Ch. XX. 1 



CLASSES AND ORDERS. 



121 



Fig. 73. 



513. Fig. 73, at a, shows a flower 

 of the lilac ; the corolla is salver form, 

 having a flat four-parted border, spread- 

 ing from a tube. You might at first 

 suppose the lilac to consist of four pe- 

 tals ; but if you should, in a real flower, 

 attempt to separate them, you would 

 find the whole united, and that it is 

 monopetalous In flowers of one pe- 

 tal, the stamens are generally fasten- 

 ed to the corolla; where there are 

 several petals, the stamens are usually 

 attached to the receptacle. At b the 

 lilac is represented as if cut length- 

 wise, to show the two stamens stand* 

 ing opposite to each other, and attached to the corolla. 



514. The flowers of the lilac are crowded together in that 

 form of inflorescence which is called a thyrse. This flower, 

 although so common, is an exotic. There are two species, 

 which are frequently to be met with in this country ; the most 

 common is the vulgaris, which has broad heart-shaped leaves ; 

 thepersica, or Persian, has lanceolate leaves. The word lilac 

 is derived from the Persian, and signifies a flower. These plants 

 are shrubs, and distinguished by large showy thyrses of fragrant 

 purple or white flowers. \ > 



515. The Veronica, or* Speedwell, is found in America, 

 though there are here but a few species of it, compared to those 

 of Europe. It has a wheel-shaped corolla, deeply four-cleft, 

 with the lower part somewhat smaller than the others, as may 

 be seen at Fig. 73, c ; the two stamens and the pistil may be 

 seen in the picture. The beccabunga is one of the most com- 

 mon American species of this genus ; it is found on the bor- 

 ders of brooks and in ditches. The petals are blue, but very 

 soon turn black; yet although this plant does not make a hand- 

 some appearance in an herbarium, it is desirable to obtain it, 

 as there are so few specimens of this class and order. One 

 species of this genus, the alpina^ is common to the Highlands 

 of Scotland ; another species is found only upon the Che\ jot 

 Hills between England and Scotland. Various species of it 

 abound in Wales and other parts of Great. Britain. 



516. The Circcea is represented at Fig. 73, d; the calvx s 



513. What does Pig. 73 represent 1 



514. What farther is said of the lilac 7 



515. Describe the Veronica. 

 M6 Describe the Circaea. 



I] 



