53 



Class I. DICOTYLEDONS. 



Stem consisting of a pith in the centre, of one or more con- 

 centric circles containing fibrous tissue, and of the bark on the 

 outside. Seeds with two cotyledons, the young stem in ger- 

 mination proceeding from between the two lobes of the em- 

 bryo, or from a notch in its summit. 



The above characters are all that can be said to be constant to separate 

 Dicotyledons from Monocotyledons. They are however in most cases very 

 difficult to observe, and yet the distinction is essential, for these two great 

 classes have each their peculiar aspect, vrhich, after a very little habit, the 

 botanist will in most cases recognize at a glance. AU British trees and 

 shrubs are Dicotyledons, so also are all plants with opposite, or whorled, or 

 nctted-veiued leaves (except Faris and a few aquatic plants), and almost all 

 those which have the parts of the flower in fours, fives, or eights. 



I. THE RANUNCULUS FAMILY. EAJ^UNCULACE^. 



Herbs with alternate or radical leaves, or, in one genus, 

 climbers with opposite leaves, the leafstalk in both cases ge- 

 nerally dilated at the base without stipules, the leaf often cut, 

 and the flowers solitary or in terminal racemes or panicles. 

 Sepals distinct, more than 2 (usually 5). Petals distinct, 

 usually 5. but sometimes either deformed or very minute, or 

 altogether wanting. Stamens indefinite, usually numerous, in- 

 serted on the receptacle. Carpels several, distinct or partially 

 united (very rarely reduced to a single one), each bearing a 

 distinct style and enclosing a single cell, with one or more 

 ovules or seeds attached to the base or to the inner angle of 

 the cavity. Seed containing a copious albumen, with a minute 

 embryo. 



Although, from the variable nature of the flowers, especially of the petals, 

 the above character may be somewhat vague, yet the great majority of Ha- 

 nunculacecB are easily distinguished by their numerous, free, hypogynous 

 stamens, and by their distinct carpels. Where, as in Mousetail, the stamens 

 arj few, the carpels are numerous ; and, on the other hand, if in Acttea and 

 some Larkspurs the carpels are solitary, they are unilateral, with the ovules 

 attached to one side or angle of their single cell, showing that they arQ 



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