes ; the separation being thus made, and
the requisite organs developed, the layer becomes
a new individual plant. Most Laurels and
Evergreens are propagated by layers, which is
besides the method used in Yineyards.
L. It must be somewhat on the same plan
that the Banyan Tree has such a number of
offsets from it. I can conceive of nothing more
simple than the bending of the branches to the
ground aiid there taking root, and the branches
that arise from them, though still connected with
the first tree, sending out others in the same
manner, and so forming a forest from a single
slip.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 113
E. There are many trees whose germs are
so easily excited as to be noted for their extraor-
dinary facility in sprouting. No matter what
part you put in the ground, a root will take
and a plant be produced. We are told that the
Willow, Ash, and most trees of white wood, are
noted for this readiness. Pope, the celebrated
poet, chanced one day to be present on the open-
ing of a package which came from Spain, and
observing the sticks had some vegetation, fancied
they might produce something new in England.
With this view he planted a cutting, from
whence sprang the parent of many of the finest
and most admired specimens.
Mr. Humboldt, the celebrated naturalist, tells
us that while travelling in America, he pro-
vided himself with strips of coarse patched cloth,
which answered the purpose of baskets in con-
fining the earth round branches from which he
wished to make layers. He adjusted them
round the branches of trees in forests which he
intended to traverse on his return some months
afterwards, when the germs would have time to
sprout, and by this means took with him to
Europe a number of curious and valuable new
plants.
114 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Grafting is accomplished by taking a portion
from one plant and inserting it into an opening
in another, in such a manner that they will
unite and grow together. The cut branch is
called the graft or scion^ and the tree into
which it is inserted, the stock. Plants of the
same family can all be grafted indiscriminateiy
into one another, a circumstance which the
Dutch florists take Advantage of, for they make
different species and colors of roses grow on one
trunk, and thus produce a beautiful effect. It.
is principally done for the sake of altering the
flavor and size of fruits. We might continue
this subject some time, even to the multi-
plication of plants by seed in all the various
methods now used for that purpose ; but you
can pursue this part at your leisure tg much
better purpose.
L. I heard a beautiful thought yesterday that
struck me very much, which was that no child
has so richly ornamented a cradle as the seed
when reposing in the recesses of the flower.
E. Beautiful as it is true ! and the germ that
is excited to action loses this cradle ; but, as we
have come again to the seed and flower, the
beautiful will give way for a time to the won-
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 115
derful, when I inform you that the green calyx
slendidly colored corolla, stamens with yellow
anthers and pistil, are all, in reality, nothing but
mere leaves, and often change from these organs
into such, when circumstances favor such varia-
tion.
L. Can it be possible !
E. Vegetable physiology is much more sim-
ple than you imagine, and by a little examina-
tion you will easily perceive the truth of the
fact I have stated. The affinity the leaves of
the calyx have to the common leaves of the
plant, inasmuch as they are often of the same
color and shape, and always perform the same
office, is undisputed; sometimes the calyx is
painted. The leaves of the corolla are in some
instances of a green color, which fact, with va-
rious other matters, needless to mention here,
proves their origin, the same as those of the
calyx, or common leaves. The stamens, by
excess of nourishment, will flatten and swell
out, becoming blossom leaves, as well as the
pistil ; now and then a second flower, with ca-
lyx, corolla, &c., springing up from the centre
of the first.
L. That must be the case, I suppose, with
116 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ft
some of our garden flowers. I have often looked
in vain for the pistils and stamens in our roses,
they were too well fed, and must have thought
if \ve had so much food to give them, we were
abie to afford luxuries, and so spent the material
for seed in beautifying themselves.
E. Garden flowers will rarely answer for
botanical purposes ; wild flowers only are the
ones to be relied on. The change I spoke of
in relation to the conversation of stamens into
pistils, may be seen, as it were, taking place in
this monthly rose. On the outside is the calyx,
inside this a great many petals, as you ad-
vance inward you see filaments with petals on
them instead of anthers, and still further, the
regular stamens, and in the centre the pistils.
L. I understand it all now ; this monthly
rose is a perfect instructor.
E. Gardeners have taken a hint from this,
and sometimes when they have found fruit trees
bear but little in too rich a soil, made the
ground poorer, and been amply rewarded for
their pains.
L. There were no stamens in that case. I
suppose they had all turned into petals.
E. Or the tree itself become enlarged by a
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 117
greater number of branches and leaves, for bear-
ing fruit diminishes the number and size of
both, besides soon wearing out the tree.
L. I should think the more fruit it bore, the
more it would be able to bear ; when it was in
the right kind of ground and in the habit of
yielding a large supply, why not continue ?
E. A little reflection would soon show you
the reason. Though immense numbers of
germs are scattered throughout the tree, yet they
are not inexhaustable, and just in proportion, as
slips are taken from it, will the number of seeds
it bears in each fruit diminish ; every seed di-
minishes the number of germs left. As a mat-
ter of course, orchards that yield large 'crops of
fruit must have a new set of trees every few
years.
L. The Century Aloe, we saw some time
since in Broadway, died directly after producing
its flowers and fruit.
E. It had been many years accumulating the
material with which to produce them. The
Mexicans take advantage of this and remove
the juice so that it cannot flower. They care-
fully watch the plant from the size of a little
cone of leaves and roots, which is constantly in-
118 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
creasing, the roots sucking up nutriment from
the soil, and the leaves elaborating it, until there
is enough to produce flowers ; at this point it
has an enormous size, and the leaves not being
so much required, the outer ones begin to wither :
this is the desired sign. It is tapped, and the
great amount of juice that comes out fermented,
thus making an intoxicating liquor, which is the
common drink of the country. When allowed
to flower, it sends up a central flower-stalk from
eighteen to thirty feet in height, which, in turn,
sends out over three thousand flowers, the nec-
taries of which distil showers of honey.
L. Something like the same thing happens
with the Lilies in our yard, the long leaves,
though much smaller, resemble those of the Aloe,
They come out early and begin to work a good
while before the flower stalks come up ; after
its flowers and its fruit is ripened, the stalks fall
down and decay, but the leaves continue as
fresh as ever, working until the frost comes and
destroys them.
E. Your simile is a very good one. There
are three kinds of plants : the Annual, Biennial,
and Perennial.
The Annuals all come up from seed in the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 119
spring ; they have fibrous roots that absorb the
nourishment from the ground, and lay up a lit-
tle capital or accumulation of sap. They spend
this directly in flowering, dying in autumn, after
the seed is perfected. When required for medi-
cinal purposes, they are gathered just before
flowering. Some farmers do this with their
grasses, and so much nutriment do they yield
in consequence, that they surprise their neighbors
by fattening their cattle with them. Peas,
Beans, and Cucumbers, are annual plants.
The Biennials, as their name denotes, live
two years. As in the case of annuals, they
come up from seed, but spend the first summer
in laying up capital. Early the ensuing spring
they sprout, sending up a stalk with considera-
bly rapidity, and producing flowers and fruit,
dying directly afterwards, as in the former case,
both differing from the Century Plant, mostly in
length of time. Such are Onions, Beets, and
Carrots
Li. Onions, Beets, and Carrots ! why we take
them out of the ground every year. They sure-
ly are annual plants.
E. You follow the example of the Mexicans,
in waiting till the store is accumulated and then
120 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
seizing upon it, precisely as you do upon the
honey which the bee has been laying up all
summer. Man, as lord of the earth, makes all
things serve his purposes. Did you leave the
plant alone, and some are always left for seed,
it would, as I mentioned, sprout up and bear
flowers and seeds. The store of nourishment
it lays up causes the roots to swell and assume
the various bulging forms in which you see
them.
Perennials do not begin to flower until they
have laid up considerable capital, and then do
not ever spend the interest of it, but constantly
add to the store. Such are Roses, Lilies, Oaks,
and Apple Trees.
Large and long lived trees produce but little
fruit at a time, and that always of a small size ;
the little Acorn, for instance, is produced on the
Oak, and the Walnut on the Hickory ; and
the gigantic tree of Mount Etna is a Ches-
nut, with quite small fruit. Could it be con-
trived to induce them to yield plenty of fruit,
they would diminish in size and soon die. A
more effectual plan could not be tried to sweep
off our tall forest trees from the earth. So that
there are other reasons for Acorns growing on
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 121
Oaks and Pumpkins on the ground, besides the
ones given in the story you told me you had
read the other day. Will you repeat it ?
L. Two gardeners once beneath an oak,
Lay down to rest, when Jack thus spoke :
" You must confess, dear Will, that nature
Is but a blundering kind of creature ;
And I nay, why that look of terror?
Could teach her how to mend her error."
" Your talk," qouth Will, " is bold and odd,
What you call nature, I call God."
" Well, call him by what name you will,"
Qouth Jack, " he manages but ill."
" Nay, from the very tree we're under
I'll prove that Providence can blunder."
Quoth Will, " through thick and thin you dash,
I shudder Jack at words so rash ;
I trust to what the Scriptures tell,
He hath done all things always icell."
Qouth Jack, " I'm lately grown a wit,
And think all good a lucky hit.
To prove that Providence can err ,
Not words, but facts, the truth aver.
To this vast oak lift up thine eyes,
Then view that acorn's paltry size
How foolish on a tree so tall,
To place that tiny cup and ball.
Xow, look again, yon pumpkin see,
It weighs two pounds at least, nay three ;
Yet this large fruit, where is it found 1
Why nearly trailing on the ground.
Had Providence asked my advice,
I would have changed it in a trice ;
11
122 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
I would have said, at Nature's birth,
Let Acorns creep upon the earth ;
But let the pumpkin, vast and round,
On the Oak's lofty boughs be found,"
He said and as he rashly spoke,
Lo ! from the branches of the Oak,
A wind, which suddenly arose,
Beat showers of acorns on his nose.
" Oh, oh !" quoth Jack, " the wrong I see,
And God is wiser far than me ;
For did a shower of pumpkins large
Thus on my naked head discharge,
I had been bruised and blinded quite ;
What Heaven appoints I find is right.
Whene'er I'm tempted to rebel,
I'll think how light the Acorns fell.
Whereas on Oaks had pumpkins hung,
My broken skull had stopped my tongue."
ELEVENTH CONVERSATION.
E. Our conversation to-day will be on the
adaptive power of nature, as shown in the ve-
getable kingdom and her various contrivances
for preventing the extinction of her children, by
the dissemination of seeds. You have noticed
the bursting of the capsules that contain the
balsam seeds, have you not ?
L. Many a time ; when they are fully ripe
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 123
I often go in the garden and touch them pur-
posely to see them burst and hear their loud
cracking, while the seeds are thrown in every
direction, as if from the mouth of a little cannon.
E. Another, not less curious instance, is in
the case of the common Dandelion, each seed
of which, when ready for planting, is furnished
with a little balloon to carry it off to another
place ; when it arrives there the balloon de-
composes and nourishes it, answering the double
purpose of transport and food.
L. I suppose the hooked seeds of the Bur-
dock are made so purposely, so that it may
cling to any passing object and thus be carried
to different places. They often stick to me
when I go near them, and I have seen great
numbers on the wooly backs of sheep and the
hair of cattle.
E. The wings with which many seeds are
furnished often carry them across the seas.
Linneus said, the seeds of the Erigeron were
introduced into Europe from America by seeds
wafted across the Atlantic ocean. The seeds,
he observed, embank upon the rivers, which de-
scend from the highest mountains of Lapland
arrive at the middle of the plains and coasts of
124 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
the seas. The ocean has thrown upon the
coasts of Norway the nuts of the Mahogany
and the fruit of the Cocoa-nut Tree, borne on its
waves from the far distant tropical regions,
which wonderful voyage has been performed
without injury to the vital energy of the seeds.
Seeds are very tenacious of life, so much so,
that those taken from Egyptian mummies, which
have been accidently shut up in the process of
embalming, have, when modern research has
opened these mummies, and the seeds been
taken from them and planted, sprouted and pro-
duced fruit.
L. The squirrels lay up their winter's store
of nuts under ground ; does not some of them,
now and then, take root and sprout ?
