68 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 



L. Then the Sage should be in this class, 

 its flowers resemble lips. 



E. It would be were it not that it had only 

 two perfectly developed stamens ; we can trace 

 in it the beginning or rudiments of two more, 

 as if Nature had at first designed it for the class, 

 but afterwards changed her mind, just leaving 

 enough to show her intention. There are other 

 plants in the same situation as the Sage, about 

 the whole of which Linneus remarked that the 

 insects who mostly visited them had but two 

 perfect wings, the rudiments of two more lying 

 useless and concealed under a little membrane. 

 This fact has often been brought forward to 

 show the harmony of nature. But to return to 

 study. What is the first order in this class ? 



L. Gymnospermia, known by the seed ap- 

 pearing naked. 



E. This order includes the labiate corollas 

 of the ringent, or gaping kind, they most in- 

 habit places exposed to the sun, as hills and 

 vales, and the great majority are aromatic, from 

 which by distillation, the essential oils are obtain 

 ed. In this order are the Peppermint, Laven- 

 der, Marjoram, and Thyme, the last of which is 



