14* PREFACE. 
fewest words, and contrasted with other allied genera. Thus, 
suppose his specimen be a Dianthus (or Wild Pink), and that he 
has found out that it belongs to the Caryophyllee; turning to 
page 120, he sees by the “Zable” that there are six sub-orders, 
under one or other of which his plant will be placed. To ascer- 
tain the proper sub-order, he must carefully look at the charac- 
ters of each; and as the characters given are absolute, except — 
where the contrary is stated, failure in one character will exclude 
a genus from any sub-order. Of sub-order (1) Silenee, the first 
character is, “ calyx tubular ;” in all the other sub-orders, ex- 
cept (4) Mollugimee, we have “calyx 5-parted or 4—parted; 
consequently if his plant have a tubular, or a cleft (not parted) 
calyx, it must belong either to Silenew or to Molluginee. To — 
determine to which of these it belongs, he must compare it with 
the other characters given. If it have no petals, or if it have — 
numerous (more than 5) linear petals, or alternate, tufted or — 
whorled leaves, or stipules, it cannot belong to Silenew. These — 
are obvious characters that strike the eye ; but if still doubtful, 
let him cross-cut the ovary, and see whether it be “ wnilocular,” 
or 3-5-celled :” this character is absolute, and will determine his 
plant (supposed a Dianthus) to belong to Silenew. Under — 
Silene he has three genera contrasted ; and a glance at the base — 
of the calyx will tell him that there are bracts, and consequently 
that his plant must be a Dianthus. Having thus determined 
the genus, let him turn to page 122, and read the full generic 
character there given, and the remarks in small print under it ;— 
he will thus be satisfied that he is right in his use of the table, 
or will discover his error, if he have made one. Still supposing 
he has hold of a Dianthus, he now further wishes to ascertain 
which species it is. The nine species described are grouped 
under three sub-sections, thus :— 
* Stem simple, one flowered. (Sp. 1-2). 
** Stem paniculately branched. Petals entire or toothed (Sp. 3-6). 
“** Stems branched. Petals deeply digitate or pinnatifid (Sp. 7-9): 
These characters are so strongly contrasted, that no difficulty 
will be found in referring our Dianthus to one or other. If the 
stem be one-flowered, the plant must either be D. caspilosus 0 
D. scaber. To decide between these, observe the words which 
