BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. 161 



science, he will not fail to seize and analyze each new flower 

 while the short hour of its beauty may last. Thus in a few 

 seasons, or even in one, he may become well acquainted with 

 ihefiora of the vicinity where he dwells. 



525. Suppose, now, the pupil to be in possession of an un- 

 known plant in flower and fruit. The first requisite is, its 

 Natural Order, and the first step in analysis is an examination 

 of the several organs, one by one, until the general structure is 

 well understood. This done, the experienced botanist, who has 

 in memory the characters of all the Orders, might determine at 

 once to which of them the plant in question belongs. But the 

 beginner must be content with a longer course of inquiry and 

 comparison, a course which might be indefinitely long and 

 vague without the use of 



526. Analytical Tables. These are designed to shorten 

 arid define to exactness the processes of analysis. Those which 

 appear in the present work are peculiar in form, and moie copi- 

 ous and complete than the tables of any other similar work. 

 These tables, with proper use in connection with the specimen, 

 will very rarely fail to conduct the inquirer almost immediately 

 to the right Order, Genus, and Species. 



"We subjoin a few examples of the analysis of particular 

 species by the aid of these tables. If the exercise be conducted 

 in the class-room, the successive steps in the process (indicated 

 by the numbers 1, 2, 3, &c., below) may be assigned, in order, 

 to each pupil in the class. 



ANALYSIS OF A POLYPETALOU8 HERB. 



527. To determine the Coliort. A good specimen of a little yellow-flowered 

 herbaceous plant, common in the grassy fields of cool regions, is supposed to be now in 

 the hands of each pupil of the class. (1.) The first pupil, reading (if necssary) the charac- 

 teristic of each sub-kingdom, pronounces the plant one of the Phienogamia, and refers 

 the next pupil to the Provinces, 1 or 2. 



(2.) The next reads the characters of those Provinces, and comparing the specimen 

 (which has net-veined leaves and 5-merous flowers), concludes that it is an Exogen. Refer 

 next to the Classes, 1 or 2. 



(3.) " Stigmas present. Seeds enclosed in vessels." 



" Stigma* none. Seeds naked. (Pines, Spruces, &c.)" Our plant has stigmas, &c., 

 and, moreover, is not a Pine, Spruce, &c. It is, therefore, an Angiosperm. Refer next 

 to Cohorts 1, 2, or 3. 



(4.) " Corolla with the petals distinct." This characterizes our plant, and it is pro- 

 nounced one of the PolypetaUe. Refer them to A. 



