268 OF THE NECTARY 



glandular kind. In the natural order of 

 Cruciform plants, composing the Linnaean 

 class Tetradynamia, these are generally four 

 green glands at the base of the Stamens. See 

 Dentaria, Engl. Bot. t. 309, Sisymbrium, 

 t. 525, and Brassica, t. 637- In Salix, 

 t. 1488, and Geranium, t. 322, 75, Sec.,. 

 similar glands are observable; whilst in 

 Pelargonium, the African Geranium, the 

 Nectary is a tube running down one side of 

 the flower-stalk. 



The elegant Parnassia, t. 82, of which we 

 are now acquainted with two new American 

 species, has a most elaborate apparatus called 

 by Linnaeus Nectaries, but which the cau- 

 tious Jussieu names Scales only. Linnaeus 

 usually called every supernumerary part of a 

 flower Nectary, from analogy only, though 

 he might not in every case be able to prove 

 that such parts produced honey. This is 

 convenient enough for botanical distinctions, 

 though perhaps not always right in physio- 

 logy ; yet there is nothing for which he has 

 been more severely and contemptuouslv cen- 

 sured. He was too wise to answer illiberal 

 criticism, or he might have required his ad- 



