190 CLASSIFICATION. 



to be very different, are yet similar ; both are crowned with 

 the adhering calyx, and contain many seeds in a pericarp 

 formed by the swelling of the calyx. But in their real value 

 the fruit of the rose bears but a poor comparison with that of 

 the apple, although its blossom is far more splendid ; thus it 

 often is, that beauty seems destined to prove less valuable than 

 more humble qualities. 



In the class of plants we are now considering, is found a 

 very large and important family, called Leguminosa (legumi- 

 nous), from the nature of the fruit, which is of that kind called 

 a legume; the flowers of this family are also called pni>Ulona- 

 ceottSy from a Latin word papilio, a butterfly, on account of the 

 supposed resemblance between them and that insect ; they are 

 generally flowers with brilliant colouring, and of showy ap- 

 pearance. The sweet pea may be given as an example ; this 

 unites to delicacy of colour and beauty of form, a highly fra. 

 grant perfume. 



Fig. 100. 



Fig. 100 represents the sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratas) ; at 

 a, is the five toothed calyx ; at b, is the upper petal, called the 

 banner ; at c, are the wings, or two side petals ; at d, is the 

 keel, formed of two petals united by their edges ; at e, are the 

 ten stamens, nine united and one separate ; at jf t is the pistil, 

 the base of which, in process of time, becomes the pod or- le- 

 gume. 



The flowers belonging to the family Leguminosse, are so 

 peculiar in appearance as to make them easily recognized. 



Legununoiee. 



