SYNOPSIS. ix 



of five sepals and five petals ; the stamens equal in number to the petals or 

 double ; styles thread-like, bearing the stigmas on their internal surface ; 

 fruit a one-celled capsule. In this order occur, in addition to the plants 

 already named, the cerastium, spergula, saponaria, and gypsophila. They 

 are for the most part useless, and also for the most part harmless. It is often 

 stated that the clove of the spice-box is the produce of a caryophyllaceous 

 plant ; but that is a mistake arising out of the name Caryophyllus aromaticus. 

 This is a member of the family of myrtles. It is the spicy odour of the 

 carnation that obtains for it the specific name of Caryophyllus; but the 

 two " cloves " are in the natural system separated by as many as ninety-four 

 orders. p. 33. 



GrEUM, from geo, to stimulate, the roots of some of the species being 

 employed in medicine, and sometimes as substitutes for Peruvian bark. 

 N.O., Rosacea. Linn-ban: 12, Icosandria; 3, Polygynia. — The geum, or 

 avens, is allied to potentilla, and is consequently a near relative of the 

 bramble and strawberry. Instead of producing a succulent receptacle called 

 for convenience a "fruit," the geums and potentillas produce dry carpels. 

 They are of considerable importance, however, on account of the tannic acid 

 of their roots, those of the common avens, or Herb Bennett, being sometimes 

 employed to flavour ale, while the roots of the common tormentil are in the 

 north used in place of hops in brewing. For botanical characters see 

 under "Rosa." p. 37. 



RESEDA, from resedo, to calm, from its supposed healing or sedative 

 properties. N.O., Resedacece. Linn2ean: 11, Dodecandria ; 3, Trigynia. — 

 Although the fragrant mignonette is a native of Egypt, we have two native 

 species of reseda that closely resemble it, but have not its delicious fragrance. 

 The British mignonette is known as Dyer's rocket, having in ancient times 

 been much employed as a green dye. The plants of this order are few in 

 number, and are all of a soft herbaceous character, producing flowers in 

 racemes or spikes. Our garden mignonette is a favourite with the honey- 

 bees, but the honey they obtain from it appears to have no special character. 



p. 41. 



IMPATIENS is explained by touching the ripe seed-pod of any 

 kind of balsam, the elasticity of the valves causing the sudden ejection of 

 the seeds to a considerable distance. N.O., Bahamacem. Lutn-ean: 5, 

 Pentandria ; 1, Monogynia.— The order consists of herbaceous plants, mostly 

 annuals, with irregular flowers. The number five rules in the flower, there 

 being five sepals, five petals, five stamens, five carpels, consolidated into a 

 five-celled ovary, and there are other repetitions of the same number. 

 Although so eccentric in habit, and with flowers irregular in construction, 



