POLYANTHUS, or PRIMULA, from Greek po!i,s, many, 

 aud iiiilhiix, a flower ; the flowers being in umbels ou the summit of a 

 common stem, as, distiuguislied from those of the primrose, which appear 

 singly on separate stems. The generic name primula is from prinultts, 

 the beginning, referring to the early appearance of the flowers in spring. 

 N.O., J'rimiilame. IjisiiMkS : 5, Pentandrin : 1, Monogi/iria.—Aiiuutil ot 

 perennial herbs with radical leaves and regular flowers. Calyx usually with 

 live divisions or lobes ; corolla in one piece, with usually fivelohes ; stamens 

 equal to the number of the lobes, and opposite to them ; style and stigma 

 simple ; fruit one-celled, many-seeded. A comparatively unimportant 

 family, best known for the beautiful flowers it contributes to our fields 

 and gardens. ^j_ 37^. 



SALVIA, from salfo, to save, in allusion to the medicinal properties 

 of the sage aud other aromatic plants of the same geuus. N.O., Lannaeea:, 

 or Lipworts. Linn^'EAN : 2, JJlandria ; 1, Monogijnia. — This order has 

 several distinctive characters. The stems are four-cornered, the leaves are 

 opjiosite, replete with receptacles of aromatic oil ; the flowers in whorls or 

 opposite cymes, the corolla bilabiate, the upper lip overlapping the lower, 

 which is larger and three-lobed ; the fruits are small nuts enclosed w^ithin 

 the persistent calyx. As they cojne near to borageworts, note should be 

 taken of their square stems and irregular flowers, for borageworts have 

 round stems aud regular flowers. The labiates are natives of temperate 

 regions chiefly, and are very abundant. In the cooler parts of India 

 there are over two hundred species ; they love dry sunny places, as is the 

 case generally w^ith aromatic plants, In the arts they a,re much used, as iu 

 the preparation of perfumes and sauces ; a few are eatable, aud many have 

 valuable medicinal properties. The famous x^atchouli is a labiate ; lavender, 

 mint, horehound, iind rosemary are familiar labiates renowned for their 

 several uses. As regards the rosemary, there can be no question of its power 

 of encouraging the growth of hair, and thereby curing baldness ; it is used 

 also in the manufacture of Hungary water, and contributes iu an especial 

 degree to the pungent aroma of eau de Cologne. The famous Narbonne 

 honey is derived from the flowers of rosemary, which abounds in that district 

 of France. p. 41. 



PULMONARIA, from puliiioiinriiis, in allusion to the spotted 

 leaf and the ancient uses of the plant in medicine. N.O., Buraginirwca.' 

 LiN2f.EiN: 5, Feiitajirlrla ; 1, Monorjyiiiu. — The mention of borage seems to 

 take one into a homely garden, and thence to some homely supper-table. 

 It is, indeed, a most homely plant, and the type of the group to which 

 belongs the pulmonaria. The members of the order are herbs and shrubs 

 with round stems, alternate leaves, and gyrate spikes of flowers, which are 

 four or five divided. The plants of this order come near to labiates, from 

 which they are distinguished by their regular corolla, their five fertile 

 stamens, their round stems, the gyrate inflorescence, and the absence of 

 resinous dots in .the foliage. Their properties are also of a different kind, 

 being soft, emollient, and nitrous, borage especially being of a cool flavour, 

 resembling that of the cucumber or burnet. Amongst the members of 

 the order are the alkanet, forget-me-not, lithosperuum, comfrey, and 

 omphalodes. P- ^^• 



LACHENALIA. reveals its origin if spelt La Chenalia, M. 

 de la Chenal, the botanist, bemg commemorated in the name. N.O., 

 Liliaceoi. P' ''"'■ 



