.SrXOP.SLs. xiii 



is the divided leaf ; but to this also many exceptions occur. The first point, 

 however, that f-hould have attention in tlie study of this order is the con- 

 struction of tlie flower, which offers its own peculiar commentary on the 

 Darwinian doctrine that requires flouers to be fertilised with pollen not of 

 their own producing, or, in other words, the doctrine that degeneracy must 

 follow upon self-fertilisation. Generally speaking, no doubt, they are self- 

 fertilised. This order is prolific of flowers, but very few double flowers 

 occur : those we call to mind at the moment are Genista tinctoria, Spartium 

 junceum, tllex Eui-opffius, Lotus corniculatus, Orobus vemus, aud Wistaria 

 sinensis, the last producing occasionally two ovaries. jj. 93. 



AQTJILEGrlA, from aqiiila, an eagle, the flower often bearing a 

 resemblance to a bird. The garden name of Columbine has a similar 

 meaning, referring to a fancied resemblance of the flower to a pigeon. N.C)., 

 JRaiiiiiiciilacetB. Lins.ean : 13, rulyniiih-i:i : 6, rcntainji/nia. 'p. 97. 



TANSY. The name is explained in the text. N.O. , .Istcraceu', the 

 Stai'worts or Composites. LiNN.a]AN : 19, ,Htjngi-ncHia ; 2, Hiiperfita. — The 

 place of the tansy in the enormous order of the composites is with the artimesia, 

 or woiTuwood, which it resembles in leafage and in aromatic properties. In 

 this section the florets of the disc are always hermaphrodite, those of the ray 

 i-istillate. The leaves of the tansy contain a volatile oil, a fat, a resin, and a 

 peculiar acid called tanacetic acitl. The costraary, or Tijrttlirum tiuiacftitm^ 

 has similar properties, and formerly was held in high repute as an anti- 

 spasmodic. The fragrant tarragon, so much prized by the eclectic salad- 

 maker, is a member of the wormwood genus, as its name, Artemisia 

 ^rac/ff/c/djfs, indicates. Another near relative is the southernwood {Arteiii isia 

 abrotatiH)!/), a plant once much prized for promoting perspiration in catarrhal 

 fevers, but now best known as a fragrant (and sometimes flagi'aut) enricher 

 of a rustic nosegay. The common wormwood {Artemisia vulgarifi), formerly 

 in high renown for medicinal pui-poses, has of late been re-introduced 

 to the catalogue of useful curative plants, being used as a remedy for 

 epilepsy. p. 101. 



ORNITHOGALUM, from oniis, a bird, and rjala, milk. N.O., 

 i(/(ff^(Vf, or Lilyworts. Linn.ean ; 6, J[e.'!fi/driif ; 1, dloHOf/yinii. — The star 

 of Bethlehem belongs to the hyacinth group of liliaceous plants, having for 

 associates the muscari, eucomis, allium, and .the very lovely chinodoxa. 

 The hyacinth and the scilla are, however, the two most important members 

 of this section. p. 105. 



IXIA, from ixia, bird-lime, the jjlaut having a clammy juice. N.O., 

 Iralneeer, Linnjean : Z, Triandria ; 1, Jfrniiiijijnia. — All the irids are herbs 

 with tuberous or fibrous roots, alternate leaves, which are often sheathing at 

 the base. The flowers are regular or irregular, three or six divided, the fruit 

 a three-celled capsule. The members -of the order are widely scattered, 

 flourishing splendidly in the southern hemisphere, more particularly tht 

 Cape of Good Hope. Ixia, sparaxis, tritonia, and Watsonia are relations, 

 and require nearly the same management, being fairly hardy near London, 

 but braving all seasons in the Channel Islands, more particularly in 

 Guernsey. p. 109. 



JASMINTJM, from the Arabic YsmiJ)i. N.O., Jnsiiiinacea. LiN- 

 N.a3AN : 2, Diai/dria; 1, Mimofijiniri. — The members of this interesting order 

 are free-growing shrubs, many of them having twining stems ; the leaves are 



