BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | I'll. XX Ui 



class; the name may be derived from the ancient Celtic, which 

 signifies green, the leaves of this plant being mostly perennial' 

 and evergreen ; some suppose it derived from laus, praise, as 

 it was used for croAvning victors or poets. 



One species, the Laurus nobilis, or noble laurel, is the Bay 

 of the ancient Romans. They considered it as a peculiar fa- 

 vourite of Jupiter the thunderer, and some wore it as a protection 

 against his thunderbolts. But this, you know, was a ridiculous t 

 superstition, like many other notions of the believers in the 

 Grecian mythology, since there is but one living and true God., 

 and to Him all the vegetable creation is equally dear ; He has 

 made plants for the support of man and beast, and for the beau- 

 tifying and refreshing of the earth on which we live that we 

 should love and cherish these His gifts, is undoubtedly agreea- 

 ble to him ; but if we deserve his frowns, no bough of a plant, 

 nor even the rocks or mountains, can shield us from the effects 

 of His anger But it was before men had learnt from the Bible 

 to worship one God only, that they thus fell into such foolish 

 errors with respect to the Powers in Heaven ; none in Christian 

 countries now adhere to the superstition of the ancients, although 

 there are some who are worse than the heathen, by refusing to be- 

 lieve, although God has revealed himself to men through His Son, 

 who sealed with his own blood the message deliA^r-,. to them. 



57fe. The Laurus is an important plant ; ior besides the 

 honour and superstitious regard bestowed upon it by the ancients, 

 it now affords us very important medicines, as well as some of 

 our most valuable spices. 



577. The Laurus Camphor is the camphor tree. Camphor 

 is obtained from its roots, leaves, and wood. 



The Laurus Cinamomum is the cinamon tree, whose inner 

 bark or liber furnishes this valuable spice. 



The Laurus sassafras is the American sassafras tree. 

 Children are fond of the bark of this plant, which is sometimes 

 improperly called -saxifax. 



578. The third order of the ninth class contains the genus 

 Rheum, or the Rhubarb. Fig. 80, at 6, represents a flower of 

 this genus. The Rheum palmatum furnishes the medicinal 

 rhubarb, which is obtained from its thick, yellow roots. The 

 Rheum tartaricum, or sour rhubarb, is much cultivated in gar- 

 dens, and is a useful plant for tarts, which are made from its 

 large, thick, and juicy petioles. 



576. Why is the Laurus an important plant 1 



577. Which are some of the species of the genus Laurus "? 



578. What plant is mentioned as belonging to the third order of 

 the ninth class ? 



