IS 



SECTION I. 



PLANTS. 



1. By the term plant, we are to understand all the 

 various organized productions of the vegetable kingdom, 

 from the smallest to the largest, and from the plainest to 

 the most exquisite in beauty. 



We must, therefore, include every vegetable of whatever nature 

 or utility ; so that the noble oak of a hundred years, and the herb 

 that lives but for a day, are equally to be comprehended by this 

 general term. 



2. Plants are usually defined, as being organized 

 bodies, consisting of five principal parts, as the root, the 

 ft em, the leaf, the flower, and the seed or fruit. 



Though somo plants have not all these parts, they are neverthe- 

 less perfect in themselves, and as well adapted to perform the 

 various functions necessary to support vegetable life. 



3. According to the attachment or local situation of 

 plants, they are divided into four classes, as being either 

 terrestrial, aquatic, parasitical or trrial. 



If their roots are placed in the dry earth, as with most plants, 

 they are called terrestrial; if the plant grows in water, as the water- 

 lilly, aquatic; if on any other plant or substance, as the misletoeand 

 several fungi, parasitical; and if they are neither attached to the 

 ground nor to any other substitute, but suspended in the air, as the 

 Indian fig, they are denominated cerial. 



4. Plants are also subject to a specific application of 

 terms according to the time of their duration, and are 

 therefrom, either styled annuals, /Acnnials, or perennials. 