E. Very often ; in fact so much so, that the
Indians had a tradition in which it was assert-
ed that these animals planted all the timber of
the country. So extensive is the circulation of
seeds, by various means, that climate alone forms
a limit to their universal diffusion ; this last is a
boundary they cannot pass with life, so that
each kind is confined within eternal although
invisible barriers.
L. I have been reading a poem by Charlotte
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 125
Elizabeth, on the Vallisneria, a plant that grows
partly under water, belonging to the Class Di-
O3cia. The male of the Vallesneria has a long
spiral stem, by which its flower is at all times
enabled to adapt itself to the surface of the
water, from the bottom of which the plant shoots
forth, and to float in the middle of tide streams
of almost eveiy variation of ascent. The stem
of the female is straight and much shorter, and
is consequently only found in shallow waters,
or on shores where the tide exerts but little in-
fluence. They thus live remote from each
other and yet it is absolutely necessary that the
pollen of the male should be thrown on the stig-
ma of the female, or no seeds would be pro-
duced, and the species become extinct. The
mode by which this is done, is, as Dr. Good re-
marks, truly wonderful for the distance, as well
as the water, precludes the use of the wind or
insects. As soon as the male flower ripens its
pollen, its spiral stem dies by the want of the
nourishment which is absorbed by the flower, so
that at the moment of its perfection, the stem
bursts, and the flower separated from it sails
from shore to shore in pursuit of its companion,
for the most part, driven by the current of the
126 BOTANY FOR. YOUNG PEOPLE.
wind or stream. As soon as it arrives within a
certain range of the female it obeys a new in-
fluence, and is instantly attracted to her in spite
of the opposition of both wind and tide a fact
that has been proved in many instances ; it then
showers on her the pollen, and having fulfilled
its mission, dies.
E. Will you repeat the poem ?
Offspring of the waters tell
By what undiscovered spell,
Thou art taught unmoved to rest
On the waves inconstant breast 1
When the rivers gnshing tide
Rising high and ranging wide,
Threats with overwhelming force,
All that needs her headlong course,
Still appears thy fragile head,
Still thy flowers the wave o'erspread.
Though the stream be sucked away
By the summer's thirsty ray,
'Till the meadow's children round
Wither on the parching ground,
Yet thy peaceful cheek I find,
On its liquid couch reclined ;
Whence the charm concealed and strange,
Suiting thee to every change ?
Lady, he who bade us dwell
Where the troubled waters swell;
Lent our stem a spiral power
Precious in the needful hour,
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 127
Though to earth our root be given,
Still we fix our view on heaven.
When the tides begin to rise,
Nearer we approach the skies.
How can waters overflow,
If the Lord support bestow ?
As the rolling floods retire
Slowly coils the living wire,
Still contracting while we sink
Far beneath the grassy brink,
All unmoved our heads can rest
On the streamlet's shallow breast ;
Lady how can we be dry,
If the Lord our need supply ?
Favored flowret, from my heart,
Never may the lesson part !
Ne'er shall threatening waves of wo,
O'er the humble Christian flow ;
God can bid the storm be still,
Or impart the needful skill,
In confiding strength to ride,
Buoyant o'er the furious tide.
Never shall the streams of grace
Fail in the appointed place,
While relying on His word,
Man undoubting trusts the Lord.
E. Dr. Good, mentions a plant called the
Air Flower, from its curious habits. It is a
native of Java and the East Indies, beyond the
Ganges ; and in the latter region it is no uncom-
mon thing for the inhabitants to pluck it up on
126 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
account of the elegance of its leaves, the beauty
of its flower, and the exquisite odour it diffuses,
and to suspend it by a silken cord from the ceil-
ings of of their rooms, where from year to year
it continues to put forth new leaves, new blos-
soms, and new fragrance, excited alone to life
and action, by the stimulus of the surrounding
atmosphere.
L. How I wish one such plant adorned our
rooms. Would it not be possible to get one
here, and by tempering the air in the house so
as to be equally warm with that of its native
home, make it flourish as well?
E. It might answer in a hot-house, but would
not in common rooms, as the temperature could
not possibly be retained at the mean point.
Many of these plants are so fitted for their own
arid fields, that juicy as they are, it is impossi-
ble to make them grow in any but sear and
parched soils, and the moisture in our air would
most certainly destroy them.
An instance is related of the Solandra, a Ja-
maica shrub, which was long propagated in
stoves by cuttings, and though freely watered,
would not show any sign of flowering, notwith-
standing the cuttings grew several feet in length
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 129
.
every season. By accident, a pot with young
cuttings, was mislaid and forgotten in the Kew
Garden, and had no water given it, it was there-
by reduced to its healthy aridity, and every ex-
tremity produced a flower.
There is another plant belonging to the same
place, the Brosimum, whose powers of enduring
heat and dryness are still more extraordinary.
When the grass dies and the soil cracks into
chasms, and is baked into brick by that sun
whose face is never obscured by a single cloud,
it is then Nature comes to the aid of the sear
and parched earth by giving this plant, whose
leaves, as a writer remarked, have the property
to multiply under the flowers of the sky, as others
have to grow in the dew. The more burning
the sky, and the more arid the earth, the more
vigorously its leaves unfold. Under its abund-
ant foliage, both man and cattle find shade and
food ; its grateful fruit gratifying the one, and
its healthful pasturage supplying the other.
L. I have heard it remarked, that in temper-
ate climate the leaves of trees are apart from
each other and light, so as to allow the sun to
shine on the flowers arid trunk, but under a
torrid zone they are broad, thick, and firm, serv
130 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ing alike to shelter their own flowers and trunk,
as well as travellers and animals.
E. As you advance towards the poles the
leaves diminish most remarkably in size, dwin-
dling down to an exceeding minuteness, while
in the torrid zone, flourishes the Talipot of
Ceylon, a single leaf of which is sufficiently large
to shelter twenty men from the changes of the
climate in which they dwell.
Another remarkable peculiarity, in which
plants resemble animals, is their clothing. In
cold climates the trees have a warm and thick
covering of fine moss, as the bear has of fine
fur ; in warm ones, on the contrary, both trees,
men, and animals are naked.
L. I should think also, that in places exposed
to great winds they would have roots sunk very
deeply in the earth to prevent their being torn up.
E. Nature is always careful to adapt her
children to the dangers that surround them, and
invariably suits their abilities to their circum-
stances. The Reed has flexibility and bends to
the blast, the Oak, vigoi and bravely withstands
it. A botanist can divine at a glance the coun-
try of a vegetable that is placed before him. He
observes its structure and then considers the
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 131
climate, or locality to which that structure is
fitted.
The Heath that grows on the stormy -Cape of
Good Hope, has as much elastic power in its
stem as if it were made of spring steel, and so
energetic are the vital powers of the plants in
general of that place, that Thunberg, having
carefully taken one up and laid it on a stone,
found it after three years in vigorous health and
vegetating, having gained some inches, deriving
its aliment alone from the moisture and coolness
of the stone.
L. If every thing in nature is wisely provided,
and has its uses, I should like to know of what
possible benefit to man are poisonous plants ?
E. They may be of great benefit to him in-
directly, by feeding the animals, as I formerly
mentioned, which he eats ; you must remember
that what are poisonous to him are not so in all
cases, to other animals.
But more than this, some writers ascribe to
them another very important use, that of puri-
fying the atmosphere from unhealthy miasms.
We find the greatest number of those plants
always in unheathy natural situations, as on
the borders of marshes ; and as they abound
132 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
most during the greatest heats, it has been
surmised that Nature placed them there to
absorb the poison as it rose. Near Rome are
some plains over which, at certain seasons of the
year, it is death merely to cross, yet all this time
they are covered with the balmiest flowers which
scent the gales that pass over them, with the
most odorous perfumes. Wherever corruption
reigns, says a writer, Nature begins to put forth
a vigorous vegetation, and scatters flowers to con-
ceal or neutralize it ; and to create vast numbers
of noxious insects and animals, probably by ab-
sorbing the miasma, to restore the air to purity.
L. Yet I often see Stramonium plants grow
ing in considerable quantities, especially on Man
hattan Island, in the upper part of the city,
where there are no marshes and it is quite
healthy.
E. Instead of disproving what I have said,
the Stramonium will confirm it ; the greater
part of the ground on which you see it, is of a
marshy nature, but a few years since and the
greater part of that portion of the city was cover-
ed with water, and has since been filled in with
earth, and the Sound channel made narrower.
The Stramoniums, on the principle which I
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 133
have stated among their other uses, tend to make
the place more salubrious.
Another point worth attending to in the con-
sideration of poisonous plants, is the fact that
they grow in places remote from man, in unen-
closed fields and marshy swamps, and that too,
generally in formidable singleness ; while those
necessary to man, grow in families, and near
him, as potatoes, palms, bananas, and the dif-
ferent sorts of grain ; all of these last covering
entire fields with their harvests.
L. The editor of ANIMATED NATURE ILLUS-
TRATED, makes a similar remark in relation
to animals, observing that all destined to serve
his uses and pleasures, are gregarious, or are
found in great numbers around him, as the com-
mon fowls, horses, sheep, goats, and rabbits ;
while the destructive animals, as the lion, tiger,
leopard, and eagle, live far from him, and kave
no fellowship even with their own kinds, so that
they are few and far between.
E. To confirm the views we have considered,
it is noted as a remarkable fact, that in cold cli-
mates, are neither poisonous plants nor ven-
omous animals. Remove them to the north
and they will either die or lose their noxious
134 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
qualities. Haller remarks, that the Aconite,
a deadly poison with us, and with the juice
of which the Gauls bathed the points of their
arrows to render the most trifling wound inevi-
tably fatal, loses its envenomed properties as it
grows further north and is even eaten in Swe-
den as a salad to create appetite.
By examining carefully we can always find
either a means of cure or prevention on the spot
where disorder exists. Acting on this principle
a gentleman who had observed great numbers
of Willow trees growing by a marshy brook,
from which the miasm that produced fever and
ague was noted for its injurious effects, thought
that in the willow must exist a curative princi-
ple. After a serious of experiments he found he
was right in his conjecture. Since then a salt
has been extracted from the tree called Salaciw,
which will eventually supercede the Quinine or
active principle of the Peruvian bark.
E. Somewhat similarly, it is related that
an Indian of Pern who labored under an inter-
mittent fever, was compelled one day, by exces-
sive thirst, to drink of a pool of water he
happened to meet with in the fields. Though
the liquor was extremely bitter, the draught was
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 135
copious, and to his surprise the disease returned
no more. Others affected with agues, after
hearing his experience, tried the same remedy
and experienced similar benefit.
At first it was imagined that the salutary vir-
tue was dependant upon something adherent
in the water, but this was found to be a mistake,
and it was at length discovered that both the
bitter taste and medicinal efficacy arose from a
large quantity of the bark of a neighboring tree
that had fallen into, and was infused in the pool.
The tree was the celebrated Cinchona. By an
easy analogy the bark itself came to be em-
ployed, and the fever curing virtues of the
remedy were soon rendered known to the inha-
bitants of America.
After the subjugation of Peru, the efficacy of
the medicine was carefully concealed from the
Spaniards ; but was at last, in an hour of need,
revealed to the Governor of Loxa by an Indian,
in gratitude for a signal obligation formerly con-
ferred. Another opportunity was not long want-
ing of trying its effect on an European constitu-
tion. The subject of experiment was of high
rank, being the wife of the viceroy of Peru. Her
disease was an ague under which she had nearly
136 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
sunk, till the Governor of Loxa hearing of her
danger, sent her a quantity of the new remedy
by which she was speedily cured. The countess
name was Chin con, from which the bark has de-
rived its technical appellation.
TVVELTH CONVERSATION.
L. I have been thinking that as the grass
tribes are mostly annuals and require seed every
year to keep their species in existence, they must
gradually diminish, for the cattle undoubtedly
eat up the plants, seeds and all, and there will
come a time when the whole will be consumed
and we shall have no more meat on account of
the want of grass to feed the animals whose
flesh furnish it to us.
E. Instead of calculating how soon such des-
titution would take place you would, if a true
naturalist, look for some contrivance of Provi-
dence to avert such a dreadful evil.
