250 THE GENTIANS. 



3. Sdttecz, or Allies^ squill or onion tribe; bulbous, with 

 black and brittle testa. 



4. Anthericea or Asphodelecz, asphodel tribe j roots fascicled 

 or fibrous, leaves neither coriaceous nor permanent. 



5. Convottariea, lily of the valley tribe ; stem developed as 

 a rhizome or tuber. 



6. Asparagece. asparagus tribe ; stem usually fully developed, 

 arborescent, branched in some cases, and leaves frequently 

 permanent and coriaceous. 



7. Alonietz, aloes tribe ; stem usually developed, arborescent, 

 with succulent leaves. 



8. Aphyllanthece, grass-tree tribe ; characterised by a rush- 

 like habit and membranous imbricated bracts. 



THE GENTIANS. 



Let me now direct your attention, reader, to a pretty plant, 

 of very elegant appearance : crowned, as it is, by a cluster of 

 rosy flowers, it would not disgrace our well-kept parterres. It is 

 called the common Centaury {Erythrcza centaur iuni). You will 

 never see it in the fields side by side with the Delphinium ; 

 but in July and August will meet with it frequently on the 

 borders of woodland paths and open glades. 



Would you create for yourself by the study of nature a 

 source of enjoyment equally pure and inexhaustible, adopt 

 a method of classification for your own use, and, to facilitate 

 you in the task, take for your types those plants which are at 

 once the commonest and most characteristic of each season. 

 Quite at your ease, you may begin your analysis by examining 



