SUPPLEMENT. 



THE FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 



I>v Charles Louts Pollard. 



CHAPTKK IlL 



6V^/.v.v Aiifjiosj>,riii((t'. — From ScVfir-jnnp^ to Tcq^e-graini. 



WVj have already discussed and explained the differences be- 

 tween the two classes of flowering plants known as Angios- 

 permae and (lymnospermae (see Supplement, page 4). The 

 Angiosperniae are divided into two general sections, each of which 

 may l)e easily recognized, and which are of such importance that their 

 names and characters should be memorized: 



1. Monocotyledons. Plants that produce 

 on germination a single seed-leaf or cotyledon. 

 Leaves for the most part with veins running 

 from base to apex, or from midrib to margin 

 in parallel series. Part of the flower nearly 

 always in threes or some multiple of three. 

 Wood of the stem with no annual rings or lay- 

 ers. Examples, palms, lilies, grasses, sedges. 

 (See Fig. 10.) 



2. Dicotyledons. Plants that produce 

 on germination usually two seed-leaves or co- 

 tyledons. Leaves with reticulated or netted 

 veins. Parts of the flower rarely in threes, 



mainly in or Hves fours, or some multiple of these numbers. Wood 

 of the stem with marked annual rings or layers. Examples, maples, 

 elms, buttercups, daisies, peas. (See Fig. 11.) 



The wreat mass of our northern veg-etation, including almost all 

 the native trees, belongs to the second class. The Monocotyledons 

 are the simplest and lowest of the flowering plants; this is proven not 

 only by their structure, but by the fact that in past geological time 



From 1 oulter's '■ I'lant Rebitions." 



Copyright, ]■<•)», hy D. Applefoii A Co, 



Fic. II). —A corn-stalk, 

 showing longitudinal and 

 cross-section, with the scat- 

 tered bundles. 