Part of your statement was incorrect, you
took it for granted without much, if any, exami-
nation. The cattle do not eat up the whole
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 137
plant, watch them and you will observe that
they turn aside the fruitful stalk and select the
green blade. This arrangement uniformly pre-
vails on plains and valleys.
But in mountainous districts, where the chill
temperature is not sufficient to ripen the seeds,
the principal grasses that abound in such places
are those that increase by the spreading roots,
and are in a measure independent of seed.
Li. There is however one thing I cannot pos-
sibly see the use of, and that is the bitter herbs
we so generally see in fields, growing among
the grass. I feel so sorry for the poor cattle
which must necessarily bite them, that I often
tear them up as I pass along.
E. If some well-meaning, though ignorant
person, should go down into the kitchen and
after looking around collect all the Sage, Thyme,
Mustard, Onions, and salt that could be found,
and throw them away for the purpose of oblig-
ing you, thinking all the while how grateful you
ought to be for being relieved of eating such dis-
agreeable tasting things, what would you say ?
L. That before intruding on another's prem-
ises, and meddling with their things, the person
should endeavor to acquire as much informa-
138 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
tion as possible, for without that a great amount,
of responsibility would be incurred without doing
any possible good. Yet I cannot conceive of
a case in which people could be so ignorant as
to throw away the seasoning of food for such a
silly reason.
E. Yet, on precisely the same grounds,
you entered the premises of the cattle and
plucked up what answered the same purpose to
them as salt and kitchen herbs did to you. You
must remember that God takes care of the hap-
piness of every living creature, and that a work
of superogation of his has never been discovered.
But it is time now to close our preliminary
conversation, you know quite enough to com-
mence botanising without farther delay. There
is one thing you must invariably, when possible,
do and that is not only to collect a specimen of
each plant for examination but one or two for
preservation. Taking some pains to adhere to
this rule will ensure you in a short time a va-
luable Herbarium.
L. How shall I preserve the plants?
E. When you want them for analysis a tin
box, with a tightly fitting lid. is the best ; they
will keep for a number of days in this way by
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 139
occasionally sprinkling water upon them. You
can use the box I employ, for this purpose, and
it will be seldom empty if you continue study-
ing botany as you have commenced. Do not
forget that three hundred specimens carefully
analysed will rank you among the order of
botanists.
For your herbarium, a different course must
be pursued : provide yourself with as many old
newspapers as you can, file them, and between
their leaves, some pages intervening for each
plant, place your specimens ; over the top of all
lay your largest atlas, covered with enough books
to make it quite heavy. The paper will absorb
the mixture ; taking them out often, and expos-
ing both paper and plants to a current of air,
will materially help the drying. You can easily
tell when this is accomplished, and must then
transfer them to your blank-book. Write on
each page with the flower, the class, order,
genus, and specific name, and the place where
you found it, or the name of the person, if a
present, as well as the location. It will be well
to have a regular description on one side of the
page, and the flower on the other.
L. How long does it take them to dry ?
140 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E. From a couple of days to two or three
weeks, depending of course on the moisture they
contain.
L. How should they be fastened on ?
E. Sewing with a fine needle and thread is
perhaps the best plan. Some cut the paper
itself and thus form loops, others use glue and
paste. To defend the whole against insects, it
is well to pass a brush over it dipped in an alco-
holic solution of corrosive sublimate,
L. I noticed in your herbarium that many
of the prettiest flowers had lost their color and
changed to black. Is it so always ?
E. Often among the blue, red, and white
colors ; yellow, scarlet, and green, are rather
more durable. To give you an opportpnity of
applying your knowledge, I will pluck this flower
and wish you to discover its name by its charac-
ters. Dr. Thornton, compares a person engag-
ed in ascertaining the name of a plant to one
upon a botanical journey, the plant being his
directory. If he can read the botanical charac-
ters impressed upon it by the hand of nature,
he will, by following the system, soon arrive at
his journey's end. How many stamens do you
here count ?
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 141
L. Five. It is in the fifth class, and as there
is but one pistil, in the first order.
E. We will suppose the directory points to
New York State by the class, and to New York
City by the orders. We will next find the
street and house, which we can do by the cor
responding generic and specific marks.
L. Why this must be exactly the plan pur-
sued at the Post Office, in sending ofT letters that
are directed to different persons.
E. It is. Now having found the class and
order, let us turn to the list of genera in the
first order of the fifth class. You will find such
a list in any of the larger systematic works on
botany.
L. It compares best with the Mirabilis or
Marvel of Peru ; the corona is funnel formed,
narrow below, the calyx inferior, and it has a
globular stigma.
E. You are right. Turn now to the genus
Mirabilis, and see with which of its species it
agrees.
L. Mirabilis Dichotoma Mexican Four
O'Clock ; flowers sessile, axillary, erect, solitary.
It cannot belong to Mexico then. Now for an-
142 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
other, the Mirabilis Jalapa Common Four
O'clock, flowers heaped, ped uncled, leaves glab-
rous. I must look in the GLOSSARY for the
meaning of some of these terms. Yes ; this is
the flower. I need proceed no further.
E. The generic marks led you to the house,
and the specific to the number, so that your
journey has ended, the letter has at last reached
its destination. Here is another plant, in what
class and order is it?
L. I must cut it open to see. It is in the
fourth class and first order, it has four stamens
and one style.
E. Will you turn to that class and order in
the manuscript and tell the genus. You will
have easy work, for they are comparatively few
in the class.
L. I am unsuccessful. I have compared it
with all species and it does not agree with a
single description. There is a mistake some-
where ; perhaps it has been omitted by accident
in the list.
E. Can plants having only four stamens be
possibly in any other class but the fourth ?
L. They cannot. O yes ! I recollect, two of
the stamens are longer than the others ; it must
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 143
belong to the class of two powers Didynamia.
It has a calyx with one of the teeth truncate :
corol funnel-shaped arid curved tube, the border
five cleft nearly equal. It must be the Ver-
bena.
E. I purposely selected that flower to puzzle
you. I did so, because, when a school girl, I
was caught in that way myself, and the effect
on my mind was invaluable ; though often ex
posed, I never failed aftenvards, and I have no
doubt it will be equally serviceable to you.
L. I hope I will examine more carefully be
fore I give another opinion ; but I have not yet
found its species. It is the Verbena Hastata, I
can tell it at the first glance looking among the
species. It is erect and high with long narrow
leaves, awl pointed at the ends, and roughly
sawed on the margin. The lower leaves some-
what gash-hastate, spikes linear and panicled,
with an appearance of piling.
E. You can now pursue your journey in a
great measure alone. With a far less amount
of knowledge to commence, many, by unassisted
effort, have become celebrated naturalists. Here
is another flower that grows very plentifully in
grandmother's garden, and which she says often
144 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
fall down by its own weight. Take a blossom
and tell me its name.
L. It has ten stamens and two pistils ; it is
then in the tenth class and second order of that
class.
E. How will you write it in your description '/
L. Class Decandria, order, Digyriia. Its
calyx is inferior or below the germ, made of one
leaf, tube-shaped, has five teeth, and, let me
see, destitute of scales. The petals are five in
number, with claws. It must belong then to
the genus Saponaria, and turning to that genus
in the Botany, I perceive it agrees with the de
scription of the Officinalis. The calyx is cylin-
drical, the leaves of a long oval shape, opposite
to each other, and nearly growing together
around the stem. This is the Soapwort, or
what grandmother calls Bouncing Bet. I per-
ceive, that in looking up the genus of a plant,
my attention must be principally directed to the
parts of the flower, while the specific differences
relate the stems and leaves.
K. There is a distinction between the stems
of plants which is based on their modes of grow-
ing. The two kinds are called by the names
Of ENDOGENOUS and EXOGENOUS.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 145
L. What do the names mean ?
E. Endogenous means, literally, an inside
grower ; exogenous an outside grower. Endo-
genous plants are also Monocotyledonous : ex-
ogenous plants, Dicotyledonous.
The Cocoa-nuts, Date Palm, Sugar Cane,
and most of the trees of tropical climates are
endogenous. They have long stems of the
same thickness from top to bottom, the leaves in
the form of a Cabbage, being situated at the
top. The woody matter is deposited in the
stems in the centre at first, and as it is con ti mi-
ally forming, pushes out the old matter to the
circumference, and does this until the bundles of
wood at the outside become so closely wedged
together and tight, that it is impossible to in-
crease its diameter. Another layer is then
added upwards. Such trees have no real bark,
the rough appearance of the outside being merely
the remains of leaves.
L. The trunks of such trees then, while grow-
ing, look like stumps of our trees when cut down
and sawed smooth, only covered on the top with
leaves. There are few of these curious plants
with us.
E. None that attain the size of trees. You
13
146 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
perceive now why they are termed endogenous,
as they grow from the centre outwards. When
a European wood cutter, it has been well re-
marked, begins to fell a tree of this description,
he is quite astonished at his hardness. l If I
have so much difficulty with the outside,' says
he. ' how shall I ever get through the heart of
the wood ?' But as he proceeds, he rinds that
the trees of the tropical climates have tender
hearts though hard surfaces. It is said that
this renders them peculiarly appropriate for
making masts of vessels and pipes to convey
water.
Exogenous trees toper from the bottom to the
top, and send off branches on all sides, which
the endogenous rarely do ; they more or less, in
all cases, resemble a cone in shape. The stem
is composed of the wood and bark. In the cen-
tre is the pith which answers somewhat like the
marrow that is in our bones for the purpose of
nourishing them. This pith or cellular sub-
stance is in both endogenous and exogenous
stems ; in the former it forms with the woody
matter irregular bundles, but has in the latter
a radiated appearance, distinguishing the differ-
ent kinds at first sight.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 147
L. I should think that was hardly needed as
a distinguishing mark. We can tell endogenous
trees by not giving off branches and the bundle
of leaves at the tops.
E. There is another external mark, the veins
~in the leaves, or woody lines run parallel to
each other, and are generally long and pointed ;
while in the exogenous plants they form an in-
tersecting net work.
The first year there is a layer of woody mat-
ter around the pith between it and the bark ;
during cold weather vegetation ceases. The
second year there is another layer added outside
the first layer and inside the bark; this last
squeezes the first so tightly that it cannot ex-
pand at all sideways, and as it continues grow-
ing must shoot upward. The third year an-
other layer encloses the second, and serves it as
it has served the first, so that the second is
forced upwards in same manner. In three
years then, there are three layers, the first of
which is highest, the second next in height and
the third lowest, thus explaining it conical form.
L. If we could see the different layers of
wood I think we might easily tell the age of the
tree.
148 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E. They are generally very easily distin-
guishable. Here is a piece of fire wood ; how
old is it ?
L. There are twenty-two rings, it is twenty-
two years old.
E. Examine the other end ; how many rings
in that?
L. Twelve.
7! E. Twelve from twenty-two, leaves ten ; it
was, consequently, ten years growing the length
of this piece.
L. But does it ever stop growing ?
E. Yes ; for at last the inside layers become
so extremely hard as to be no longer capable of
yielding to pressure, it is then perfect wood, be-
fore which it was alburnum or white wood, so
called from its color.
L. But that could not apply to the Mahogany
tree whose wood is not white.
L. It does, however, apply in every case ; not
until it becomes perfect wood, and ceases to be
alburnum, does the deposit of coloring matter
take place in it which gives each kind its pecu-
liar character ; even ebony when young is per-
fectly white.
L. But how does the bark grow all this time ?
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PKOPLE. 149
E. In an endogenous manner. The layers
are added from the inside, and push the former
matter out, so that it cracks and breaks in every
direction, causing that roughened appe:u\u:ce
we see in the Oak and Elm.
The bark of some trees is so hard and inflexi-
ble that it will not yield, but splits and breaks
off every season ; such is the Plane tree. On
the other extreme, is the Cork tree, whose bark
does not harden for a number of years, and
being stripped off while soft answers a variety
of purposes in the arts.
