SYNOP-SIK xi 



petals, and the stamens are (hypothetically) in numerical harmony with the 

 petals, being twice or thrice as many, except when some are abortive. The 

 cui'ious results of tlie non-development of parts required for the comi^lete 

 agreement of a species with the characters of the order are amusingly illus- 

 trated by Endlicher's pelarj^onium, which has but t^vo petals, owing to the 

 suppression of three, the rudiments of which are visible. The one distinguish- 

 ing character is what Dr. Lindley describes as " the long, beak-like torus, 

 round which the carpels are arranged, and the presence of membranous 

 stipules or joints which are usually tumid." Plants that have not these 

 peculiarities are not proper members of the Geraniacere. Between pelargonium 

 and geranium tlie difference is obvious to the casual observer, and needs but 

 to be pointed out to be readily understood. In pelargoniums the petals are 

 unequal, and it matters not how "highly-bred" the florist's i:)elargoniums 

 may be, the ditl'erence in size of the two lower petals is always discernible. 

 In geranium the petals are all of one size and the flower is perfectly sym- 

 metrical. There n.re many hardy geraniums, but there is only one hardy 

 pelargonium, and tliat is J'. EiKVicJicrianKDu referred to above as liaving an 

 abnonnal flower. p. 69. 



T5"EMOPHILA. from iiciih'S, a grove, and pJtUco, I love, the genus 

 consisting of woodland flowers. N.O., Jii/ilrophi/Iltirca:. LiNN-TiiN : 5, Fcii- 

 t(i)nh-ia ; 1, 2£onoginii.((. — The order comprises smallish herbs and trees of 

 comparatively little importance, as they have no place in the arts. The 

 leaves are often ten-lo>>ed, the flowers in racemes or spikes, occasionally 

 solitary and axillary; they are flve-i>arted, as in the flower before us; the 

 fruit is a capsule. They are nearly allied to the phloxes, to the i^rimulus, 

 and to the borageworts. The pretty eutoca, a favourite garden flower, is a 

 member of this order, 2^- "'■'^■ 



MIIMTJLXJS, from Lat. iiihiiiis, a mimic, an ape, in reference to the 

 gaping mouth formed by the under petal ; hence the familiar name of monkey 

 flower. jS".0., Svruphiil<ifiarc(C. Linn.15:an : 14, D'uhjnaniia ; 2, Aitg'io- 

 spcrmia. — The order consists of herbs or shrubs, with leaves usually opposite, 

 sometimes alternate ; flowers hermaphrodite, irregular, in spikes or clusters ; 

 the calyx is permanent, with four or Ave unequal divisions ; the corolla is 

 subject to great variation, but is usually four-divided and gaping ; stamens 

 four ; ovary two-celled, many-ovuled ; style simple with two-lobed stigma ; 

 fruit a two -celled capsule; seeds with a straight cylindrical embryo. A 

 large and very natural order, comprising the calceolaria, verbascum, antir- 

 rhinum, diplacus, digitalis, veronica, bartsia, rhinanthus, kc. The species 

 are scattered all over tlie world, but are most abundant in the warmer 

 temperate regions. Their properties are various, but few of them are 

 available as food ; mau}' produce powerful drugs, and all are more or less 

 suspicious. J>- 77. 



AMYG-DALUS is of uncertain origin. By some it is derived from 

 a>}ii/-'!SO, in allusion to the furrows in the stone of the fruit ; by others from a 

 Hebrew word that derives its meanhig from the early appearance of almond 

 flowers in spring. N.O., Dr/tparece. Linn.'EAN : 12, Icosco/dria ; 1, Moi/o- 

 qifnia. — In a large classification the peach, almond, cheny, plum, and laurel 

 belong to the N.O. liosacetr, or roses. But a large classification is often 

 inconvenient, and the botanists feel the need of ' ' breaking it up." This has 

 been ivisely accomplished in placing the stone fruits in a separate order, for 

 not only do thej'^ differ from true roses in this particular feature, but in 

 other respects, notably in the production of a poisonous principle that is 

 prominent in the almond, and gives its peculiar flavour to the kernels of 



