THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER 11 



We may now therefore explain the cliief subdivisions 

 of the plant kingdom. 



The higlier flowering plants are divided into two great 

 classes : — 



I. Monocotyledons, 

 II. Dicotyledons. 



The student should first determine to which of these 

 two classes any particular plant belongs. 



The Monocotyledons have their flower-parts arranged 

 in threes (or sixes), e.g. the Lily flower is made up of 

 3 sepals, 3 petals, 6 stamens, and 3 carpels. 



The Dicotyledons have flowers arranged in twos or 

 threes or fives, e.g. the Primrose is made up of 5 sepals, 

 5 petals, and 5 stamens. 



Having assigned a plant to one or other of these two 

 classes, a further necessary step is to ascertain the 

 Natural Order to which it belongs. If the plant be- 

 longs to tlu' Monocotyledons, reference nnist be. made 

 to Table I, page 12. If it, on the other hand, is a Di- 

 cotyledon, its Natural Order will be found in one or 

 other of Tables II, III, or lY, To ascertain which of 

 these three to look up, the petals must be examined. 



If absent, refer to Table II, page 12. 



If present and free, refer to Table III, page DC. 



If present and fused, refer to Table IV, page 151. 