If you take a gimblet and bore through the
bark till you just reach the alburnum, as the
successive coats of bark are deposited internally,
and push the others out, the gimblet will, after
a while, drop to the ground. In this way in-
scriptions on the bark of trees are effaced by the
distension and consequent cracking.
L. But if the gimblet enters the alburnum
some distance, it will not drop off. but be held
tighter every year.
E. Even an inscription made deep enough to
penetrate the alburnum will remain uninjured.
A story is told of the great traveller Adamson
finding a t re r. sure in this way. He relates that
*"
150 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
in visiting Cape Verd in the year 1748, he was
struck by the venerable appearance of a tree 50
feet in circumference. He recollected having
read in some old voyages an account of an in-
scription made in a tree thus situated. No
traces of such an inscription remained, but the
position of the tree having been accurately de-
scribed, Adamson was induced to search for it
by cutting into the tree, when to his great satis-
faction, he discovered the inscription entire,
under no less a covering than three hundred
layers of wood.
A somewhat similar story is related of Daniel
Boone, the first settler of Kentucky.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 151
SYNOPSIS.
CLASSES.
1. MONANDRIA.
Ginger, Arrow-root, and Can-
na.
2. DIANDRIA.
Jessamine, Privet, Olive, and
Lilac.
3. TBIANDBIA.
Saffron, Iris, and the Grasses.
4. TETRANDRIA.
Bed Straw, Holly, and Skunk
Cabbage.
5. PENTANDHIA.
Forget Me Not, Borage, Bind,
weed, Potatoes, Bell Flow-
ers and Violets.
6. HEXANDRIA.
Snow Drop, Narcissus, Tu-
lip, Aloe, Grape, and Hya-
cinth.
7. HEPTANDRIA.
Horse Chestnut, and Chick
Wintergreen.
8. OCTANDRIA.
Ear Drop, Cranberry, and Tree
Primrose.
9. ENNEANDHIA.
Rhubarb, Sassafrass.
10. DECANDRIA.
Cassia, Wild Indigo, Arbutus,
Venus Fly-trap, Hydrangea
Pinks, and, Pokeweed.
ORDERS.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia.
1. Monogynia, 2.Digyni:i.
1. Monogynia, 2. Dygynia, 3.
Trigynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynii, 3
Trigynia, 4. Tetragynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 4. Tetragynia, 5.
Pentagynia, 6. Hexagynia,
13. Polygnia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 4-. Tetragynia, 6.
Hexagynia, 13. Polygynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 4.
Tetragynia, 6. Hexagynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 4. Tetragynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia 4. Tetragynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 4. Tetragynia, 5.
Pentagynia, 10. Decagynia.
152
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PKOPLE.
Rejected. 11. DODECANDHIA.
Agrimony and Mignonette
12. ICOSANDRIA.
Peach, Apple, Rose, Cactus,
Ice Plant, Plum, and Straw-
berry.
13. PoLYANDHIA.
Poppy, Larkspur, Columbine,
Tea, Water Lily, Lemon,
and Peony.
14. DIDYNAMIA.
Mint, Pennyroyal, Catnep, and
Vervain.
15. TETHADYNAMIA.
Horse Radish. Mustard, and
Cabbage.
16. MONADELPHIA.
Geranium, Passion Flower,
Hollyhock, Cotton.
17. DlADELPHIA.
Pea, Bean, Lucerne, Indigo,
and Liquorice,
Rejected, 18. POLYADELPHIA.
Chocolate, and St. John's
Wort.
19. SYNGENESIA.
Dandelion, Lettuce, Burdock,
Thistle and all the other
compound flowers.
20. GYNANDRIA.
Orchis, Lady's Slipper, Vanil-
la, Birthworth, and the Silk
Weeds.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 5. Pentagynia, 12.
Dodecagynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 5. Pentagynia, 13.
Polygynia.
1. Monogynia, 2. Digynia, 3.
Trigynia, 4. Tetragynia, 5.
Pentagynia, 6. Hexagynia,
13. Polygynia.
1. Gymnospermia, 2. Angios-
permia.
1. Siliculosa, 2. Siliquosa.
3. Triandria, 5. Pentandria, 7.
Heptandria, 8 Octandria, 9.
Enneandria, 10. Decandria,
12. Dodecandria, 13. Poly-
andria.
5. Pentandria, 6. Hexandria,
10. Octandrie, Decandria.
5. Pentandria, Icosandria, Po-
lyandria.
1. Polygamia Equalis, 2. Po-
lygamia Superflua, 3. Poly-
gamia Frustranea, 5. Poly-
gamia Nescessaria, 5. Poly-
gamia Segregata.
1. Monandria, 2. Diandria
4. Tetrandria, 5. Pen tan
dria, 6. Hexandria, 10. De-
candria, 12. Dodecandria,
13. Polyandria.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 157
nose. Stem panicled. Calyx ovate, mucronate.
Scales broad, lanceolate close pressed ; woolly
margin. [Canada Thistle.]
DATURA. Pentandria Monogynia. Calyx
tubular, angled, caducous, with a round perma-
nent base. Corol funnel form, plaited. Cap-
sule four valved. Thorny.
D. Stramonium. Pericarps spinose, erect
ovate. Leaves ovate with angular teeth.
[Thorn Apple.]
DIANTHUS. Decandria Digynia. Calyx in-
ferior, cylindric, one leaved, with four scales
commonly at base, sometimes eight. Petals
five, with claws. Capsules cylindric, one celled.
D. Barbatus. Flowers fascicled. Scales of
the calyx ovate, subulate. Leaves lanceolate.
[Sweet William.]
D. Caryophyllus. Flowers solitary. Calcy-
nine scales cylindric, very short. Petals cre-
nate. Leaves linear subulate, channelled.
[Carnation.]
D. Chinensis. Flowers solitary. Scales of
calyx subulate, spreading, leafy, equalling the
tube. Petals crenate, leaves lanceolate. [China
Pink.l
158 BOTANV FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ERODIUM. Monadelphia Pentandria. Calyx
five leaved. Corol five petalled. Nectaries five,
alternating with filaments. Arils five, one
seeded, awned, beaked at base of receptacle.
E. Ciconiuin. Pendimcle sustaining many
flowers. Leaves pinnate ; leaflets toothed pin-
natifid. Petals oblong, obtuse. Stem ascend-
ing. [Storksbill Geranium.]
E. Oicutarium. Pendimcle sustaining many
flowers. Leaves pinnate, leaflets sessile, pinna-
tifid, gashed. Corol much larger than Calyx.
Stem prostrate, hirsute. [Hemlock Geranium.]
E. Moschatum. Peduncle sustaining many
flowers. Leaves pinnate, leaflets partially pro-
vided with stalks, oblong toothed, coral equaling
the calyx, stem procumbent. [Musk Geranium.]
FRAG ARIA. Icosandria, Polygynia. Calyx
inferior ten cleft, the five alternate divisions
being smaller. Petals five. Receptacle ovate,
simulating a berry. Acines naked, immersed in
the receptacle.
F. Virginiana. Calyx of the fruit spreading.
Hair on the petioles erect on the peduncles close
pressed. . Leaves rather glabrous above. [Wild
Strawberry.]
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 159
F. Vesca. Calyx of fruit reflexed. Hair on
the petioles spreading, on the penduncles close
pressed. [English Strawberry.]
GERANIUM. Monadelphia Decandria. Ca-
lyx five leaved. Corol five petalled regular.
Nectaries five, adhering to the base of the five
alternating long filaments. Arils five, one seeded
awned, beaked at the elongated top of the re-
ceptacle.
G. Maculatum. Erect. Stem dichomatous.
Leaves opposite, three or five parted, gashed,
upper leaves sessile. Penduncles two flowered.
Petals obovate. [Spotted Geranium.]
G. Robertianum. Spreading, hirsute. Leaves
opposite, ternate and quinate. three cleft, pinna-
tifid. Penduncles two flowered. Petals entire,
twice as long as Calyx. Awn net veined. [Herb
Robert.]
HELIANTHUS. Syngenesia Polygamia Frus-
tranea. Calyx imbricate sub-squarrose, leafy.
Receptacle flat, chaffy. Egret two leaved chaff-
like caducous.
. H. Annuus. Leaves cordate, three nerved.
160 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Penduncles thickening upwards. Flowers nod
ding 1 . [Common Sunflower.]
H. Tuberosus. Leaves three nerved, sca-
brous ; lower ones ovate, upper ones ovate acu-
minate. Petioles ciliate. Root tuberous. [Je-
rusalem Artichoke.]
IRIS. Triandria Monogynia. Corol six pe-
talled, unequal. Petals alternate jointed and
spreading. Stigmas three, petal form, cowled,
two lipped.
I. Plicata. Bearded. Scape mostly one flow-
ered, and as long as the leaves. Petals, undu-
late, plicate, erect ones broadest. [Garden Iris.]
I. Germanica. Corolla bearded. Stem with
leaves, many flowered. Inferior flowers pe-
d uncled. [Fleur de Lis.]
IPOMEA. Pentandria Monogynia. Calyx
five cleft, naked. Coral funnel form with five
folds. Stigma globular, and covered with fleshy
points. Capsule two or three celled, many
seeded.
I. Coccinea. Pubescent. Leaves cordate,
acuminate. Peduncles five, flowered. Corolla
tubular. [Scarlet Morning Glory.]
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 161
I. Quamoclit. Leaves pinnatifid linear.
Flowers solitary. Corolla tubular. [Crimson
Cypress Yine. Jasmine Bindweed.]
JASMINUM. Diandria Monogynia. Corol
salver shaped. Berry two seeded. Seeds soli-
tary arilled.
J. Officinale. Leaves opposite, pinnate, leaf-
lets acuminate. Buds almost upright. [Jas-
mine.]
KALMIA. Decandria Monogynia. Calyx
five parted. Corol wheel-salver-form, with ten
horns beneath and ten cavities within, which
contain the anthers until the pollen is mature.
Capsule, five celled, many seeded.
K. Latifolia. Leaves long petioled, scattered,
in threes, oval, smooth. Corymbs terminal,
with visced hairs. [Mountain Laurel.]
K. Glauca. Brachlets double edged. Leaves
opposite, subsessilo, oblong, smooth, margin re-
volute, glaucous beneath. Corymbs terminal,
bracted. Penduncles and calyxes glabrous.
[Swamp Laurel.]
LTLIUM. Hexandria Monogynia. Corol in-
162 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ferior, six petalled, bell shaped. Petals with a
longitudinal line from the middle to the vase.
Stamens shorter than the style. Capsules with
valves connected by cancellated hair.
L. Candidum. Leaves lanceolate, scattered.
Corolla bell shaped, smooth within. [White Lily.]
L. Philadelphicum. Leaves whorled, lance
linear. Corol erect, bell-form spreading. Pe-
tals lanceolate with claws. [Red Lily.]
L. Canadense. Leaves remotely whorled,
lanceolate. Peduncles terminal, lengthened,
often in threes. Corol nodding. Petals spread-
ing. [Nodding Lily.]
LONICERA. Pentandria Monogynia. Calyx,
five toothed. Corol tubular, long, five cleft, un-
equal. Stamens exsert. Stigmas globose. Ber-
ry, two or three celled, with many seeds.
L. Caprifolium. Cowls gaping, terminal.
Leaves sessile, connate. [Honeysuckle.]
L. Periclymenum. Flowers in piled, termi-
nal heads. Leaves distinct. [Woodbine.]
MYOSOTIS. Pentandria Monogynia. Calyx
mostly five cleft. Corol, salver form, carved,
five cleft, lobes slightly emarginate, throat closed
with convex scales. Seeds mostly smooth.
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 163
M. Palustrus. Seeds smooth. Calyx, leaves
nearly oval, as long as the tubes of the corol.
Stem sub-ramose. Leaves, lance-oval. Ra-
cemes bractless. [Forget Me Not.]
M. Arvensis. Calyx leaves oval, acuminate,
hirsute, longer than tube of corol. Stem branch-
ing. Racemes conjugate. Leaves lance-oblong,
hirsute. [Scorpion Grass.]
NYMPHEA. Polyandria Monogynia. Calyx
four, six and seven leaved. Corol, many pe-
talled, petals equalling the length of sepals.
