CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 15 



or less resembling the Plantago, or common Plantain. Amaranthaceae, 

 Chenopodiaceae, Begoniaceae, Polygonaceae, Lamaceae, Proteaceae, Thyme- 

 leaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Urticaceae, Ulmaceae, Juglandaceae, Empetraceae. Of 

 these the Coniferae may generally be known by their foliage ; but the others, 

 for the most part, require to be seen in flower, at least by the beginner. 



ENDOGENS. 



48. Endogens have no general subdivisions like the exogens ; but their 

 principal orders, with a view to the general observer, are Orchidaceae, Scita- 

 minacese, IridaceaB, Amaryllidaceae, Asphodelaceae, Tulipaceae, Palmaceae, 

 and Graminaceae. 



49. Orchidacece. Flowers of six sepals, irregular ; stamen and style 

 united. Herbaceous plants, often with the stems and leaves perennial ; 

 many of them epiphytes, that is, growing on the trunks and branches of 

 trees. Leaves simple, quite entire, often articulated with the stem. The 

 flowers of this order are so remarkable in their external appearance, that 

 when once seen they are easily repognised, either hi the indigenous Orchises 

 of British marshes and chalky downs which grow in the soil ; or in the 

 tropical species kept in stoves, which for the most part grow on the bark of 

 the trunk and branches of trees. 



50. Scitaminacece. Stem formed of the cohering bases of the leaves ; never 

 branching. Leaves simple, sheathing one another on the stem. Flowers in 

 spikes, racemes, or panicles, with numerous bracts. Tropical herbaceous 

 plants, of which the following are examples : the Ginger, the Indian Shot, 

 Alpinia, Hedychium, Plantains, and Bananas. 



51. IridacecB. Flowers superior ; stamens, three distinct, their anthers 

 turned outwards. Herbaceous plants, chiefly bulbs, natives of the Cape of 

 Good Hope, but many of them also of Europe. Leaves ensiform, equitant, 

 or alike on both sides. Flowers terminal, hi spikes, corymbs, or panicles ; 

 bright-coloured, large, and showy. Familiar examples are : Iris, Ixia, the 

 Tiger Flower, Gladiolus, and Crocus. The latter flower is familiar to 

 every one. 



62. Amaryllidacece. Flowers superior; stamens six, distinct ; their 

 anthers turned inwards. Bulbous-rooted herbaceous plants, natives of most 

 parts of the world, with uniform leaves having parallel veins. Flowers with 

 sheath-like bracts, large, bright-coloured, and showy. Familiar examples 

 are : the Amaryllis, Crinum, Bloodflower, Hypoxis, Narcissus, Snowdrop, 

 Summer Snowflake, and Alstro3meria. 



53. Llliacece. Flowers inferior, of six divisions ; stamens, six. Her- 

 baceous plants with bulbous roots, natives of the temperate parts of the 

 northern hemisphere. Familiar examples are : the Lily, the Scilla, the 

 Hyacinth, Fritillary, Dog's-tooth Violet, Tulip, Star of Bethlehem, As- 

 phodel, Butcher's Broom, Solomon's Seal, and Lily of the Valley. The 

 Tulip and the Lily are familiar to every one. 



54. Palmacece. Flowers enclosed by a sheath, six- parted ; stamens, six ; 

 fruit fleshy or baccate. Trees, sometimes low plants ; always with simple 

 stems, seldom if ever branched, and having the leaves in clusters at the top 

 of the stem. Leaves large, pinnated or fan-shaped, folded before expansion ; 

 natives of tropical climates, and in Britain only to be seen in hothouses. 

 Familiar examples are, the Fan Palm, the Date, the Sago Palm, and the 

 Zamia. 



