Linnean System of Plants. 353 
observes that the pistils vary from two to six. In the first 
order of this class, Monogynia, are found many handsome 
plants, and many of ill repute: but plants, like human beings, 
however ill a name they bear, are generally found to possess 
some redeeming qualities. The white poppy (Papaver som- 
niferum), which produces opium, should rather be lauded for 
its beneficence, than branded as an assassin: its virtues are 
acknowledged by thousands who have had experience of them, 
and, while treated with the respect it so well deserves, it exhi- 
bits virtues only. Power is a dangerous thing, and all who 
possess it should be approached with caution; but it is not 
always employed to destroy. Even hellebore and aconite, 
great as is their power to destroy life, are sometimes em- 
ployed to preserve it. ‘The lime tree (7'llia) alone might 
redeem all the sins of the other genera in this order: in this 
country it is cultivated chiefly for its scent and beauty; but, 
to say nothing of its reputation for purifying the air around it, 
the many uses to which it is applied, more particularly by the 
Russians, show, at least, of what it is capable. Nor should 
we forget that this tree, which we may proudly claim as a 
Briton, gave its name to the illustrious Linnzeus, whom every 
naturalist may style his friend. Among the handsomest of 
our native plants in this order, we may reckon the white and 
yellow water-lilies: the former nearly related to the sacred 
lotus flower of the Key ptians; the latter, in Norfolk called 
brandy-bottles, possessing so strong a scent and flavour of that 
spirit, that they are not only used to flavour sherbet, but the 
Greeks make a cordial of them. Some of the more remark- 
able exotics are, the mammee apple; the anchovy pear; 
the Sarracénza, with its curious tubular leaves; and the Cér- 
chorus, one species of which so generally enlivens our gar- 
dens with its profusion of sunny-coloured flowers. In the 
second order, Pentagynia, the principal genera are the paeony, 
the larkspur, wolfsbane, and columbine; of all which we 
have native species. The third order, Polygiynia, contains, 
besides the Anemone, Raninculus, Clematis, and Helléborus, 
of which we have British species, the beautiful tulip tree, 
Liriodéndron Tulipifera, and the noble Magnolia. 
The fourteenth class, Didyndmia, is distinguished by four 
stamens, of which two are longer than the rest. The flowers 
have a tubular calyx, generally five-cleft; an irregular mono- 
petalous corolla, of which the border is mostly divided into 
two lips, the upper erect, the lower spreading and_ three- 
cleft. They have but one pistil, of which the stigma is cleft 
or notched. ‘This class is divided into two orders. ; Gymno- 
spéermia (from the Greek, a naked seed), the seeds, generally 
