(that is, flowers furnished either with stamina, or pistillum, or both), which will always prevent their being confounded with the highest tribes of Cellulares. Endógenes, or Monocotyledonous plants, are the first remove from Cellulares, and hold an intermediate rank between them and Erógenes or Dicotyledonous plants, in which vegetation acquires its highest form of deve lopement. They were formerly characterised by having a single cotyledon, but this circumstance is not only not absolute, but difficult of determination, except after minute analysis. The real difference in the seed of them and Dicotyledons is this, that in Monocotyledons there is only one cotyledon (fig. 3. s); or, if two, that 7, Transverse section of a monocotyledonous stem. 1 t, Section of a germinating embryo of a grass, to show the two r, Germination of a monocotyledonous seed. alternate cotyledons of unequal size; the back and front lobes 4, Section of ditto, to show the cotyledon remaining in the represent these, the middle lobe is the plumula. u, Stem and leaves of a monocotyledonous plant. testa. they are alternate with each other (), while in Dicotyledons they are always opposite, and more than one, sometimes several, as in Pinus (fig. 4. y). The physiological structure of the two classes is, however, that by which they are familiarly distinguished, and exhibits a beautiful proof of the harmony that exists between the great features of vegetation and their first principle, the seed from which they originate. In Endogenes, or Monocotyledons, there is no distinction between wood and bark (fig. 3. q); in Erógenes, or Dicotyledons, the wood and bark are distinctly separated (fig. 4. v). In Monocotyledons the wood and cellular tissue are mixed together without any distinct annual layers of the former being evident; in Dicotyledons the wood and cellular tissue have each their particular limits assigned them, a distinct layer of the former being annually deposited. In Monocotyledons there are no radiations from the medulla to the bark; in Dicotyledons the radiations are distinctly marked. In Monocotyledons there is generally no articulation between the leaves and the stem, while in Dicotyledons the leaves are always jointed with the stem, from which they fall off, leaving a scar behind. In Monocotyledons the veins of the leaf pass in parallel lines from the base to the apex, in Dicotyledons they diverge from the midrib towards the margin at various angles; in the former they are unbranched, the principal veins being connected by nearly simple secondary veins; in the latter they are much branched, ramifying in many directions, and giving the surface of the leaf a netted appearance. Such are the very obvious distinctions of the two great classes of phænogamous, or flowering, plants; and so far is it from there being any necessity for dissecting a seed in order to ascertain its structure, that this point is one of the most easy determination, and about which there cannot be in one case in five hundred the slightest cause of doubt or difficulty. It is almost impossible to see even a morsel of a plant without instantly being in possession of the knowledge of the structure of its seed, with respect to the cotyledons. Thus far have we advanced without a single obstacle to impede us. In all farther investigation no greater degree of knowledge or application is requisite than what ought to be possessed by every one who would be able to ascertain the genus of a plant. Many of the orders do not depend upon the minute characters of the seed so much as is believed; the structure of the ovarium and position of the ovula are aids which frequently make amends for the absence of fruit: and the nature of the foliage and inflorescence is a guide which, though sometimes treacherous, is often as faithful as the fructification itself. But as it is not intended to give the characters of the orders in this place, neither is it necessary to advance further in an explanation of the manner of determining them; upon that point each order would require a particular note. It may, how. ever, be confidently believed, that there are no greater impediments in the road to an acquaintance with the natural relations of plants than those that have been already removed; and that although neither the science NATURAL ARRANGEMENT. of botany, nor any other science, is to be taken by storm, yet that the fortress is sure to be reduced by silent and patient approach. It only remains to explain briefly upon what principles the names of the orders, suborders, &c., are formed. It is usual, in the school of Jussieu, to give