450 UMBELLIFEROUS TRIBE. 



almost always hollow, and that the leaves are usually much 

 divided. 



618. The separate flowers are generally very minute, and 

 require good sight, or the aid of a magnifying-glass, for their 

 parts to be distinguished. The calyx generally appears very 

 small, seeming to consist only of a little narrow border, from 

 within which the petals arise. This border is marked, however, 

 by five indentations, showing that it consists of five adherent 

 parts or sepals ; and these adhere not only to each other, but to 

 the ovarium (which is consequently inferior), so that their 

 points only are free, and these seem to spread out from the sum- 

 mit of the seed-vessel. The petals are five in number, and 

 spring from the top of the tube of the calyx ; between these 

 arise five stamens. In the centre of the flower we observe two 

 styles ; and these arise from the top of the ovary, which is two- 

 celled, each cell containing a single pendulous ovule. These 

 characters are so constant, that very nearly the whole of the 

 order is contained in the Linnsean class and order PENTANDRIA 

 Digynia ; the only exception being in a few species, in which 

 the ovarium is made up of three carpels. As the fruit ripens, 

 the seeds become adherent to the walls of the ovary ; and the 

 two divisions of the latter separate from one another ; so that 

 for the ripe fruit, we find two grains, which seem like seeds, 

 and are commonly considered as such, although really consisting 

 of the carpels enclosed in the tube of the calyx. They are fre- 

 quently marked in a curious manner on the outside, by ribs or 

 nerves which belong to the latter ; and it is in the substance of 

 this envelope, that the little receptacles of secretion exist, which 

 contain the essential oils that are characteristic of the grains of 

 this order, such as those of Anise, Carraway, &c. 



619. The strong general resemblance which exists between 

 Umbelliferous Plants, makes it frequently a matter of some dif- 

 ficulty to distinguish their various genera and species. This is 

 the more to be regretted, as there is a great difference in their 

 respective qualities, some being nearly or quite harmless, whilst 

 others are virulent poisons. The Carrot, Parsnep, Celery, 

 Fennel, Parsley, Carraway, Dill, Anise, Coriander, and Sam- 



