256 CLASS SYNGENESIA. 



rescence clustered in a corymb ; as the life-ever-lasting, bone- 

 set, and aster. 



The plants of the class Syngenesia, are in general, easily 

 recognized at the first glance ; there is something about them 

 besides their compound character which distinguishes them from 

 all other plants. One botanist observes, that they have a kind 

 of " weed-like appearance, notwithstanding the beauty of their 

 colouring ; the stems and leaves are often rough, and they 

 seem to have been less completely reclaimed from their savage 

 state, than most other plants, with the exception of the Cryp- 

 togamous class."* 



Not many of the plants of this class are poisonous ; it is 

 remarked that milky plants are generally so, but those of this 

 class are exceptions. The lettuce, however, contains a nar- 

 cotic principle, and opium may be made from it. The dande- 

 lion, the eupatorium, the chamomile, and wormwood, with 

 many other plants of this class are valued for medicinal 

 properties. 



The Syngenesious plants are particularly abundant in our 

 own country, and you will never find difficulty in procuring 

 specimens. If you commence botanical studies with the flow, 

 era of spring, nature gradually presents you with those that are 

 more difficult to investigate. This class, it has been before re- 

 marked, are chiefly in blossom in the latter part of the season. 

 Being previously prepared by a knowledge of the general prin- 

 ciples of classification, and observations of plants, you will no 

 doubt derive pleasure from the study of the class Syngenesia ; 

 though were you to commence a course of botany with these 

 plants, you would feel as if thrown amidst a chaos of facts, 

 without any clue to their classification. 



* Barton. 



Plants of this class easily recognized Many are valued for medicinal pro- 

 pertiesFound in the latter part of the season. 



