SYSTEM. 233 



and their first principles, the seed from which they original** 

 The fact that the kind of seed is indicated by the appear 

 ance of the leaf, is a still more obvious and forcible illustra- 

 tion of the same harmony. On holding a leaf between the 

 eye and the light, if it is found to be traversed with veins, 

 largest at the base, and communicating with each other in all 

 directions, like a net work, we may in general know that the 

 seed of the plant to which it belongs has two cotyledons. 

 Ex. Bean, Plum, Apple, Radish. 



We may remark, also, as another distinctive character of 

 the Exogenous species, that the leaves are articulated, or 

 jointed with the stem, so that when they fall off, a scar re- 

 mains on both parts. 



If another leaf be held between the eye and the light, and 

 its veins are found to run parallel with each other, from the 

 base to the apex, without distinct, or net like communications, 

 we may be sure that the seed from which it sprung had but 

 a single cotyledon. Ex. Lily, Calla, Indian Corn, Wheat, 

 and the grasses. 



The philosophical student will be delighted with these ex- 

 aminations, as not only offering one of the most obvious and 

 striking proofs of that harmony and design which exists in all 

 the departments of nature, but also as a means of acquiring 

 botanical knowledge. 



The leaves of Endogenous plants, in general, have no ar- 

 ticulation with their stems, like those which are reticulated. 

 Ex. Iris, Lily. 



The Endogenae are divided into two tribes. 



Tribe I. PETALOIDBJB. 



The plants of this tribe are characterized by having a 

 calyx or corolla, and sometimes both, in three, or six divi- 

 sions, or, if these parts are wanting, then the stamens and 

 pistils are naked. This division comprehends all the plants 

 with one cotyledon, except the Grasses and Sedges. Ex. 

 Alisma, (Water plantain,) Orchis, Iris, Lily. 



Tribe 2. GLUMACRK. 



Flowers destitute of a true calyx, or corolla, but enveloped 

 in scales or chaffy bracts. This tribe comprehends the 

 Grasses, properly so called, and the Sedge tribe, with which 

 in many respects they are nearly allied. 



The orders of this System are 272 in number, of which we 

 select the following as examples. 

 20 



