Five Conspicuous Plant Families. 



We find, much to our encouragement, that there are a few 

 plant families with which we at once become familiar ; and their 

 marked features impress us as those of unusual faces that have 

 to be seen but once to be clearly remembered. The greater 

 number of families, however, and their branches are not so read- 

 ily known. The least little variation in a plant's manner of 

 growth will cause it to be separated from its relatives, even 

 if it has to be regarded as a new species. 



The first Latin or Greek word of a plant's scientific name is 

 the name of its genus: its family name. The second word is 

 an adjective that denotes its species and is usually significant 

 of some characteristic or history with which it is connected. 

 These names are too valuable to be overlooked, and as much 

 as possible they should be memorised. The world over, a 

 plant's scientific name is the same, while the common English 

 names often change not only with country, but with state and 

 town. Following are a few traits of families that are among 

 those most easily recognised : 



THE ARUM FAMILY. 



AracecE. 



Although one of the smallest in numbers, the arum family 

 comprises some of our most quaint and interesting flowers. Its 

 characteristics are strongly marked and its tastes appear to be 

 most patrician. We may believe that it does not concern it- 

 self about the fashions, as it makes no attempt to follow the 