a natural order a name derived from that of the genus which is understood to be the type of the order; as Ranunculace from Ranunculus, Rosacea from Rosa, and so on. But several deviations from this principle had been admitted by Jussieu, in favour of certain groups of plants, long known by other popular names, derived from certain peculiarities; such as Labiatae, because their corollas are labiate; Compósitæ, because their flowers are what is commonly called compound; Guttiferæ, on account of the resinous juice in which they abound, and some others. It would, perhaps, have been better, if uniformity in nomenclature had not thus been sacrificed to a dread of innovation; but it is now too late to remedy the evil, if such it be; nor would the advantage of alteration be at this day equivalent to the inconvenience. For the purpose of making it at once apparent, whether, in speaking of a group of plants, reference is had to an order or a suborder, it has of late years been thought convenient to terminate the name of the natural order in acea, and of the suborder in ea. Thus, in speaking of the whole mass of which Ranunculus is the representative, the word Ranunculaceae is used; but in speaking of the particular division, or suborder, of which Ranunculus forms a part, the term Ranuncule is employed. This manner of speaking is, however, at present, very partial in its application, and is of little importance, except in a few cases, of which Ranunculàcea is one of the most striking examples. In those orders, the titles of which, necessarily, from their grammatical construction, end in ea, as Orchidea, it is obviously inapplicable, without a total change in a great part of the nomenclature of natural orders, a measure which cannot be too much deprecated. It may, perhaps, be finally expected, that these remarks should be concluded by a recommendation of some work, from which those who are anxious to become fully acquainted with the principles and distinguishing characters of the Natural System of Botany, may derive the necessary information. Unfortunately, however, such a work has at present no existence. M. Decandolle's Théorie E'lémentaire de la Botanique explains the We underprinciples upon which the orders of plants are constituted; and M. de Jussieu's Génera Plantarum contains their characters, as determined in 1789: but the latter is now too obsolete to be very useful to the tyro. In our own language, the best work to consult is the Synopsis of the British Flora by Mr. Lindley. stand a more extensive work upon the subject is in preparation by the latter gentleman, by which this great desideratum in the science of Botany will be supplied. It may be expected to appear in the course of 1830, previously to which, however, the reader may consult Richard's New Elements of Botany, which contains translations of Jussieu's Natural Orders; or he may refer to the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles. In the list of genera under each order, in the following arrangement, the figures in the first column indicate the place, in the former part of the work, of the genus to which they are prefixed; those in the second column of figures show the number of hardy ligneous species and varieties, and those in the third, that of hardy herbaceous species and varieties, belonging to the genus which they follow. Where a genus includes native British species, a star (*) is prefixed to the column to which such species belong. FIRST GRAND DIVISION, VASCULARES. Genera 3040, Species 27729; Hot-house Species 6261; Green-house Species 7648; Hardy Ligneous Species 2512; Hardy Herbaceous Species 11308.4824 feet; 2334 feet; 22 feet. CLASS I. DICOTYLEDO'NEE, OR EXO'GENE (ero, outside, geinomai, to grow). SUBDIVISION I. DICHLAMY'DEE. This subdivision comprehends all the Dicotyledonous plants, that have both a calyx and corolla, by which they are distinguished from Monochlamýdeæ, in which the calyx only exists. It is in consequence of this high developement of the floral envelopes, that the greater part of handsome flowering trees and shrubs are found in Dichlamýdeæ, it rarely happening that those with a single floral covering have any brilliant coloring. SUBCLASS 1. THALAMIFLO`RE. Petals and Stamens inserted in the Receptacle. The insertion of the petals and stamens into the receptacle is the great character of this subclass, which, therefore, contains all the polyandrous plants of Linnæus, as the Calycifloræ contain the icosandrous genera of the same botanist. SECTION I. Carpella numerous, or Stamens opposite the Petals. 