In My Vicarage Garden 



stamens surrounding but lying under the ovaries 

 or ovary, and it is a large family containing more 

 than 500 species, and is remarkable for the abun- 

 dance of plants produced in almost every one of 

 the species, and every genus and every species of 

 the family is more or less poisonous to man ; every 

 individual in the family bears upon it a sure 

 signature that it is not good for food ; and that 

 every preparation made from it must be used with 

 caution. 



Another family is as clearly marked and as 

 easily recognised the great family of the Cruci- 

 ferae, with its four petals always arranged in the 

 form of a cross and no bracts, has over 1200 

 species, and it contains many of the plants most 

 useful for human food the turnip, radish, cabbage, 

 cress, seakale, mustard, and many others, all be- 

 long to this family; and we are not surprised to 

 find that the old herbalists easily recognised this 

 peculiar character, and that the old emblem-writers 

 seized upon it to enforce the lesson of " in cruce 

 satus." 



Another large and important family, equally 

 well-marked for good, and as easy to distinguish, 

 is the family of the Labiates always with square 

 stems, opposite leaves, and irregular flowers. No 

 family is more easily recognised, and as a further 

 help the aromatic scent of the plants will give 

 a sure sign, for throughout the whole family, 

 numbering 2600 species, I believe there is not 

 one species without this fine aromatic scent either 



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