Linnean Si/stem of Plants, S53 



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 (Tilia) 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 Linnaeus, 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 Egyptians ; 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 Sarracenm, with its curious tubular leaves; and the Cor- 

 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 pseony, 

 the larkspur, wolfsbane, and columbine; of all which we 

 have native species. The third order, Polygynia, contains, 

 besides the Anemone, JSanunculus, Clematis, and jBTelleborus, 

 of which we have British species, the beautiful tulip tree, 

 Liriodendron Tulipifera, and the noble Magnolm. 



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- 

 spermia (from the Greek, a naked seed), the seeds, generally 



