3SQ SYNGENESIA-POLYGAMIA-^QUALIS. 



tufts ; or of variously proportioned bristly scales, all 

 mostly permanent, sometimes deciduous. Albumen none. 

 Cotyledons 2. Radicle inferior. 



The CichoracecB, Juss. 53, have ligulate/or^/s only, all per- 

 fect and fertile. The plants are herbaceous, milky, bit- 

 ter ; with alternate leaves^ and generally ^j^\o\\ Jioxmrs^ 

 open chiefly in a morning. CiriarocephalcB, Juss. 54, have 

 tuhn\?iv Jlorcts only, regular when perfect, but sometimes 

 neuter and irregular. Plants with generally prickly foliage, 

 and red or purple ^ow^r5. Corymhiferce^ Juss. SS^ have 

 tubular j^or^/s in the disk, which is usually yellow, some- 

 times white; and ligulate ones in the radius or circum- 

 ference, various in colour. Leaves in some opposite. Flo- 

 rets variable as to their degree of perfection. Qualities 

 various, but generally not noxious. 



For irregularities and exceptions, which are very few, and 

 chiefly concern exotic plants, see Grammar. 



Some recent botanists of the French school, rejecting the 

 idea of a compound Jlo^er, have given the name of invo- 

 lucrum to what has hitherto been denominated by Jus- 

 sieu, as well as Linnaeus, a common calyx. I cannot sub- 

 scribe to the theory, nor to the alteration founded upon 

 it ; nor can I deny these plants a nak'ed seed, any more 

 than the umbelliferous tribe, the grasses, or the Didyna- 

 mia Gymnospermia. The student may judge for himself ; 

 but if he enters prematurely into such speculations, he will 

 soon find himself bewildered in a labyrinth of doubts and 

 theories. It will be still worse if^ by neglecting the prac- 

 tical study of nature, and adopting innovations, which 

 are generally long-exploded fancies in a new form, he 

 throws away his clue, and follows blindfold, while he 

 imagines he is taking the lead. 



SYNGENESIA—POLYG.-^QUALIS. 



* Florets all ligidate ; an entirely natural order. 



Compositde^^^semijlosculosce. Linn. 49. Cichorace<s. Juss. 53. 

 See Grammar 120. 



