Linnean System of Plants. 61 
the name of paddy-bird given to a beautiful little Javanese 
bird that feeds upon it. 
England produces but one plant of the second order, and 
that formerly belonged to (and by some botanists is. still 
ranged in) the genus ” Romex, of the third order. This genus 
contains the docks and sorrels; but the mountain sorrel being 
deficient in the number of pistils, and in some other respects 
differing with the other species, has been placed apart, by the 
name of Oxyria reniformis. We have ten British species of 
Rimex, of which the common and the sheep sorrel will be 
likely to puzzle the young botanist, if he be not aware that they 
deviate from the rest of fie genus, in having their stamens and 
pistils on separate plants. This circumstance would probably 
rank them in another class, but that they so entirely agree 
with the rest of the genus in other respects, that it is thought 
better to keep them together, and warn the young stident of 
the variation, than to part plants which Nature has so closely 
allied. ‘These irregularities will sometimes occur, and the 
young botanist will find them noted under each class and 
order to which they belong. The whole genus Rimex oy 
appear strange at first sight, on account of a tubercle (fig. 12.) 
(in some species pretty large) which destroys the 
outline of the flower. Sone of these tubercles 
appear like little rubies, and add much to the 
beauty of the flowers. A curious peculiarity 
in this genus is a joint near the base of each ‘ 
flower-stalk. If a person attempt to pluck one 
flower from the cluster (in any of the species), 
he will find a small part left on the common 
stalk ; if he continue this round an entire 
whorl, it will become more conspicuous, every flower leay- 
ing the part of the stalk below the joint (6). The common 
sorrel (22. Acetdsa) is much used in Lapland for curdling 
milk, which the natives of that country seem to seek every 
possible mode of doing. ‘The few other British plants of this 
order are rare; the best known is the common meadow- 
saffron (Colchicum autumnale), remarkable for the slow 
ripening and deep lodging of its seeds. The flower breaks 
forth in the autumn, in appearance very similar to the crocus, 
from which it differs chiefly in the number of the stamens and 
pistils. Its tube is remarkably long, proceeding directly from 
the bulb, in which the germs are embedded, and remain under 
the aati during the winter. In March or April the fruit 
ripens and shoots forth from the ground, upon a fruit stalk, 
the leaves appearing at the same time. ‘The flowers, like 
several others which are not accompanied by leaves, are 