Stigma a broad, disk marked with radiated lines.
Berry, many celled, many seeded.
N. Odorata. Leaves round-cordate, entire,
rfub-emarginate, lobes spreading asunder, acumi-
nate, obtuse. Petals equalling the four leaved
Calyx. [Sweet Scented Water Lily.
OXALTS. Decandria Pentagynia. Calyx
five parted, permanent. Petals, five, often con-
nected at the base. Capsules, five celled, five
cornered, opening at the corners. Seeds arilled.
O. Acetosella. Scape one flowered. Styles
equal. Leaves ternate, obcordate, hirsute. Root,
toothed. [Wood Sorrel.
164 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PKOPLE.
PAPAVER. Polyandria, Monogynia. Calyx,
two-leaved, caducous. Corol, four petalled.
Stigma, a disk with radiating lines over it. Cap-
sules one celled, opening dehisent by holes un-
der the permanent stigmas.
P. Rheas. Capsules, urn shaped, smooth.
Stem, many flowered, pilose. Leaves, gash-
pinnatifid. [Wild Poppy.]
QUERCUS. Monoecia Polyandria. Stami-
nate flowers. Calyx, commonly five, cleft. Co-
rolla, none. Stamens, five or ten. Female :
Calyx, one leaved, quite entire rugged. Corolla,
none. Styles, two to five. Seeds one, ovate.
Q,. Tinctoria. Leaves obovate, oblong, pu-
bescent beneath ; lobes oblong, obtuse, denticu-
late, setaceous mucronate. Calyx, saucer form.
Acorn, depressed, globose. [Black Oak.]
RUBUS. Icosandria Polygynia. Calyx, five
cleft, inferior. Corol, five petaled. Berry, com-
posed of one seeded juicy, acini.
R. Ideus. Leaves quinate, pinnate and ter-
nate, tomentose underneath, leaflets rhomb-
ovate, acuminate. Petioles channelled. Stem
prickly. [Raspberry.]
BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 165
R. Villosus. Pubescent, hispid and prickly.
Leaves digitate in threes or lives, leaflets ovate,
acuminate, serrate and hairy both sides. Stem
and petioles prickly. Calyx, short, acuminate.
Petals lance ovate.
SALVIA. Diandria Monogynia. Calyx tu-
bular, striated, two lipped. Cowl ringent.
Filaments fastened transversely to a pedicel.
S. Officinalis. Leaves, lanceolate, ovate
notched. Flowers spiked. Calyx mucronate.
[Sage.]
THYMUS. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Ca-
lyx, sub campanulate. Throat closed with
v illose hairs. Corol of the upper lip shorter.
T. Vulgaris. Stems erect. Leaves, ovate,
re volute. Flowers whorl spiked. [Thyme.]
ULMUS. Pentandria Digynia. Calyx some-
what bell form, generally five cleft, inferior, per-
manent. Corolla none. Capsules membrana-
ceous. flat, compressed, one seeded.
U. Americana. Branches smooth. Leaves
oblique at base, serratures acuminate. Flow-
166 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ers pedicelled. Fruit fringed with dense down.
[Elm Tree.]
VERONICA. Diandria Monogynia. Calyx
four parted. Corol four cleft, wheel shaped,
with the lowest segment narrower. Capsule two
celled, few seeded.
V. Officinalis. Spikes lateral, peduncled.
Leaves opposite, obovate, hairy. Stem procum-
bent, with coarse hairs. [Speedwell.]
WINDSORIA. Triandria Digynia. Calyx,
two valved, one nerved, cuspidate. Corols two
valved, outer valves having nerves with mucro-
nate points, between which are teeth and a fring-
ing below ; inner valves naked. Flowers closely
piled two ways in a thick spike.
W." Seslerioides. Panicle spreading and flex-
uose. Spikelets peduncled, generally six flow-
ered, lanceolate. Lower valve of corol ovate
five toothed. [Red-top.]
XANTHIUM. Monoecia Pentandria, Male:
Calyx common, imbricate. Corol one petalled,
five cleft, funnel form. Receptacles chaffy. Fe-
DOT AN y FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 167
male: Involucre, two leaved. Corol none,
Drupe dry, muricated, two cleft. Nut two
celled.
X. Strumarium. Stem unarmed. Leaves
cordate, serrate, three nered at the base. Fruit,
oval, pubescent, with hooked bristles. [Bur
Weed.]
YUCCA. Hexandria Monogynia. Corol, in-
ferior, bell form. Filaments sub-clavate. Style,
none. Capsule oblong, with three obtuse
angles, three celled opening at the summit. Seeds
compressed.
Y. Filamentosa. Stemless. Leaves broad,
lanceolate entire, filamentose in the margin.
Stigmas turned back, spreading. [Silk Grass.
Bear Grass.]
ZEA. Mono3cia Triandria. Male : Calyx,
glume, two flowered, awnless, corol glume,
awnless. Female : Calyx glume, two valved.
Style one, long and pendulous. Seed solitary,
buried in an oblong receptacle.
[In examining this genus it should be re-
membered that the number of valves are in-
creased in the glumes by cultivation.]
168 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Z. Mays. Leaves lance linear, entire keeled.
[Indian Corn.j
MEDICAL PLANTS.
MEDICAL PLANTS.
BAYBKRRV.
170 MEDICAL PLANTS.
MYKICA CERIFERA BAYBERRY.
Natural order, Myricacese Linnsean class, Dioecia Order,
Tetrandria.
Gen. Char. Staminate flowers with four to six short erect
stamens, having large four-valved anthers ; fertile flowers ;
ovary one, superior ; styles two spreading ; stigmas two acute ;
drupe one celled, one seeded. Spec. Char. Leaves cuneate,
lanceolate acute, sterile ameuts lax ; scales acute; fruit round,
naked. This plant is found in dry woods and fields, growing
from three to six feet in height, and covered profusely with
leaves. It blooms in May. The specific name alludes to the
wax-bearing property of the fruit, which, boiled in water,
gives one third its weight of bayberry tallow. A tea is made of
the bark, and used freely in diarrhoaa and cholera morbus.
*6uuff is also prepared from the bark by finely powdering it,
and baking.
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIA.TOM BONESET.
Natural order, Compositae Linntean class, Syngenesia Or-
der, Equalis.
Gen. Char. Involucre imbricate, oblong ; style exserted,
cleft half way down ; receptacle naked ; pappus scabrous.
Spec. Char. Leaves connate perfoliate, oblong-serrate, ru-
gose ; stem villose. It grows from two to four feet in height.
It flowers in dense, depressed, terminal corymbs, formed of
smaller corymbs, each containing from twelve to fifteen florets
of a dull whitish color. The leaves, stems, and stalk are of a
grayish green color. The seeds are black, oblong with acute
bases, and pappus with scabrous hairs. It is a fall plant, blos-
soming from August to October, and is found near streams,
swamps, and marshes. It is a valuable family plant ; much
used to sweat, vomit, purge, and give tone to the system. The
MEDICAL PLANTS.
BONESET
dose of the powdered herb is ten grains. A pint of boiling
water poured on an ounce of the herb, and strained when cool,
is given in gill doses. Taken hot, it will sweat ; lukewarm,
vomit ; and cold, purge. The cold tea is used to strengthen the
system, in tablespoonful doses at intervals. The generic name
was given in honor of Eupater, king of Pontus, who first used
it ; the specific, in allusion to the leaf clasping the stem.
172
MEDICAL PLANTS.
BLOOD- HOOT.
JltiDiOAL PLANTS. if 8
SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS BLOOD-ROOT.
Natural order, Papaveracese Linnaean class, Polyandria Or-
der, Monogynia
Gen. Char. Calyx two sepalled, caducous; corolla eight
petalled ; stigma two-lobed, sessile ; capsule pod-like ; ovate
one celled, two valved, acute at each end, many seeded. Spec.
Char. Leaves subreniform ; scape one-flowered, sheathed at
base. This a beautiful little plant, sometimes appearing before
the snow is off the ground. The flowerstalk is some eight
inches in height, bearing a white, square, scentless flower,
which soon disappears. The root is the part used ; when
pressed, it exudes a blond-colored fluid, whence the generic
name. It should be gathered in the fall or early spring. The
dose of the powder is one grain ; of the tincture, ten drops.
It induces profuse sweating, and in much smaller doses gives
tone to the system. Il is used in chronic diseases of the liver
and lungs, dysentery, and inflammatory rheumatism. The
powder is also sprinkled on foul ulcers.
IRIS VERSICOLOR BLUE FLAG.
Natural order, Iridaces Linnaean class, Triandria Order,
Monogynia.
Gen. Char. Sepals three, reflexed, larger than petals ; sta-
mens distinct; stigmas petaloid, covering the stamens and
rarely supported by a style. Spec. Char. Stems terete, flex-
nous ; leaves ensiform ; flowers beardless ; ovary triangular.
A very handsome, well-known plant, deriving its generic name
from the Greek, meaning rainbow, on account of the beautiful
changing tints of the flowers, which are of purple or violet
174
MEDICAL PLANTS.
BLUE FLAG.
colors, and bloom in June. It grows some three ieet in height.
The root is the portion used; eight grains of the fresh pow-
dered, or fifteen of the dried, will purge. It is given in dropsy,
and sometimes in chronic liver complaint. The decoction is
also used as a wash in sore mouth and ulcers.
MEDICAL PLANTS.
175
LADIKS* SLIPPF.R.
176 MEDICAL PLANTS.
CYPRIPEDIUM PARVIFLORUM YELLOW LADIES' SLIPPER.
Natural order, OrchidseceaB Linnaean class, Gynandria Or-
der, Triaudria.
Gen. Char. The two inferior sepals, joined into one seg-
ment, sometimes nearly or quite distinct; lip ventricose, inflated,
obtuse; style with terminal lobe. Spec. Char. Stem leafy ;
lobe of style, three corned, acute ; sepals ovate, oblong, acu-
minate; petals long, twisted; lip shorter than petals, com-
pressed. It grows in woods and meadows to the height of
twelve or fifteen inches. The leaves are sometimes six inches
long and three wide, nerved, alternate, clasping pubescent.
Generally but one flower, which blooms in May or June.
Segments four, greenish, with purple stripes and spots. The
generic name is derived from the Greek, meaning Venus' slip-
per, and the specific from the flower. The roots are the por-
tion used, and should be collected in early spring, dried, and
reduced to powder. Dose, a teaspoonful in all nervous and
hysterical diseases.
CHIMAPHILA MACULATA SPOTTED WINTERGREEN.
Natural order, Ericaceae Linnaean class, Decandria Order,
Monogynia.
Gen. Char. Calyx five parted ; petals five ; style short and
thick ; capsule five celled, opening at top. Spec. Char. Leaves
lanceolate, acuminate, slightly serrate ; peduncles corymbosed,
filaments woolly. Grows from four to six inches high, with
leaves an inch and a half long, and half an inch wide, marked
with whitish lines. Flowers of a purplish white color, on nod-
ding stalks, blooming in June and July. The leaves are tho
MEDICAL PLANTS.
177
WlNTKRGKEEN.
portion mostly used, and these are given in the form of decoc-
tion, made by boiling, two ounces in three pints of water down
to a quart. Dose, a pint every twenty-four hours. It is used
in dropsy, liver complaint, and low fevers. Its generic name
means winter-loving, and its specific alludes to its spotted
leaves.
16
178
MEDICAL PLANTS.
SNAKKHEAD.
MEDICAL PLANTS. 179
CHELONE GLABRA SNAKEHEAD.
Natural order, Scrophulariaceae Linnaean class, Dedyna-
mia Order, Angrospesmia.
Gen. Char. Calyx five cleft, three bracted ; corol ringent, in
flated ; anthers woolly ; capsule two celled, two valved ; seeds
with membranous margins. Spec. Char. Plant smooth ;
leaves opposite, oblong lanceolate, acuminate, serrate ; flowers
spiked. Grows two feet in height, with leaves of a shining
dark green color, and sends out white flowers tinged with red,
from August to September. The generic name supposes the
flowers resemble a tortoise, but the common name likens
them to a snake with open mouth and extended tongue. The
plant has a bitter taste, and is given in the form of tea to
strengthen the stomach, and is said to be useful in liver com-
plaint, worms, and jaundice.
