LETTER XL 



THE NETTLE TRIBE — WOODY FIBRE — THE BREADFRUIT 

 TRIBE — THE WILLOW TRIBE. 



(Plate XI.) 



The tribes of Dicotyledonous Plants, with only a 

 calyx to their flower, are far from being exhausted 

 with those we have already seen. On the contrary, 

 there is a great many races, the structure of which 

 is extremely curious. I must, however, be content 

 with selectinof three of the commonest for further 

 illustration, and with referring you for a knowledge 

 of the remainder to the systematic works of Bota- 

 nists. 



Let one of these be the Nettle Tribe ; we will not, 

 however, select the Nettle itself, because of its stings, 

 but begin with a harmless plant called Common Pel- 

 litory (Parietaria officinalis), which you may find 

 every where on old walls, or in dry waste places. 

 This species grows either prostrate, or erect, is very 

 much branched, has reddish stems and leaves, and 

 clusters of minute reddish-green flowers in the bosom 

 of the leaves (Plate XL fig. L). Over all its surface 

 are scattered stiffish hairs, which do not sting, but 