1. ORDER I. RANUNCULA CEE Genera 29, Species 632; Hot-house Species 8: Green-house Species 19; Hardy Ligneous Species 43; The greater part of the plants of this order are objects of interest with gardeners, containing, as it does, many of the most elegant or showy of the tribes of hardy plants. It is here that the graceful Clématis, the lowly Anemone, the glittering Ranunculus, and the gaudy Peony are found; differing, indeed, in external appear ance, but combined by all the essential characters of their fructification. It is remarkable, however, that the acrid and venomous properties of these plants are nearly as powerful as their beauty is great. They are all caustic, and in many of them the deleterious principle is in dangerous abundance. M. Decandolle remarks that its nature is extremely singular; it is so volatile, that, in most cases, simple drying in the air or infusion in water is sufficient to destroy it: it is neither acid nor alkaline; but its activity is increased by acids, honey, sugar, wine, or alcohol; and it is, in reality, destructible only by water. The crowfoots of our European pas. tures, and the Anemone trilobata and triternàta of those of South America, are well known poisons of cattle. Blistering plasters are made in Iceland of the leaves of Ranúnculus àcris. The foliage of some species of Clématis is supposed to afford the means employed by beggars of producing artificial ulcers. Some of the Aconites are diuretic, especially Napéllus and Cammarum. Delphinium Consólida is said to be an ingredient in those French cosmetics, which are so destructive of the surface of the skin. The Helleborus, famous in classical history for its drastic powers, and the Nigella, celebrated in ancient housewifery for its aromatic seeds, which were used for pepper before that article was discovered, are both comprehended in Ranunculacea. The range of this order, in a geographical point of view, is very extensive. A great number have been discovered in Europe, but they are so abundant in all parts of the world that an order can scarcely be found more universally and equally dispersed. It is singular, that, with the exception of the climbing species of Clématis and of Xanthorhiza, scarcely an instance occurs in Ranunculacea of a shrubby stem. All the perennial species may be propagated by division, and those which are woody by that mode or by layers or cuttings; the annuals and most of the perennials bear seeds freely. 0 1632 Naravèlia Dec. 931 Ceratocéphalus Moen. O 2 1392 Garidella Tou. 1 0 14 0 21 0 61 0 128 Genera 12, Species 29; Hot-house Species 11; Green-house Species 18; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; Fine plants, almost exclusively confined to tropical countries. Dillènia speciosa, a native of India, is a most noble tree with large yellow flowers, rivalling those of a Magnòlia. Hibbertia volubilis is a green-house plant well known for the beauty of its blossoms, and their powerfully fetid smell. The medical properties of this order are scarcely known; a decoction of the leaves or bark is astringent, and used for gargles; and the acid juice of the fruit of some of the species of Dillènia is used in India, mixed with water, as a pleasant beverage in fevers. The foliage of many of the species is extremely scabrous, whence the dried leaves are used for the same purposes as fish-skin and sand-paper in Europe; those of Trachytélla áspera are even employed in China for polishing works of metal. Most of the species strike readily by cuttings of the ripened wood in sand under a bell-glass. Genera 5, Species $7; Hot-house Species 3; Green-house Species 11; Hardy Ligneous Species 23; No one is ignorant of the grandeur of Magnolias, or of the delicious, though sometimes dangerous, fragrance of their blossoms; but it is less generally known, that, from their affinity to the trees that produce the famous Winter's bark and Melambo bark, they possess medicínal qualities of no common power. The bark of all of them is said to have a bitter flavor without any astringency, and combined with a hot aromatic principle. In the United States, the bark of Magnolia glaúca and Liriodendron tulipifera is employed for the same purposes as Jesuit's bark, and from the fruit of Magnòlia acuminata a tincture is prepared which has some reputation for removing attacks of rheumatismn. The fruit of Illicium anisàtum is the material which flavours the liqueur called Anisette de Bourdeaux. The Magnolias are exclusively inhabitants of Asia and America, no species having hitherto been found either in Europe or in Africa. The shoots of most of the species do not emit roots freely, and therefore they are