'293 PRACTICAL BOTANV. 



The classes, orders, genera, and species, are arranged ac- 

 cording to the Linneean system, the only arrangement by 

 which the young botanist can find the names of the plants. 

 If any terms are used in the descriptions which the student 

 does not understand, he will find them explained in the 

 Glossary, page 465. 



In this synopsis the names of the classes and orders are 

 inserted without their corresponding numbers ; this might 

 perhaps be considered an omission, but would it not be an 

 imputation on the progress, of even the beginner, to hint that 

 he did not know by the names of the classes and orders their 

 corresponding numbers ? and, besides, the classes and orders, 

 with the numbers affixed, are illustrated by common Ameri- 

 can plants, at page 455. 



The beginner might, perhaps, at first sight, be perplexed 

 with the design of the numbers affixed to the genera and 

 species, but, on a moment's examination, he will find that 

 these numbers point to the names of the genera as they are, 

 successively described, the same number again indicating the 

 genera when the species are to be described. For example, 

 unJer the descriptions of the genera, page 299, number 64 is 

 the word Panicum then, at page 312, number 64, is Puni- 

 cum again where the species of this genus are described, 

 and so of all the other numbers, a few moments attention 

 only being required to become familiar with this arrange- 

 ment. These descriptions are severally shown by the words 

 genera and species, in the text, so that the student can at once 

 find the places where his specimen is described. 



To find the species and name. Suppose, then, when search- 

 ing the fields for specimens, we find a flower the name of 

 which we do not know. On examination^ we find that it 

 has six stamens and one style, and, therefore, that it belongs 

 to Class VI., Hexandria, and Order I., Monogynia. For 

 the description of this class and order see page 1 32. In some 

 flowers of this class and order there is a calyx ; in others 

 this part is wanting. Next look to the descriptions of the 

 genera in this class and order, and, supposing our specimen 

 is complete, that is, having a calyx and corolla, then the 

 first genus described is Leontice, page 344, number 157. 

 Description. Calyx, 6-leaved, caducus ; petals 6, unguiculate, 

 opposite the calyx ; nectaries 5, inserted upon the claws of 

 the petals. Anther, adnate to the filaments; 2-celled ; cells 

 opening longitudinally. 



