DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS. 171 



necessarily expressing the exact truth : thus, as has already been explained 

 under the head of Morphology, when we say that one organ is inserted 

 into another, it would be more correct to say that the one emerged from 

 the other ; in the same way many cases of so-called cohesion and adhesion 

 are shown, by the study of the progressive development of the flower, to 

 be rather cases of arrested separation than of union of originally distinct 

 organs. 



In describing a plant fully, a commencement is made with the root, 

 from which we proceed to the stem, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, and, 

 finally, the ripe fruit and seeds. 



In the case of the root the principal points to be looked to are : first its 

 nature, whether true or adventitious; then, in succession, its form, direc- 

 tion, size, degree and mode of ramification, duration, consistence, surface, 

 colour, &c. Similar remarks apply to the stem and its modifications. 



Leaves require first to be noted as to their position, radical, cauline, &c. ; 

 insertion, stalked or sessile ; possession or deficiency of stipules ; arrange- 

 ment, alternate, opposite, &c. ; composition, simple or compound ; direction, 

 duration, texture, colour, and surface. The blade of the leaf mast then be 

 described as to its general form, outline, base, apex, margins, mode of vena- 

 tion, size (especially in relation to the stalk, if present). The subdivisions of 

 a compound leaf must be treated in the same manner as simple leaves. 

 The petiole or leaf-stalk has to be noted as to its form, surface, relative 

 size, fec. Stipules, as far as practicable, should be described in a similar 

 manner to the leaves, as also should, mutatis mutandis, the leaf-buds. 

 In their case, as also in the case of Jlower-buds, the mode of vernation or 

 of (estivation, as the case may be, should be ascertained and recorded. As 

 regards the inflorescence, the principal things to be considered are its 

 position, direction, relative size as compared with the leaf, nature (definite 

 or indefinite), ramification, form, number of flowers, duration, &c. 



The flower-stalks follow the same rule as the leaf-stalks ; but particular 

 attention should be paid to the top of the flower-stalk (the thalamus) 

 to see whether it be flat, convex, or concave. The bracts are described in 

 the same manner as the leaves. In the case of the calyx and corolla, 

 attention should be directed to their construction (cohesion), relative posi- 

 tion (adhesion), form, direction, colour, venation, surface, size, absolute and 

 relative, duration, odour, &c. 



Individual sepals or petals should be described in the same way as the 

 leaves. 



Stamens should be described with reference to their insertion (adhesion), 

 cohesion (free or united), number, position, arrange?nent,size (with reference 

 to one another and to the other parts of the flower). Filaments present 

 similar characters to those offered by the leaf- stalks, and are described 

 accordingly. Anthers require attention as to their form, mode of attach- 

 ment to the filament, shape and number of their lobes, their mode of dehis- 

 cence, colour, surface, the form and peculiarities of the connective and of 

 any appendages that may be present. The form, colour, and distinctness 

 or cohesion of the pollen-grains should, if possible, be stated. This is not 

 always practicable unless recourse be had to the compound microscope, 

 when other peculiarities, then visible, should be noted, as will be further 

 explained in the section on Physiology. 



After the stamens, the characteristics of the disk, if present, should be 



