2g NATURAL ORDERS. 



Ovary one-seeded, often surrounded by bristles. Examples: Carcx, Cypefus, 

 Scirpus, (|*c. 



11. Gramine'.e. The Grasses. This is a very important family. The flowers 

 have generally three stamens and one germ. "The embryo is small and attach- 

 ed to a farinaceous albumen. In germinating, the cotyledon remains attache'" 

 to the albumen and nourishes the plume. The roois are fibrous and capillar 

 The culms are cylindrical, hollow, or pithy. The flower and calyx consist of 

 scales, called glumes. The chajfy fiower, single seed, mealy albumen, situation 

 of the embryo, and method of germination, distinguish, in apeculiar manner, this 

 family. Properties: farinaceous, valuable as food for men and animals. Exam- 

 ples : wheal, meadow-grass, sugar-cane. (See Plate ;2. Fig. 2, and Plate 4. Fig. 6.) 



Cla.ss III. Monocotyledons. 



Stmnens perigynous (arouinl the genu.) Fiiiils willi three cells. Embryo small, with a large 

 alhumen. 



12, Pal"m^. Tke Palm tribe. This family is a native of warm climates. 

 The flowers are often dioecious. (See Areca oleratea, Plate 1. Fig. 1.) The 

 number of stamens is usually six ; the filaments are often united al the base. 

 The germ is superior; corolla deeply parted into six segments, the three outer 

 ones being smallest. The germ is superior. The fruit is a berry or a fibrous 

 drupe, the albumen of which is, at first, tender and eatable, and at last becomes 

 hard. The stems of palms are usually undivided, lofty, and round; they are 

 not composed of concentric circles, being endogenous or growing internally ; 

 they are scaly from the remains of the indurated foot-stalks of leaves. The 

 leaves of palms appear in a terminal tuft, alternate and sheathing. 



1.3. Lilia'ce^. Lily -like plants. Six petals spreading gradually from the base, 

 and exhibiting a bell-form appearance, butdifi'ering from the campanulate flow- 

 ers in being polypetalous. The number of stamens is generally six, sometimes 

 but three, usually alternate with the petals. The germ is always of a triangu- 

 lar form, and contains three cells ; the roots are mostly bulbous. The calyx is 

 usually wanting; the stems are simple, without branches; the leaves entire, and 

 nerved. To this family belong the tulip, lily, crown-impeiitil, dog-tnoih violet, 

 &c. Plants of this natural family usually belong to the artificial class, Hexan- 

 dria; the Crocus and Ixia, having 3 stamens, belong to the class Triandria. 

 (Plate 7. Fig. 4.) 



14. Aspar"agi. Asparagus-like pla'iiti. Corolla, monopetalous, 6-parted. Sta- 

 mens six. Fruit a berry, superior, 3-celled. Roots fasciculated. Examples: 

 A.sparagus and Convallaria. (See Plate 1. Fig. 3, for a plant of this family.) 



15. Narcis'si. Roots mostly bulbous. Leaves sessile, elongated, alternate; rad- 

 ical leaves sheathing. Flowers with spathas ; panicled, corymbed or solitary. 

 Perianth, which is usually called a corolla, 6-parted. Stamens 6, inserted into 

 the tube of the perianth. Style 1. Stighia simple or 3-parted, Capsule 3-celled, 

 .■J-valveJ, or 3-parted. Seed with a perisperm. Examples: Narcissus and Ga- 

 lanihus. 



1(3. Iridk'/e. Iris like plants. Root tuberous. Leaves sessile, alternate, equi- 

 tani, compressed, ensiform. Flowers with spathas. Perianth petal-like, 6-part- 

 cd, 3 internal, 3 external. Stamens 3. Style 1. Stigmas 3. often petaloid. 

 Capsule 3-celled, 3-valve(l, many-seeded. Examples: Iris, Gladiolus. Roots 

 useful in dropsical complaints, antiscorbutic. (Plate 6. Fig. 6.) 



17. Jun,je'.e. The Rush tribe. Flowers imperfect, glumaceous. Leaves 

 fistuhir, or flat and channelled, with parallel veins. Examples: Juncus, Luzula. 

 The /eaves are used for bottoming chairs. Medicinal properties doubtful. 

 (Plate 8. Fig. 7.) 



18. BROME'r.iiE. Pine-apple tribe. Leaves radical, ensiform, caniculate. 

 S-^ape short. Fruit a sorose, ovale succulent, surmounted with a crown ol 

 leaves. Examples: Bromelia, Agave. (See Plate 5. Fig. 3.) 



19. Asphode'li. Asphodel tribe. Stamens 6; corolla 6-parted; germ 3-celled. 

 Roots bulbous, or fasciculated. Examples: Onion, Hyacinth, Properties: 

 acrid and stimulating. 



20. Commeli'ne;e. Tlu: Spider-wort tribe. Examples: Tradescantia, Coin- 

 melina. Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually sheathing at the base. Thi* 

 family is taken from Junceas. 



21. Alisma'ck*. Tfe Arrow-head tribe. Examples: Sagittaria, Alisma, 

 Taken from Juncex. (Plate 3. Figs. 4, b.) 