generally propagated by layers, grafting, inarching, and sometimes by seeds; two or three of the species by cuttings. Genera 9, Species 45; Hot-house Species 40; Green-house Species 1; Hardy Ligneous Species 4; The plants of this order are closely allied to Magnoliaceae, from which they are principally distinguished by the absence of stipula, and by the structure of their anthers and seeds. The latter consist of a hard mass of albumen, ruminated, as the botanists call it, that is to say, perforated by the substance of the seed.coat, in every direction. They are all trees or shrubs, and chiefly inhabitants of the hottest parts of the tropics, but a few have been discovered straggling into the temperature zones of America. The fruit of the Anna is in many species highly esteemed as an article for the dessert, especially that of the Cherimoyer, which has the reputation of being the finest fruit in the world, next to the mangosteen. The hard fruits of the species of Uvaria are highly aromatic; those of one of them furnish the Piper æthiopicum of the shops. The genus Asimina is the only one which contains any hardy species, and these are so delicate as to be seen very rarely in this country. In Brazil, the bark of Xylopia sericea is used for cordage; for which it is admirably adapted. Cuttings or layers. Genera 8, Species 29; Hot-house Species 20; Green-house Species 5; Hardy Ligneous Species 4; The order of Menispermàcer consists entirely of twining shrubs with minute flowers. They are extremely dissimilar in habit from the orders which are placed near them, and occupy their present station entirely on account of certain minute but important characters in their fructification. With the exception of Schizandra coccinea none of them are worth cultivating as plants of ornament. The berries of Lardizabala bitcinata are sold in the markets of Chile, under the name of Aguilboquil, Guilbogui, or Coguill-Vochi, according to different travellers. The bitter, diuretic, and aperient roots of Parcira brava are the produce of the Cissámpelos Parera; and the famous Columbo root, so much esteemed for its intense bitterness, and for its use in diarrhoea and dysentery, is the produce of the Cocculus palmatus. The poisonous drug called Cocculus indicus in the shops is the seed of a species of Cócculus, probably tuberosus. Several Brazilian species of Cócculus and Cissámpelos are said to possess powerful febrifugal properties. No species of Menispermaceae is found in Europe; they are chiefly natives of tropical America and Asia. Cuttings. Genera 7, Species 33; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Species 10; Hardy Ligneous Species 20; Hardy Herbaceous Species 3. 35 feet; 2 feet; 0 feet. With the exception of Bérberis this order does not contain any genus of much interest; most of the others are low, inconspicuous, herbaceous plants; Nandina is an elegant Japanese shrub. The Berberises are all shrubs of much beauty and interest, especially the species with pinnated leaves, which are sometimes called Mahonias. These are all inhabitants either of Europe, Asia, or North and South America; none have ever been seen in Africa or New South Wales. Many of the finest species from Chile and India yet remain to be introduced. The berries of the Berberises are acid and astringent; the latter quality is especially abundant in the stem and bark. Cuttings, layers, division, and seeds. Genera 2, Species 2; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Species 0; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; Little, interesting, herbaceous North American plants, nearly related on the one hand to Nymphæàceæ, and on the other to the herbaceous genera of Berberidea. Their juice is held to be purgative. Division. 1548 Podophyllum L. 0 1 | 1178 Jeffersonia Bart. HYDROPELTI’DEÆ 0 1 19. ORDER VIII. Genus 1, Species 1; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Species 1; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; This order differs from Nymphæaceæ chiefly in having a definite number of seeds. It consists of only two genera, each containing a single species. Both are little floating plants of tropical and northern America. Nothing is known of their properties. Division or offsets. Genera 4, Species 31; Hot-house Species 19; Green-house Species; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; Like the last, these are all floating plants, and, to gardeners, possessed of great interest, on account of the elegant form and various hues of their flowers. Three species are known as the lilies of our own streams and pouds, and the remainder occupy