APOCYNUM ANPROSEMIFOLIUM DOG S-BANE.
Natural order, Apocynaceae Linnaean class, Gynandria Or-
der, Pentandria.
Gen. Char. Calyx small ; corolla bell-shaped, with small
lobes ; stamens inside ; filament short, alternating with five
glandular teeth ; anthers sagittate, connivent, cohering to stig-
ma by the middle ; ovaries two ; stigmas connate ; follicles
long, distinct. Spec. Char. Leaves ovate ; cymes lateral and
terminal ; tube of corolla longer than calyx, with limb spread-
ing ; a handsome plant, attaining the height of three feet, and,
in August, making a fine appearance with its dark green leaves
'
<r*
180
MKDiCAL PLANTS.
DOG'S BANE.
and red and white-striped flowers. The root is the part used ;
twenty -five grains of it, when fresh-powdered, act as an
emetic. Two or three grains, frequently repeated, are given
in dyspepsia and low fevers. The Indians cure dropsy with
it by giving large doses. The generic name resembles in mean-
ing the common English one.
MEDICAL PI, ANTS.
181
LOBELIA INFLATA INDIAN TOBACCO.
Natural order, Lobeliaceae Limuean class, Pentandria Or-
dor, Monogyuia
182 MEDICAL PLANTS.
Gen. Char. Corolla irregular, tubular, cleft nearly to base
ou the upper side ; anthers joined above into a curved tube ;
stigma two-lobed ; capsule opening at top ; seeds small. Spec.
Char. Stem hairy, erect, somewhat branching ; leaves ovate-
lanceolate, sessile, serrate, pilose ; capsule inflated- This well-
known plant, from its use as a specific in Thomson's practice,
sends out its pretty pale flowers from August to September. It
grows a foot or two high. The generic name was given in honor
of Lobele, some 240 years since. It is a powerful emetic, resem
bling tobacco in its effects, but acts in a shorter time. In reg-
ular practice it is given in asthma, with some success.
ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA BUTTERFLY WEED.
Natural order, Asclepiadaceae Linnaean class, Gynandria
Order, Pentandria.
Gen. Char. Calyx small ; petals joined at base ; reflexed ;
five-lobed. with five averted horns at the base of the lobes ;
connate mass of anthers, five-angled, truncate, opening by fine
fissures lengthwise ; five distinct pairs of masses of pollen ; fol-
licles two, ventricose; seeds comose. Spec. Char. Stem
hairy, branching at top; leaves alternate, sessile, oblong-lance-
olate ; umbels many, forming large terminal corymbs. It is
about two feet or more high, and sends out magnificent orange-
v colored flowers in August. The pods are filled with flat ovate
eeeds, packed in with long silky down. The generic name is
given in honor of Esculapius, the god of medicine. The root
is bitter when dry, and easily powdered. Its dose is fifteen
grains. The decoction in water is taken by the wine glass,
MEDICAL PLANTS.
183
BUTTERFLY WEED.
and a still stronger one by the tablespoon. It is given in
pleurisy, last stages of inflammation of the chest, catarrh, and
other diseases where it is desirable to excite profuse perspira-
tion.
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
IN the gardens of the East, Flora receives the homage due
for her widely scattered and various gifts. Oh flowers ! flowers '
we may well think them the " alphabet of the angels." But
how coldly do we look on them ; how often are we regardless
of their charms here ; while in other lands they almost sub-
serve the use of writing, expressing by a blossom, joy, grief,
hope, despair, devotion, piety, and almost every sentiment that
fills the mind.
In Eastern lands they talk in flowers,
And they tell in a garland their loves and cares ;
Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers,
On its leaves a mystic language bears.
The Rose is the sign of joy and love,
Young blushing love in its earliest dawn ;
And the mildness that suits the gentle dove
From the Myrtle's snowy flower is drawn. *
Innocence dwells in the Lily's bell,
Pure as a heart in its native heaven ;
Fames bright star, and glory's swell,
By the glossy leaf of the bay are given.
The silent, soft, and humble heart,
In the Violet's hidden sweetness breathes;
And the tender sonl, that cannot part
A twine of evergreen fondly wreathes.
The Cypress that darkly shades the grave,
Is sorrow that mourns its bitter lot;
And faith, that a thousand ills can brave,
Speaks in thy blue leaves Forget Me Not.
Then gather a wreath from the garden bower?,
And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers.
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
185
ACACIA,
Acacia Rose,
Agnus Castus,
Agrimony,
Aloe,
Almond Tree,
Almond Laurel.
Amaranth.
Amaryllis,
American Cowslip,
Anemone, Field,
Garden,
Angelica,
Apple Blossom,
A Rose Leaf,
Arum, or Wake Ro-
bin,
Ash,
Asphodel,
Platonic love.
Elegance.
Coldness. To live without
love.
Thankfulness.
Bitterness.
Indiscretion.
Perfidy.
Immortality.
Haughtiness, Pride.
You are my divinity.
Sickness.
Forsaken.
Inspiration.
Preference.
I never importune.
.
Ardour.
Grandeur.
My regrets follow you to
the grave.
Balm Gentle,
Balm of Gilead.
Balsam,
Pleasantry.
Healing.
Impatience.
186 FLORAL DICTIONARY.
Barberry, Sharpness.
Basil, Hatred.
Bear's Breech, Arts (the)
Beech, Prosperity.
Bee-Ophrys, or Or-
chis. Error.
Bilberry. Treachery.
Bindweed, Humility,
Black Thorn, Difficulty,
Bladder-Nut Tree, Frivolous Amusement.
Blue Bottle Centaury,Delicacy.
Borage, Bluntness.
Box, Stoicism.
Bramble, Envy.
Broken Straw, Dissension, Rupture.
Broom, Neatness.
Buckbean, Calm Repose.
Burdock, Importunity.
Buttercups., Ingratitude.
Candy Tuft, Indifference,
Canterbury Bell,Blue Constancy.
Carnation, Yellow, Disdain.
Catchfly, Snare,
Cherry Tree, Good Education.
Chesnut Tree, Do me justice.
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
IS?
China Aster, Variety.
China, or Indian Pink, Aversion.
Cinquefoil,
Clematis,
Clove Pink,
Colt's-foot,
Columbine,
Coriander,
Corn.
Cornelian Cherry
Tree.
Crown Imperial,
Cypress,
Beloved Daughter.
Artifice,
Dignity.
Justice shall be done you.
Folly.
Hidden Merit
Riches.
Durability.
Majesty.
Mourning
and Mary gold. Despair.
Daisy,
- . Garden,
, White,
Daffodil
Dandelion,
Dead Leaves.
Dittany of Crete,
Dodder,
Ebony^
Eglantine, or Sweet
Innocence,
I partake your sentiments,
I will think of it.
Delusive Hope.
Oracle.
Sadness.
Birth.
Baseness
Blackness.
Briar,
Poetry.
ih t
188 FLORAL DICTIONARY.
Enchanter's Night-
shade, Fascination.
.
Fennel, Strength.
Fern, Sincerity.
, Flowering, Reverie.
Fir Tree, Elevation.
Flax I feel your kindness.
Flora's Bell, You are without pretension.
Fraxinella, Fire.
Geranium,Sorrowful, Melancholy spirit.
Gillyflower, Lasting beauty.
Goose-foot, Goodness.
Grass, Utility.
Hawthorn, Hope.
Hazel, Reconciliation.
Heart's Ease, or Pansy,Think of me.
Heath, Solitude.
Hepatica, or Noble
Liverwort, Confidence.
Holly, Foresight.
Hollyhock, Fruitfulness.
Honeysuckle, Bonds of love.
Hop, Injustice.
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
189
Hornbeam,
Horse Chestnut,
Hydrangea,
Hyacinth,
Ice Plant,
Indian Jasmine,
Iris,
, German,
Ivy,
Ornament.
Luxury.
You are cold.
Game, Play.
Your looks freeze me.
I attach myself to You.
Message.
Flame.
Friendship.
Jessamine, or Jasmine, Amiability.
Jonquille,
Juniper,
Larch,
Laurel,
Laurustine,
Lilac,
, White,
Lily, White,
Lily of the Valley,
Linden Tree,
London Pride,
Lucern,
Madder,
Desire.
Asylum, Protection.
Boldness.
Glory.
I die if neglected.
First emotion of Love.
Youth.
Purity and Modesty.
Return of Happiness.
Conjugal Love.
Frivolity.
Life.
Calumny.
190
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
Maiden Hair,
Mallow,
Manchineel Tree
Mandrake,
Maple,
Marvel of Peru,
Madwort, Rock,
Marygold,
Discretion, Secrecy.
Mild or Sweet Disposition.
Falsehood.
Rarity.
Reserve.
Timidity.
Tranquillity.
Inquietude.
, Small Cape, Presage.
Meadow Saffron, My best days are past.
Meadow Sweet, Uselessness.
Mezereon, Desire to please.
Michaelmas Daisy, Afterthought.
Mignonette, Your qualities surpass your
charms.
Misseltoe, I surmount all difficulties.
Moonwort, Forgetfulness.
Moschatel, Weakness.
Moss Rose, Pleasure without alloy.
Moss, Tuft of, Maternal Love.
Motherwort, Secret Love.
Moving Plant, Agitation.
Mulberry Tree, Black, I will not survive You.
Mulberry, White, Wisdom.
Mushroom, Suspicion.
Musk Rose, Capricious beauty.
FLORAL DICTIONARY. 191
Myrobalan, Privation.
Myrtle, Love.
Myosotis, or Mouse
Ear, Forget-me-not.
Nettle, Cruelty.
Night Convolvulus, Night.
Nightshade, Bitter
Sweet, Truth.
Nosegay, Gallantry.
Oak, Hospitality.
Olive Branches, Peace.
Orange Flower, Chastity.
Orange Tree, Generosity.
Parsley, Entertainment, Feasting.
Pasque Flower, You are without pretension.
Periwinkle, Sweet Remembrances.
Peruvian Heliotrope, I love you, Infatuation.
Pheasant's Eye, Sorrowful Remembrances.
Pimpernel, Assignation.
Pine Apple, You are perfect.
Pink, Lively and Pure Affection.
Plane Tree, Genius.
Plum Tree, Keep your promises.
192
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
Plum Tree, Wild,
Poet's Narcissus,
Potato,
Poplar, Black,
"-" . VV IllLC.
Poppy,
, White,
Primrose,
, Evening,
Privet,
Provins Rose,
Pyramidal Bell
Flower,
Independence.
Egotism.
Beneficence.
Courage.
Time.
Consolation of sleep
Sleep of the Heart.
Early Youth.
Inconstancy.
Prohibition.
Graces.
Gratitude.
Quaking Grass. Agitation.
Ranunculus,
Red Shanks.
Red Valerian,
Reeds, .
Rest Harrow.
Rose,
-- , Monthly,
White,
You are radiant with charms.
Patience.
Accommodating Disposition.
Music.
Obstacle.
Beauty.
Beauty ever new.
Simplicity.
Silence.
, Hundred leaved, Graces.
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
193
Rosebud, Young Girl.
, White, The heart that knows not
love.
Rosemary, Your presence revives me.
Rose-scented Gera-
nium, Preference.
Roses, a Garland of Reward of virtue.
Rush, Docility.
Saffron,
Sage,
Scarlet Ipomaea,
Sensitive Plant,
Serpentine Cactus,
Sendee Tree,
Shaking Saintfoin.
Snap Dragon,
Snowdrop,
Spider Ophrys,
Spiderwort,
Spindle Tree.
Stock, Ten-week,
Stramonium, Com
mon,
Strawberry,
17
Excess is dangerous.
Esteem.
I attach myself to You.
Timidity.
Horror.
Prudence.
Agitation.
Presumption.
Consolation.
Skill.
Transient Happiness.
Your Image is engraven on
my Heart.
Promptitude.
Disguise.
Perfect Excellence.
194
FLORAL DICTIONARY.
