CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 11 



THALAMIFLOR^E. 



28. This is one of the subdivisions of Exogens, which is characterised by 

 the petals of the flowers being distinct, and by the stamens being fixed to 

 the receptacle. There are fifty-eight orders described under this subclass, 

 in our Hortus Britannicus, of which those which will be most readily 

 recognised by a general observer, or a beginner, are, Ranunculacese, Cru- 

 ciferae, Malvaceae, and Geraniaceae. 



29. Ranunculacece. Calyx with deciduous sepals; petals, 3-15; stamens 

 numerous ; carpels numerous and generally distinct ; herbaceous plants, and 

 a few of them suffruticose shrubs, natives of the temperate regions of both 

 hemispheres ; leaves alternate or opposite, generally lobed or much divided ; 

 flowers often large and showy ; properties, acridity and causticity. Familiar 

 examples of this order are, the Clematis, Anemone, Hepatica, Ranunculus, 

 Hellebore, Columbine, Larkspur, Monkshood, and Peony. 



30. Cruciferce. Sepals and petals 4 each ; the sepals deciduous, and the 

 petals always arranged in the form of a cross. Stamens 4 long and 2 short ; 

 stigmas 2 ; fruit, a pod with seeds in a double line. Herbaceous plants, 

 mostly annuals and biennials, natives of most parts of the world. Leaves 

 alternate, all simple, and not much cut. Flowers yellow or white, rarely 

 purple. Properties, antiscorbutic and stimulant, combined with acridity. 

 Familiar examples are the Common Stock, the Wallflower, Honesty, Shep- 

 herd's Purse, Rocket, Cress, Cabbage, Mustard, Sea Kale, and Radish. 



31. Malvaceae. Sepals and petals five each; the sepals generally with 

 bracts upon them ; the petals twisted before expansion, and unfolding 

 spirally ; the stamens numerous and united together, forming a cylinder 

 round the pistillum ; the fruit a ring of carpels, each single-seeded. Herba- 

 ceous plants, trees, or shrubs, natives of every part of the world. Leaves 

 alternate, stipulate, more or less divided. Flowers for the most part showy. 

 Properties, mucilaginous and wholesome. Familiar examples are, the Mallow, 

 the Hollyhock, the Lavatera, the Althaea frutex, and the Cotton plant. 



32. GeraniacecB. Sepals 5; petals 5; stamens 5-10, united together ; car- 

 pels 5, united to a long elastic style attached at the top to the beak of the 

 receptacle. Herbaceous plants or shrubs with stems tumid and separable at 

 the joints ; natives of various parts of the world ; and the more showy species 

 almost everywhere cultivated. Leaves simple, either opposite or alternate, 

 often lobed and divided ; frequently stipulate. Flowers showy and bright- 

 coloured. Properties, astringent and aromatic or resinous. Familiar ex- 

 amples are, Geranium, Erodium, and Pelargonium. 



33. Other orders belonging to this division, are, 



Magnoliacece^ containing the Magnolia and other trees and shrubs, (of 

 which, however, there are very few,) bearing a close resemblance to this 

 well-known ornamental tree. JBerberidaceee The Barberry, and similar 

 shrubs. Nymphceacece The Water-lily, and similar plants. Papaveracece 

 Plants with their flowers and fruits of the general structure of the poppy. 

 Fwnariacece Plants resembling the common Fumitory. Resedacece Mig- 

 nonette, and similar plants. Cistacece Cistus-like plants ; easily recognised 

 by their flowers, and for the most part by their rough leaves. Violariacece 

 Violet-like plants. Caryophyttacece. Plants bearing a general resem- 

 blance to the pink. Alsinacece Chickweed-looking plants. Linacece 

 Plants resembling the common Flax. Tiliacea The Lime trees. Camel- 