similar stations in other countries. Some of the Indian species of Nymphæ a are delightfully fragrant. The holy Cyamus, or Pythagorean bean of antiquity, is the produce of the Nelumbium, a stately aquatic, which abounds in all the hotter countries of the East, where its roots are frequently used as an article of food. The ditches, about Pekin and other Chinese cities, are literally choaked up with its abundance. The pericarpia or beans are oblong, hard, smooth bodies, and possess the power of vegetating after having been dried for even thirty years. The flowers and roots of the common white Nymphæ a have been long celebrated for their sedative and antiaphrodisiacal qualities, which are, however, now considered doubtful. In Sweden, in years of scarcity, the roots of Nuphar lutea are pounded into cakes along with the inner bark of Pinus sylvéstris. This order has been the cause of much difference among botanists, as to its true station in a natural classification, its structure being of so doubtful a character as to leave room for disputing whether it belongs to Dicotylédones or Monocotylédones. Upon this subject M. Decandolle has the following remarks:-" Gartner declares that the embryo is undivided, and therefore monocotyledonous. In 1802, I remarked in the Bulletin Philomathique that the embryo both of Nymphæ'a and Nuphar is enclosed in a peculiar integument, and that a dicotyledonous structure is apparent when that integument is removed; shortly after, M. Mirbel declared that the embryo of Nelumbium has two thick cotyledons; in 1806, M. Turpin gave an accurate description of the fruit of Nelumbium luteum, without however removing the doubts about the real structure of the embryo, and two years afterwards his colleague, M. Poiteau, described the seed and germination of the same plant, pointing out that the embryo consisted of two thick cotyledons enclosed within a stipular membrane, but destitute of radicula: this was subsequently confirmed by M. Mirbel after very minute anatomical examination; that observer compared the seed of Nelumbium to the seed of Amygdalus, and also to that of Piper and Sauràrus, and also demonstrated that the structure of the stem was analogous to that of exogenous or dicotyledonous plants. A very different opinion was shortly afterwards held by M. Correa de Serra, an observer of the highest order, who admitted indeed that Nymphæacea are exogenous, but contended that the parts which had been taken by previous observers for cotyledons were, in fact, a mere expansion of the radicle, and that cotyledons were as entirely absent in Nelumbium as in Cuscuta. In the meanwhile M. de Jussieu adhered to the old opinion, that Nymphæiceæ are monocotyledonous; in which he was supported by the late Professor Louis Claude Richard, a name for ever memorable in the annals of Carpology, who published a new view of their structure, in which he differed materially from all his predecessors; this botanist considered the stipulary membrane of Poiteau a simple cotyledon, and the cotyledons of that writer the hypoblástus, or body of the radicula; he also refused to admit any evidence derived from the anatomical structure of the stem. this conflict of opinions, I have determined to station Nymphæàceæ among Exógenes, for the following reasons: 1st, because the structure of their stem is that of Exogenes rather than of Endógenes; 2dly, because the two opposite bodies, enclosed within the little bag or stipulary membrane, described by Poiteau, appear to be undoubtedly cotyledons, which is confirmed by the presence of a plumula between them in Nelumbium; 3dly, because of the structure of their flower, which has a great affinity with that of Paònia, Magnòlia, and Papaver; 4thly, on account of the similarity between their fruit and stigma and that of Papaver; 5thly, because of their milky juice and convolute leaves, two characters which are not known to exist among Endogenes." Those who are interested in pursuing this curious discussion any farther, will find many remarks and ilustrative figures in the English edition of the Analyse du Fruit, published by Mr. Lindley in 1819. Seeds Kk and division. In 21. Tribe 1. NELUMBO NEE. 1613 Nelumbium J. 22. Tribe 2. Nymphæe E 0 07 0 #5 23. ORDER X. SARRACENIE Æ. Genus 1, Species 4; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Specics 4; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; Plants remarkable for the singular form of their leaves, which are tubular and hold water, and some species have lids or covers, which, it is alleged, shrink and close over the mouth of the tube in dry weather, so as to prevent the exhalation of the water. The order is chiefly distinguished from Papaveracea and Nympheiceæ in having a broad peltate leafy stigma. It consists only of one genus, containing six species, all inhabiting the swamps of North America. Division. 