Sun flower, False Riches.
Sweet-briar, or Eg-
latine, Poetry.
S weet-scented T us-
silage, Justice shall be done you.
Sweet Sultan. Felicity.
Sweet William, Finesse.
Teasle,
Thistle,
Thrift,
Thorn Apple,
Thyme,
Tremella,
Truffle.
Trumpet Flower,
Tulip,
Misanthrophy.
Austerity.
Sympathy.
Deceitful Charms.
Activity.
Resistance.
Surprise.
Separation.
Declaration of Love.
Venus' Looking-glass, Flattery.
Vervain, Enchantment.
Vine, . Intoxication.
Violet, Blue, Modesty.
, White, Candour.
Wake Robin,
Wall-flower,
Ardour.
Fidelity in Adversity.
FLORAL DICTIONARY. 195
Water Lily, Eloquence.
Weeping Willow, Melancholy.
Wild, or Dog Rose, Simplicity.
Willow Herb, Pretension.
Wood Sorrel, Joy.
Wormwood, Absence.
Yarrow, War.
Yellow Day Lily, Coquetry.
Yellow Rose, Infidelity.
Yew, Sorrow.
196 GLOSSARY.
&'^if.
GLOSSARY
OF TECHNICAL TERMS.
ACEROSE. Needle-shaped .
ANCEPS. Two-edged.
ACINUS. 'A small berry. [bark.
ACULEUS. A prickle or sharp point, from the
ACUMINATE. Having an open or awl-shaped
point.
ADNATE. Growing together.
AGGREGATE. Gathered together in fasicles or
bundles.
ALA. A wing attached to seeds, formed of mem-
brane.
ANGULAR. Formed of, or furnished with angles.
APETALOUS. Plants whose floral development is
without petals, are said to be apetalous.
APPRESSED. When the limb of a leaf is pressed
close upon the stem, or when hairs are laid
flat upon the surface of a plant, they are
said to be appressed.
A RTICUL ATED. Jointed .
GLOSSARY. 197
APHYLLOUS. Destitute of leaves.
ASSURGENT. Rising perpendicularly without
artificial support.
AWNS. The beards of barley are so called.
AXILLARY. Placed in the axilla (arm-pit). A
term by which the angle formed by the
union of the leaf and the stem is designated.
BACCA. A berry. [cleft.
BIFID. Cut half in two from the summit ; two-
BINATE. With two leaflets.
BIPINNATE. Double rows of leaflets.
BIPINNATIFID. Twice pinnatifid.
BITERNATE. Cut into three, twice over.
BRACTE.E. Small leaves placed between the pro-
per leaves of the plant and the flower-cup.
BUDS. Coverings of the germ.
CADUCOUS. Falling off early.
CAPITATE. Growing in the form of a head.
CATKIN. Term used to designate the inflores-
cence of amentaceous plants, as in the hazel.
CAULINE. Developed on the stem.
CERNUOUS. When* a plant grows in a nodding,
drooping, or pendulous manner, it is termed
cernuous.
CILIATED. Eye-lash haired ; bordered with soft
parallel hairs.
198 GLOSSARY.
COLORED. Differing from green, which from its
being so common a color is counted color-
less in botany.
COMOSE. Term applied to a flower shoot which
is terminated by barren bractea3.
COMPOUND. Several things in one. A compound
umbel is formed of several single umbels ;
the crysanthemum is a compound flower,
being formed of many little flowers or florets.
CONCAVE. Hollowed.
CONE. A particular kind of compound fruit,
such as that of the pine tribe.
CONNATE. Situated opposite each other, and
joined at the base.
CONNIVENT. Converging.
CORDATE. Heart-shaped ; according to the vul-
gar notion of a heart.
CORYMB. A bunch of flowers where the foot-
stalks proceed from different parts of the prin-
cipal axis, but all attain the same height.
CORYMBOSE. Formed or arranged after the man-
ner of a corymb.
CREN^E. Notches, or round teeth, bordering a
leaf or the petals of a flower.
CAMPANULATE. Bell-shaped.
CAPSULE. A seed box.
GLOSSARY. 199
CRENATE. Notched ; when the teeth are
rounded, and not directed towards either
end of the leaf.
CRENULATE. Filled with notches.
CULM. The stem of grasses.
CUNEATE. Wedge-shaped ; broad and abrupt
at the summit, and tapering down to the
base.
CYMBIFORM. Having the form of a boat.
CYME. A mode of flowering somewhat like a
flattened panicle.
DECIDUOUS. Falling off. Trees shedding their
leaves, and the leaves shed annually, are said
to be deciduous.
DECOMPOUND. Term applied to a leaf when
it is twice pinnated ; and to a panicle when
its branches are also panicled.
DECUMBENT. Lying down.
DECURRENT. When leaves run down the
stem to a point considerably below the place
where they diverge from it.
DEFLEXED. Folded downwards.
DENTICULATED. Being finely toothed.
DEPRESSED. Pressed downwards.
DICHOTOMOUS. A stem that ramifies in pairs.
200 GLOSSARY.
DIGITATE. Having the form of an open hand.
DISTICHOUS. Leaves or flowers placed in two
opposite rows are so termed.
DORSAL. Belonging to the back.
DRUPE. A fruit enclosing a stone or nut.
EGLANDULOSE. Without glands.
EGRET. The hairy crowns of some seeds, as
dandelion.
ELLIPTIC. Nearly oval, but of equal breadth
at each end.
ELLIPTIC-LANCEOLATE. A form between an
ellipsis and a lance-shape.
EMARGINATE. Being slightly notched at the
end, as the box leaf.
ENS i FORM. Having the form of a sword with
a straight blade,
EXSERTED. Projecting out of the flower or
sheath.
FALCATE. Shaped like a sickle, long and
crooked.
FASCICLES. When leaves or flowers grow more
than two together they are said to be fasci-
culated, or in fascicles.
FASTIGATE. Tapering to a narrow point, like
a pyramid.
FILIFORM. Long and simple, like a thread.
(i LOSS All Y. 201
PLEXUOSE. Having a bent or wavy direction.
FLORETS. Little flowers. A term chiefly ap-
plied to those which were formerly called
compound flowers.
Fuscous. Of a blackish brown color.
FUSIFORM. Radish or carrot-shaped.
GIBBOUS. Swelled out commonly on one side.
GLABROUS. Smooth.
GLANDULOSE. Having small glands on the
surface.
GLAUCOUS. Smooth, of a sea-green color ; as
the leaf of the holly, (fee.
GLOBOSE. Round or spherical, like the orange.
GLUME. A part of the floral envelopes of grass.
HASTATE. Formed like the head of an ancient
halbert.
HEPATIC. Liver shaped.
HERBACEOUS. Plants whose stems perish annu-
ally with the fall of the leaf
HIRSUTE. Rough with hairs.
HISPID. When the spines on the surface of a
leaf are not very visible to the naked eye.
HOARY. Covered over with white down.
18
202 GLOSSARY.
HYPOCRATERIFORM. Salver shaped ; a tube
expanded into a flat border.
IMBRICATE.--- -When leaves are laid one over
another, like tiles on a roof, they are said to
be imbricated.
INCURVED. Folding inwards.
INFUNDIBULIFORMIS. Funnel form.
INVOLUCRE.--- Where the bracteae, or floral leaves
are set in a whorl.
IN VOLUTE. --Term applied to leaves when rolled
inward.
JAGGED. Divided irregularly in many parts.
JUGUAN. A yoke, growing in pairs.
LAMELLAE. Term applied to the plates which
form the gills of the mushroom ; plates.
LANCEOLATE. Lance or spear-shaped, as in
tulipa sylvestris.
LATERAL. On one side.
LEAFLET. A partial or little leaf, part of a com-
pound leaf ; leaves are always called com-
pound when they consist of more than one
leaf on a stalk. Leaf, is an expansion of
the fibres of the bark for the purpose of ex-
posing a great quantity of green matter,
which seems necessary to its functions in
respiration; when the stem is green less
GLOSSARY. 203
leaves are required, sometimes from that
cause, as in the cactus, none at all. It is
divided into three parts the skeleton or
framework being the expanded petiole, the
branches of which form ribs, to the different
modes of which ramification are owing the
various forms of leaves, the pulpy portion
holding the green matter, and the cuticle,
or skin, that covers all.
LEGUME. A pod ; applied to the fruit of legu-
minous plants, such as the pea, &c.
LIGNEOUS. Plants whose stems become gra-
dually less herbaceous, and of a woody
texture, and which survive more than
three years the annual fall of the leaf,
or which retain their leaves in winter as
well as summer.
LINEAR. Narrow, with parallel sides, as in most
grasses.
LUNATE. Crescent-shaped, like a half-moon.
LYRATE. Lyre-shaped : cut into many trans-
x verse segments, becoming larger towards
the extremity of the leaf, which is rounded.
LABIATE. Resembling lips.
MARESCENT. Withering.
204 GLOSSARY.
MEMBRANOUS. In texture like a membrane, soft
and supple.
MULTIFID. Cut into three, four, five, or more,
narrow divisions.
MUCRONATE. Sharply pointed.
MURICATED. Covered with short sharp points.
NECTARY. Honey cup.
NATANT. Floating.
NERVES Parallel veins on leaves.
NUTANT. Nodding.
OVAL. Having the figure of an ellipse.
OVARY. The portion of the pistil which contains
the ovules or germs of seeds.
OVATE. Of the shape of an egg cut lengthwise.
OBOVATE. Ovate reversed.
PALEACEOUS. Chaffy.
PALMATED. Cut into oblong segments, so as to
resemble a hand.
PANDURIFORM. Fiddle-shaped ; oblong, broad at
the extremities, and contracted in the centre.
PANICLE. A bunch of flowers, composed of nu-
merous branches of different lengths, each
bearing a flower.
PECTINATE. Like the teeth of a comb.
PELTATE. Stalk fastened in the middle.
PERIANTH. An inner calyx, immediately sur-
rounding the flower.
^
GLOSSARY.
205
PAPPUS. The down of seed, to waft it away.
PEDICEL. The footstalk which supports a single
flower.
PEDUNCLE. The common flowerstalk, developed
in the axil of a non-radical leaf, or leaf which
is borne on the stem and not on the root.
PERICARP. The vessel which contains the seed.
PERSISTENT. Term applied to parts of plants
which remain, while contiguous parts decay.
PETIOLATE. Term applied to leaves supported
on footstalks.
PETIOLE. The footstalk of a leaf.
PINNAE. The segments of a pinnated leaf.
PINNATE. Term applied to a leaf when cut into
many parallel segments, like the rose.
PLICATE. Folded like a fan, or plaited.
POME. A pulpy fruit, containing a capsule, as
the apple and pear.
PROCUMBENT. Branches spreading on the sur-
face of the ground if not artificially raised
and supported.
PUBESCENT. Covered with soft silky hairs.
PUNGENT. Stinging or pricking.
PREMORSE. Abruptly bitten off.
PERFOLIATE. Stalk running through the leaf.
PAPILIONACEOUS. Butterfly-shaped.
206 GLOSSARY.
QUADRANGULAR. Having four corners or
angles.
QUATERNATE. Four together.
RACEMES. When flowers are arranged round
a filiform simple axis, each particular
flower being stalked, they are said to be in
racemes.
RADIANT, or RADIATE. A flower is said to be
radiant when, in a cluster of florets, those
of the circumference, or ray, are long and
spreading, and unlike those of the disk.
RADICAL. A term applied to leaves proceeding
immediately from the root, as in the daisy.
RECURVED. Folded backward.
RETICULATED. Having the appearance of net
work.
RETUSE. Abruptly blunt at the end.
RUGOSE. Rough, or coarsely wrinkled.
RUNG i NATE. Having large teeth pointed back-
ward, as in the Dandelion.
SAGITTATE. Shaped like an arrow-head ;
triangular, very much hollowed out at the
base.
GLOSSARY. 207
SCABROUS. Rough to the touch, opposed to
glabrous.
SCALES. Any small developments resembling
miuute leaves ; also, the leaves of the in-
volucrum of compound flowers.
