32 PICTURE OF ORGANIZED -NATURE. 



8. The Podded-plants (Cmciferte) include, in their 

 Order, all plants with four cross-shaped-petals, and 

 podded fruits : it begins in some herbs at the snow- 

 line ; namely, Arabis alpina and ccerulea, Cardamine 

 alpina, Draba hirta, Cochkaria groenlcmdica ; and 

 extends over the cold and greater part of the Tem- 

 perate Zone, without reaching that of the Torrid ; and 

 probably reaches its utmost perfection in the region 

 between the 50th and 60th of Northern Latitude. 



9. The numerous Order of Leguminous plants 

 (JLeguminosai) begins near the snow-line, in some 

 mountain herbs, namely, Astragalus leontinus, alpi- 

 nus and montanus, Phaca alpina, &c. ; gradually in- 

 creases in size and beautiful growth, mimber of 

 individuals, species, and genera ; and proceeds from 

 the form of herbs into that of shrubs, and finally into 

 trees. It spreads, with a continually increasing- 

 abundance, over the Temperate and Warm Zones ; 

 becoming remarkable in the latter, from many tall 

 trees with winged leaves and beautiful blossoms. 

 Several of the Sensitive plants of this kind are par- 

 ticularly deserving of attention, from the irritability 

 of their leaves. Next to them, as chiefly remark- 

 able, are the Brosilettos, Locust tree, Mountain 

 Ebony, Three-horned Acacia, and Tamarinds. The 

 greater part of the alimentary herbs in the Temperate 