1555 Sarracenia L. SECTION II. Carpella solitary or connate; Placenta parietal. 24. ORDER XI. PAPAVERA CEÆ. Genera 12, Species 65; Hot-house Species 2; Green-house Species 1; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; These plants are better known for their medicinal properties than for their beauty. Some of them are the common pests of corn fields, and with grain have been disseminated over all the world. Sanguinària is a neat little American plant well known for its crimson juice, and the emetic purgative powers of its roots. The peculiar power of the poppy is, as is well known, narcotic; a property which pervades all the order, although in a less intense degree in all than in the officinal P. somniferum, from which exclusively the drug opium is obtained. The Mexicans use the expressed oil of the seeds of Argemòne mexicàna for polishing furniture. Division, seeds, or cuttings. Genera 6, Species 44; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Species 0; Hardy Ligneous Species 0; Hardy Herbaceous Species 44.0 feet; 13 ft.; 0 feet. Tender herbs, with finely cut leaves and annual stems, abounding in a watery juice; without any appear. ance of milkiness. They are reckoned slightly diaphoretic and aperient, but their medical properties are trifling. Formerly they were combined with Papaveraceæ, from which they are now universally distinguished. The greater part of them are natives of hedges or thickets in the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere; two are natives of the Cape of Good Hope. Many of the species are beautiful ornaments of the flower-garden. Division or seeds. 2 2051 Sarcocápnos Dec. 0 *22 0 1 2052 Fumària Tou. 26. ORDER XIII. CRUCIFERÆ (crur, a cross, fero, to bear; form of corolla). Genera 88, Species 761; Hot-house Species 0; Green-house Species 77; Hardy Ligneous Species 18; Hardy Herbaceous Species 666.6 ft.; 50 feet; 3 feet. The importance of this order to mankind, and the singular nature of its botanical characters, render it expedient to speak very fully upon it: in which the remarks of the learned M. Decandolle, who has paid Cruciferæ particular attention, will be chiefly followed. The order consists wholly of annual or perennial, often biennial, herbs, occasionally assuming a suffrutescent habit; then, however, never exceeding the height of three feet. The roots are either thick and perennial, or annual or biennial and slender, almost always perpendicular and undivided. The young roots are tipped with a little sheath, called the coleorhiza, which is produced by the extended ruptured coat of the epidermis when the rootlet first appears. This is a curious character, and deserves attention. The stems are round or somewhat angular, branched, and often, even in the annual species, indurated at the base. The branches proceed from the axilla of the leaves, but the uppermost ones are abortive in most cases. The racemes are always opposite to the leaves; sometimes the terminal branch is abortive, when the raceme appears to be terminal; but this is merely owing to that circumstance. The leaves are simple, generally radical or alternate, rarely opposite. The flowers are either white, yellow, or purple, or in a few Cape species bright blue. The fruit is called either a siliqua or silicula, the former being a linear pod containing many seeds, the latter a roundish pod containing one or very few seeds, whence this 5 order, which is the same as the Linnean class Tetradynamia, is divided by Linnæus into two parts, called Siliquòsæ and Siliculòsæ. In the seed, the radical and cotyledons are applied to each other in different ways, from which the suborders of M. Decandolle derive their characters. When the edge of the cotyledons is pressed closed to the radicula, so that a cross section would be as at fig. 5. a, the cotyledons are said to be accumbent, as in all Pleurorhize; when the side of the cotyledons is pressed to the radicula as at b, the former are called incumbent, as in Notorhizer. If the cotyledons are incum. bent, and at the same time half folded together or conduplicate, as at c, the suborder Orthoplocene is formed; when the cotyledons are incumbent and spirally twisted, so that a section would be as at d, they constitute the suborder Spirol bcæ; and finally, when the cotyledons are incumbent, and doubled twice in their length, as at c, we have Ba |