360 The Natural System of Botany, 



whole winter through. Our other species, V. blattaria, or Moth 

 Mullein, is much prettier, and more graceful. The leaves are 

 more smooth, and the brown and yellow corolla contrasts very 

 handsomely with the purple hairy stamens. The Moth Mul- 

 lein is well deserving of cultivation. Several species are often 

 seen in gardens. The Purple Mullein, V. phosniceum, is well 

 known. It is a handsome plant, and continues in flower a 

 long time. V. formosum is. the most beautiful of the genus, 

 from the large size and brilliant colors of the flowers. It grows 

 from two to four feet high, and is in flQwer in July and August. 

 It came from the Caucasian mountains. The Mulleins require 

 little care in cultivation, being raised from the seed in any 

 common garden soil. 



THE NATURAL SYSTEM OF BOTANY. 



DUMBER TWELVE. 



Class II. — Endogens, or Monocotyledonous Plants. 



Stem, having no distinction of wood, pith, and bark. Leaves, 

 usually with simple, parallel veins, often sheathing at base, 

 and falling off without an articulation. Parts of the flower 

 generally in threes. Embryo with one cotyledon j or, if with 

 two, they are alternate, and very unequal in size. 



Division I. — Petaloidej2. 



In this division the flowers have a calyx or corolla, or both $ 

 or, if these are wanting, the stamens and pistils have no 

 covering. 



Palmje. The Palm Tribe. These are mostly trees with 

 unbranched trunks, large leaves, small, perfect flowers, and 

 usually bearing a drupe or berry. The plants of this order 

 are among the most beautiful and majestic of all vegetables. 

 They are usually found in the tropics, Ex.: Cocos (The 



