Linnean System of Plants. 43S 



softness of satin, with the brightness and whiteness of silver; 

 others of this species are called Golden Proteas; one, more 

 especially, has a leaf of golden green edged with scarlet, and 

 appears, at some distance, like a flaming fire. 



We have but one genus of the second order, and that is a 

 doubtful native, containing only one species, Buffonz« tenui- 

 folia (Slender-leaved BufFonia). Sauvages gave this plant its ge- 

 neric name in honour of BufFon ; and it is believed that when 

 Linnaeus added the specific appellation, he alluded not only 

 to the slender leaves of the plant, but also to the slender claims 

 of the French naturalist to any botanical honours. Linnaeus 

 was fond of these allusions, and hence the conjecture may 

 have arisen, perhaps without foundation. 



Of the third order, Tetragynia, we have seven genera ; of 

 which number is the holly (/^lex ^quif51ium), a beautiful ever- 

 green, which we may look upon with pleasure, as asso- 

 ciated with the festivities of Christmas ; but which the poor 

 birds have little cause to delight in, since it furnishes the lime 

 by means of which they are made captive. An old holly tree 

 which has become smooth with age (for age deprives the leaves 

 of their spines) is a noble object, more especially when 

 adorned with its bright scarlet berries. There are many 

 foreign species of this genus. The leaves of the South Sea tea 

 tree (/^lex vomitoria) are made, by the natives of the South 

 Sea Islands, into a medicinal tea, which, at certain seasons of 

 the year, they drink to excess. 



We are now to consider the fifth class, Pentandria, which 

 includes nearly a sixth part of the vegetable world ; the first 

 two orders, in particular, are very extensive, comprehending 

 nearly the whole class, though it is divided into seven. 



Of the first order, Monogynia, the British Flora compre- 

 hends forty-one genera ; it is subdivided into several sections ; 

 the first of which consists of a natural family of plants, called' 

 Asperifoliae (harsh-leaved), and contains ten genera. 

 Their flowers are monopetalous (one-petaled), info- 

 rior, and have two or four seeds, which lie naked at 

 the bottom of the calyx. By inferior, we do not 

 mean in quality, as some young learners suppose, 

 but in situation. When the corolla or calyx en- 

 velopes the fruit, the flower is termed inferior, 

 being below the fruit; if the corolla or calyx sits 

 upon the top of the fruit {fg. 194.), it is called ^ 194 

 superior, being above the fruit. 



The flowers of this section are chiefly blue, varying to red, 

 sometimes in the selfsame blossom, and mostly pink in the 

 bud. They grow in clusters, which, when in bud, curl round 



