38 The Geranium. 



form of an infusion, sweetened with sugar or honey ; or the 

 simple expressed juice, which is undoubtedly the best for its ex- 

 hibition, is given in doses from two to four ounces. A poultice 

 is sometimes formed of the flowers; which is the last use to 

 which the plant is applied, as the distilled water, syrup and ex- 

 tract, have gone into oblivion. Mrs. Whitman writes : 



Near where yon rocks the stream inurn, 



The lonely gentian blossoms still ; 

 Still wave the Star-flower and the fern, 



O'er the soft outline of the hill. 



The Geranium. 



The natural order of Geranacea? comprises a numerous family 

 of herbs and shrubs, which are commonly strongly scented, as 

 the foliage of them all abounds with an aromatic, resinous mat- 

 ter, and an etherial oil. They belong to the class Monadelphia, 

 and were formerly included under one common name in the 

 same genus ; but succeeding botanists have separated them into 

 three distinct genera, under different orders, which are known as 

 follows : 



The genus Erodium (Heron's Bill) has five stamens; 

 calyx five-leaved ; petals five ; scales five, alternate with the fila- 

 ments, and honey-glands at the base of the stamens ; arils or 

 corri, five, one-seeded, awned, at the base of a rostrate or beaked 

 receptacle. 



The Pelargoniums (Stork's Bill) have seven stamens ; 

 calyx five-parted, the upper segment ending in a nectariferous 

 tube, running down the peduncle or flower-stalk ; corolla five- 

 petalled, irregular, the two upper petals unusually broad, with 

 colored veins ; the filaments are ten, of which three are usually 

 without anthers. 



The Geraniums (Crane's Bill) have ten stamens; calyx 

 five-leaved ; petals five, regular ; glands five, honey-bearing, and 

 united at the base of the longer filaments. 



The first consists of hardy plants, with little in the way of 

 beauty to recommend them. The second is a native of the 



