16 



ANALYSIS OF THE PINK. 



The first step in analyzing a flo-wer, ^.-v^^"^'^ 



according to the Linnajan System, is to 

 find the class. We will, as we are now 

 beginning the analysis of plants, suppose 

 this flower to belong to one of the first 

 ten classes; we have to ascertain the 

 number of stamens, as by this circum- 

 stance tbese ten classes are arranged. 

 Because there are ten stamens (Fig. 4, 

 a), this flower is in the tenth class, the 

 name of which is, Decandria. The sec- 

 ond step is to find the order. In the 

 first twelve classes, the orders depend 

 on the number of pistils ; here are tivo 

 (Fig. 4, b), and the flower belongs to 

 the second order ; — the name of which 

 is Digynia. Sometimes there may be Fig. 4. 



but one ovary, and more than one style 



or sessile stigma. The number of styles, or sessile stigmas, determines the orders, 

 if the plant belong to one of the first twelve classes. In the pink, we have two 

 sessile stigmas, for though tliey resemble styles, they are found, throughout their 

 extent, to contain pollen; the style is therefore considered as wanting. The third 

 step is to ascertain the genics. Let the student turn to the description of the 

 " Genera of Plants" (page 48, Appendix), find Class 10th, Order 2d, and compare 

 the plant with each genus until the true one be found. 



'Hydrangea. — Calyx ^-toothed, superior ;^ 

 — this calyx is 5-toothed (see Fig. 5, a), but 

 it is not superior, that is, it is not above the 

 germ. 'Saxifraga. — Calyx b-jxcrted, half 

 superior' — but this calyx is not half supe- 

 rior,-or partly above the germ. 'SAPo>rA- 

 ria. — Calyx inferior, 1-leafed, tubidar, 5- 

 tooihed'—so far the description agrees with 

 the Pink ; next, * calyx tvithout scales' In 

 tliis particular, this flower, the calyx of 

 which has scales (Fig. 5, b), does not corre- 

 spond with the description. ' Dianthus. — 

 Calyx inferior, cylindrical, \-leafed, loith 4 

 pr 8 scales at the base ; petals 5 (Fig. 4, a), 

 with claws (long and slender at the base) ; — 

 capmle cylindrical, 1-celled, dehiscent' Fig. 

 6, at c, represents the ripe capsule of the 

 pink opening at the top by the parting of its 

 valves ; — at d, it appears cut transversely, 

 ehowing that it has but one cell, and many 

 seeds. This flower agreeing with every 

 particular in the description of the last- 

 mentioned genus, you may be certain that 

 Dianthus is the generic or family name. 

 But there are several species in this genus ; 

 we wish to know to which the Pink belongs ; 

 and this process constitutes a, fourth step in 



our analysis. We turn to the I)escr!ption of Species of Plants* (Appendix, page 98), 

 and look for Dianthus ; we compare the description of each species with our flower, 

 having the leaves and stem before us (Fig 5, A, B) ; ' Armeria,fioioers aggregate' 

 (in a thick cluster) ; this does not agree ; we must look further. ' Barbatus, flowers 

 fascicled' (crowded together), but tliis flower grows singly on each stalk. ' Cary- 

 ophyUttSffiowera solitary, scales of the calyx sub-rhomboid, very short, vetals crenate, 



* {^eo Desciiptiou of Species, pag 98. 



