PLANT IDENTIFICATION. 201 



In his descriptions, then, whilst writing out a detailed 

 account of the naked eye appearance (with the assistance 

 of a pocket lens where necessary), the observer should in 

 particular pay attention to the following : 



The venation of the leaves, whether netted or parallel 

 veined, and along with this whether the showy parts of 

 the flower are recognisable as sepals and petals distinct, 

 or not distinguishable but all of one colour. Parallel 

 veins in leaves along with a perianth (outer part of flower) 

 not separable into two groups (sepals and petals), and not 

 5-partite, indicate the large " Class " MONOCOTYLEDONS. 

 On the other hand netted venation indicates the " Class " 

 DICOTYLEDONS. 



Amongst netted veined flowering plants note whether 

 flowers are complete or incomplete. That is whether all 

 the parts, calyx (sepals), corolla (petals), stamens, ovary 

 (carpel or carpels), are present. (In the foregoing list 

 there are no incomplete flowers ; in the list of trees, p. 258, 

 there are several.) 



Note also whether the petals of the corolla are all separ- 

 ate from each other (free) : 



Examples the Orders Eanunculaceae, Cruciferae, 

 Violaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Geraniaceae; 



or whether the petals are more or less united (connate) 

 into a two or more lobed corolla : 



Examples the Orders Compositae, Primulaceae, Scro- 

 phulariaceae, Labiatae. 



Other points of importance in classification to be noted 

 in a description are whether the stamens are inserted on 

 the top of the flower stalk and free from the calyx and 

 corolla (hypogynous) or whether on the calyx or disc 

 (perigynous or epigynous). Also whether the ovary is 

 below the insertion of the outer floral parts (inferior), or 

 above these (superior). The form and arrangement of the 

 leaves, e.g. whether placed opposite or alternate ; whether 

 radical (i.e. in a rosette-like arrangement close to ground ; 

 whether leaves have stipules (blade-like outgrowths at 