SCAPE. A stem rising from the root, and bear-
ing nothing but flowers, like the tulip.
SEGMENTS. Portions of anything.
SERICEOUS. Having a surface like that of vel-
vet to the touch.
SERRATED. Edged with sharp teeth, like those
of a saw.
SESSILE. Said of leaves seated on the stem,
without footstalks.
SET ACEous.--Bea ring some resemblance to the
form of a bristle.
SINUATE. Undulating, or wavy.
SPADIX. Flower stalk developed in a spatha,
or sheath.
SPATHA. A simple floral leaf, enclosing the
whole inflorescence.
SPATULATE. Having the form of a spatula ; a
kind of knife, almost spoon-shaped, but flat.
SPIKE. Flowers so called, seated upon a
stalk, as wheat.
SECUND. Hanging one way.
208 GLOSSARY.
SPINOUS. Pull of prickles. ..
STIPE. The stem of a fern or fungus.
STIPUL.E. Two small leaves, placed usually at
the base of the floral leaf, and on opposite
sides of the branch.
STRIDE. Small streaks, channels or furrows.
STRIATED. When the channels in leaves are
perceptible to the touch, but invisible to the
eye.
SUBULATE. Very narrow at the base, and in-
sensibly verging to a point at the summit,
as the juniper leaf.
SUPRA-DECOMPOUND. Doubly decompounded.
TENDRIL. The thread-like appendage to climb-
ing plants, by which they support them
selves and twine around other objects.
TERMINAL. Ending, or at the top.
TERNATE. Consisting of three leaflets.
THYRSE. A kind of dense panicle, like that of
the lilac.
TOMENTOSE. Downy, covered with fine mat-
ted hair.
TOOTHED. Cut so as to resemble teeth.
TRIFID. Cut into three.
TRUNCATE. Having the end abruptly cut off.
TRIFINNATE. Triple rows of leaflets.
GLOSSARY. 209
TUMID. Swelling.
THORN. An imperfect branch.
TUBEROUS. Knobbed.
UMBELS. The round tuft of flowers produced
by the carrot, &c.
UNARMED. Opposed to spinous ; free from
prickles.
UNGUIS.- A claw.
UNILATERAL. When the leaves are all turned
one way, and are all on one side.
URCEOLATE. Pitcher-shaped.
VOLVA. Wrapper ; belonging to mushrooms.
VENTRICOSE. Inflated.
VERRUCOSE. Warty, covered with little knobs.
VILLOUS. Closely covered with long loose hairs.
so as almost to hide the surface.
VISCID. Adhesive, clammy.
WHORLS. Where any parts are set round an
axis in the same plane.
21 () ILLUSTRATIONS.
"
ILLUSTRATIONS.
ANALYSIS OF THE CA.KNAT1ON PINK.
tt
ILLUSTRATIONS.
COTYLEDONS OF THE BEAN, WITH ITS GERMINATION.
I
IK>ff3<
FIG. \. FIG. 2.
i Fig. 1. a a shows the cotyledons or cavities for the storing of food for the support of
the embryo, b and e. " i
Fig. 2. Embryo germinating: a running into the ground to become a root; 6 running up
to form a stem;,c tle tnbe which supplies nutriment from the cotyledons until both roots
and leaves are ready to work.
THE SEXUAL SYSTEM, AS FOUND IN THE WORKS OF L1NNJEUS.
* m
CLASSES.
n
in.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VII.
X.
f
XL
IX.
XII.
XIIL XIV. XV.
. - ;
"
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAPILIONACEOUS
214
ILLUSTUATiONS.
SP1K2 TUBE NECTARY OF NASTURTIUM. SABIATE.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
215
HEAD. PERIANTH.
NARCISSUS. \VHORT,.
216
ILLUSTRATIONS.
AXILLARY.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
217
TOOTHED. ACUMINATE.
PAPPUS.
19
218
ILLUSTRATIONS.
CAMPANULATE. PERSONATE. SALVER-SHAPED.
CLIMBING STEM.
CREEPING ROOT.
TUBEROUS ROOT.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
219
PERFOLIATK. CO.VNATUM. CLASPING.
A NCEPS. VOLVA.
INFUNDIBUMFORM13
CREEPING STfcM
220
ILLUSTRATIONS.
POUCH.
SQUARE
TRIANGULAR. CRENATED. RHOMBOID. TKIA.NGULAK
ILLUSTRATIONS.
221
FIBROUS ROOT
SPINDLE ROOT. BUDS.
UlllilCCLAK.
IMURICATED.
LYRATE.
222
ILLUSTRATIONS.
STIPULE. ARROW-SHAPED.
*
SERRATED. BINATK
ILLUSTRATIONS. 223
KtDNEYSHAPKD. TROWEL-SHAPED. MAPLK SEED.
TWINING STEM.
PECTINATE. LIOV TOOTHED. BIPINNATI.*
224
ILLUSTRATIONS.
i:r RIGHT.
LINEAR. WEDGE-SHAPED. PELTATE. HASTATE.
SPATULATE.
' P
PREMORSE ROOT.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
225
ACULEUS,
TR1PINNATK
ENDOGKN.
20
THORN.
ACEROSE LEAF.
226
ILLUSTRATIONS.
GKRAN1UM SEED. HASTATE.
FASCICLES.
LULBOUS ROOT.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF BOOKS
PUBL1SHKD BY
FOWLERS AND WELLS,
NO, 111 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK.
American Phrenological Journal and
Miscellany. Circulation, 20,000 copies. A year, - - $1 00
A Home for All ; or, a New, Cheap.
Convenient, and Superior Mode of Building, - - 50
Amativeness ; or, Evils and Remedies
of Excessive and Perverted Sexuality, with A-.lv ice, 12A
A Manual for Magnetizing with the
Magnetic Machine, fur the Treatment of Di- 50
Botany for all Classes ; Containing a
Floral Dictionary, with more than One Hundred Illustrations. 50
Combe's Lectures on Phrenology, By
George Combe. A complete <-onr.se. With Illustrations, 1 00
Constitution of Man, considered in Re-
lation to External Object-*. Revised and enlarged edition, 50
Combe's Physiology, applied to the Im-
provement of Mental and Physical Education,
Combe on Infancy; or, the Physiologi-
cal and Moral Management of Children. Illustrated, 50
Consumption, its Prevention and Cure,
by the Water Treatment. By Joel Shew, M.D.. - - 50
Chronic Diseases, especially the Nerv-
ous Diseases of Women. Dy D. Ro?ch. 25
Curiosities of Common Water, With
Additions by Joel Shew, M.D. From the 5th London edition, 25
Cholera ; its Causes, Prevention, and
Cure ; and all other Bowel Complaints, treated by Water, 25
Chemistry, Applied to Physiology, Ag-
riculture, and Commerce. By Professor LiebijC, ... 20
50
FOWLEHS AND WELLS' PUBLIC ATIONfc.
Chart, for Recording various Develop-
ments. Designed for Phrenologists, 6J
Defence of Phrenology, By Dr, An-
drew Boardman. A good work for skeptics and unbelievers, 50
Education Complete, Embracing Phy-
siology, Animal ami Mental, Self-Culture, and Memory, - - 2 00
Education, founded on the Nature of
Man. By Dr. Spurzheim. A scientific work, ... 50
Familiar Lessons on Phrenology, De-
*igned for tlm use of Children and Youth, - 50
Food and Diet i Containing an Analy-
sis of every kind of Koo.l :\n<] Drink. By Professor Pereira, - 50
Fascination, or the Philosophy of
Charming. < Magnetism.) Illustrating the Principles of Life, 40
Familiar Lessons on Astronomy : De-
signed for Children and Youth in Schools and Families, - - 40
Familiar Lessons on Physiology, De-
signed for the use of Childrt-n and Youth, - 25
Hereditary Descent : its Laws and
Facts applied to Human Improvement New edition, - 50
Human Rights, and their Political
Guaranties. By Judge Mnrlbut With Notes by George Combe 50
Hydropathy for the People, with Ob-
serrations on Drugs, Diet. Water, Air, Exercise, etc., 50
Love and Parentage : applied to the
Improvement of Offspring, - 25
Lectures on the Philosophy of Mesmer-
Ism and Clairvoyance, with Instruction in its Process, - 25
Moral and Intellectual Science, By
Combe, Stratum. Cox, Gregory, ami others. Illustrated, - 2 00
Maternity : or, the Bearing and
N ursing of Children, im-lu.liug Ft-m.tle Kdwation, - - 50
Memory and Intellectual Improvement :
Applied tcv Q olf KilMi":\tJOM :>.:>[ .I'lvoniiv in^trui tJon, i^O
FOWLLK8 AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS.
Mesmerism in India, A Superior
work, by the celebrated Dr. Esdaile, - .... 50
Marriage : its History and Philosophy,
with an Exposition of the Functions of Happy Marriages, - 37
Matrimony : or, Phrenology and Physi-
ology applied to the Selection of Companions for Life, - - 25
Natural Laws of Man, Physiologically
Considered. 3y Dr. Spurzheim. A good work,
Phrenology Proved, Illustrated, and Ap-
plied. Thirty-seventh edition, in muslin,
Physiology. Animal and Mental: Ap-
plied to Health of Bo4y and Power of Blind, -
Power of Kindness; Inculcating the
Christian Principles of Love over Physical Force, -
Popular Phrenology, exhibiting the
Phrenological Developments of more than fifty persons, -
Physiology of Digestion, considered
with Relation to the Principles of Dietetics. Illustrated.
Psychology, or the Science of the Soul,
With Illustrations of the Brain and Nervous System, ^f -
Phrenological Guide ; Designed for the
Use of Students of their own Characters, - ...
Phrenological Almanac : illustrated with
numerous Engravings. A handsome Annual, -
Religion, Natural and Revealed : or the
Natural Theology and Moral Bearings of Phrenology, -
Self-Culture and Perfection of Charac-
ter, including the Management of Youth, ..... 50
Symbolical Head and Phrenological
Chart, in Map Form, showing the Language of the Organs, -
25
1 00
50
25
25
25
25
Sober and Temperate Life : with Notes
and Illustrations by John Buri>
50
Self-Instructor in Phrenology and
I'ny-Mology Illustrate,! with One Hundred Eugravin^'s,
25
25
25
FOWLERS AMD WBftLH' PUBLICATIONS.
_ ^ , , :
Synopsis of Phrenology and Physiology ;
With Illustrations in Neurology - - - 12
Science of Swimming : giving the His-
tory of Swimming, and Instruction to Learners - - - 12J
The Parent's Guide, and Childbirth
made Easy. By Mrs. Hester Pendleton, - ... 50
Tobacco : its Effects on the Body and
Mind. The best work on the subject, - . - -Sp^feS
Teeth: their Structure, Disease, and
Management. By John Burdell, Dentist, 12
Temperance and Tight-Lacing ; found-
ed on the Laws of Life, . . 12
Vegetable Diet, as Sanctioned by Med-
ical Men, and Experience in All Ages, 50
Water-Cure Journal and Herald of Re-
forms. Devoted to Hydropathy. A Health Journal. - 1 00
Water-Cure Manual ; a Popular Work
on Hydropathy. By Joel Shew, M.D., 50
Water-Cure in Every Known Disease.
By J. H.ausse. Translated by Dr. Meeker, - . 50
Water-CureErrors of Physicians and
Others in the Application of. By J. H. Rausse. . 25
Water-CureExperience in, By Mrs,
M. S. Gove Nichols. With Instructions in Water Cure, - 25
Water-Cure for Women in Pregnancy
and Childbirth. Illustr;iu\l with numerous cases, - - 25
Water-Cure Almanac, containing much
important matter for the healthy and the unhealthy. Yearly. 6i
Water and Vegetable Diet. By Wm.
Lamb, M.D. From the London Edition, - - - 50
Woman : her Education and Influence.
With an Introduction by Mrs. Kirkland. Illustrated, - - 40
EITHER OF THESE WORKS may be ordered and received by retun of the
FIRBT MAIL, at a trifling expense for postage. Please address, post-paid
FOWLERS AND WELLS. '
131 Nassau et., New York.
U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES
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