UNKNOWN PLANTS. tf< 



This method of proceeding is similar to that which is observed 

 in turning- over a dictionary, where, in searching for a word, as 

 FAME, we first look for the letter F, then A, and so successively 

 the M and E. F may represent the class, A the order, M the ge- 

 nus, and E the species. Milne. 



Observation. 1 It happens in some instances in the Linnaean 

 system, that a particular species has the character of some other 

 class or order than the one to which the other species of the 

 same genus belong. Thus the Fringed Gentian has only four 

 stamens, while the other species of the genus have 5. Some spe- 

 cies of Cerastium have only 4, others 5, stamens, though the 

 greater part have 10. This is an imperfection in the classes and 

 orders, and as the different species of the same g'enus must nevei 

 be separated by artificial arrangements, such species are not plac 

 ed in the class and order whose character they have, but are re- 

 tained with the other species of their genus in another class and 

 order. Their names however are put down in italics by Linnaeus 

 in the class and order to which they would be referred by the 

 stamens and styles. This obviates the difficulty which would 

 otherwise arise to the student, and enables him to refer to the 

 plant by the index. 



2. There is generally a relation in the numbers of the different 

 parts of the same flower. Thus the Lily has 6 petals, 6 stamens, 

 stigma 3-cleft, capsule 3celled. The Rose has its calyx 5-parted 

 and corolla 5-petalled. In Trillium this uniformity of numbers is 

 so remarkable as to give name to the genus. It has 3 leaves ; 

 the flower has the calyx 3-leaved, corolla 3 petalled, stamens 6, 

 stigmas 3, capsule 3-celled. 



This often gives a clue to the class and order of an unknown 

 plant when it is in fruit. The benefit of which I have frequent- 

 ly had the satisfaction to avail myself of, either by the divisions of 

 a permanent caiyx, the number of valves or cells of the capsule 

 or the number of seeds. 



3. Sometimes from poverty of nourishment or some other 

 cause, flowers are found to have a less number of divisions in all 

 their parts than usual ; or a greater number from abundance of 

 nourishment. 



The Epigaa usually has its calyx and corolla 5-parted, stamens 

 10, capsule 5-celled ; but some of its flowers occasionally have a 

 fifth part wanting, thus : calyx and corolla 4-parted, stamens 8, 

 capsule 4 celled 



4. In some plants the terminal flowers have a greater number of 

 divisions than the latteral ones. Ex. Some species of Jllonotropa 

 have their terminal flowers with 10 petals, 10 stamens, capsule 5- 

 valved, &c. while the lateral ones have a fifth part wanting, thus : 

 petals 8, stamens 8, capsule 4-celled, &c. 



