WATSJDE WEEDS;. 47 



stamens'.will not tax your patience' fimcli./ Probably, 

 before your examination has proceeded thus far^ you 

 ■frill, have inade:the discovery that the petals of this 

 tribe of plants are' by no means equal in size, in all 

 cases, and, if, you. have examined closely, that they, 

 have frequently a peculiar turning in — inflection — 

 at the top (Mg. 37).. Wei could say much respeot-j 

 ingthe- seeds (Fig. 37) of this extensive plant family,, 

 but that belongs to the fruit: department; only,, 

 if you have opportunity, glance; at them now when 

 somewhat advanced towards ripening: A very cur-r 

 sory examination will show you how different the' 

 small, double, ribbed, and often aromatic seed is 

 from those' which, have hitherto* come under our 

 notice. The caraway seed, is an excellent specimen., 

 Many drugs and aromatics, and vegetables such asi 

 carrot, parsnip, celery, parsley, are> yielded to us by 

 the umbekbearers., 



, Scarcely would it be possible to place in your 

 hand representatives of orders of plants more im- 

 portant or' more interesting than the triad of which, 

 we have endeavoured to. give you some idea, and 

 perhaps we could not well select orders possessing' 

 characters more likely to impress themselves upon 

 the' mind, of a beginner in; the study of botany., 

 Jjook,, then, again and again at the pea tribe: 

 flowers, or weeds if you will, Ett those of the roses 

 and of the umbel bearers, for they are most dis- 

 tinct and natural in their markings, and well calcu- 



