98 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



the number of from twenty to thirty parts — 

 little thread-like organs terminating in a pair 

 of membranous cases, containing minute 

 granules. In this tribe the cases turn their 

 openings, which are vertical slits, outwards — 

 an observation which, minute as it seems, is 

 not unworthy of attention. 



The remaining parts are the seed-bearing 

 leaves, which, in this flower, number six or 

 eight, representing two circles. 



The common form of the organ is, to have 

 its extremity lengthened out and glandular 

 at the tip ; whilst the germs are borne on the 

 margin of the transformed leaf which folds 

 on itself, uniting at the edge — often the 

 pressure allows but a single germ to come to 

 perfection. It is very common for the 

 several organs of this kind belonging to one 

 flower to be combined by pressure from 

 without into one mass, forming a compound 

 seed-vessel; occasionally, all but one are 

 suppressed, in which case we have a single 

 simple seed-vessel, such as in the pea-pod. 



In the case before us, all the parts of all 

 the circles remain separate, which is charac- 

 teristic of the great natural family to which 

 it belongs ; but instead of the numerous, 

 single-seeded, closely-fitting seed vessels, 

 giving the idea of so many naked seeds, of 

 many of its allies, our plant has six or eight 

 pods, each with several seeds ; thus showing 

 itself to belong to the section of the Helle- 

 bores. Within each seed the infant germ, 

 which is very minute, is enfolded in a fleshy 

 substance, called, from a supposed resem- 

 blance in nature to the white of an egg, 

 albumen, which is altogether wanting in many 

 seeds, and of which the absence or presence 

 is noted as of great importance. 



There is an underground stem, from 

 beneath which the root fibres proceed ; 

 swelled at the buds, and which increases so 

 as to make the plant easy to introduce. The 

 leaves rise out of the ground on their own 

 peculiar stalks, and each consists of several 

 pieces spread equally around a centre. It is 

 a native of various parts of Europe, chiefly 

 towards the south — as in France, Switzerland, 

 Austria, and Italy. Few gardens are withont 

 it, and none ought to be; since it is at the 

 same time pretty in itself, easily procured, 

 and, in the earliness of its flowering season, 

 possesses a rare and much-prized charm. 



The botanical name is Eranthis hyeraalis. 

 These botanical names frighten away many 

 persons from the study of flowers ; yet they 

 are really a great assistance, and without 

 them no one could acquire or retain a 

 knowledge of any considerable number of 

 plants. Common vernacular names are often 

 uncertain in their application, often merely 

 local ; of no use in communicating with 

 foreigners, and of no assistance in connecting 

 the particular species in our memories, with 



its allies, or enabling us to refer it to its place 

 in a general system ; without which our best 

 observations would be a mass of confusion, 

 and we could hardly be said to have advanced 

 a step in the knowledge of Nature. English 

 names, if made precise enough to be of any 

 use, become stiff and formal ; and quite as 

 difficult as those which equally belong to all 

 the world. The two names which we apply 

 to an object, tell us the family to which it 

 immediately belongs, and its own distinctive 

 appellation. 



When the instructed botanist hears the 

 names we have announced, he remembers 

 that Eranthis is a small family ; or to use the 

 scientific term, a genus, closely allied to 

 Helleborus, with which it agrees in its regular 

 flower, and in its interior floral envelope or 

 circle of petals assuming the form of honey- 

 cups ; whilst the green leafy circle under the 

 flower, the fading and falling outer floral 

 circle or calyx, and a little difference in the 

 shape and arrangement of the seeds, are 

 thought to justify its having a name of its 

 own. 



The hellebores, with the columbines, 

 larkspurs,and monks'-hoods, form the tribe of 

 the Helleboracece, which is one of the leading 

 divisions of the great natural order of Ra- 

 nunculacece, including, with other families, 

 those well-known ones, Clematis, Anemone, 

 Ranunculus, and Pceonia. 



All this, which occurs at once to the 

 memory of the well-informed botanist, is 

 easily learned from books even by a beginner ; 

 and by taking the trouble to look over a few 

 descriptions, and compare a few plates with 

 living specimens, he sees what is common to 

 all the allies, and forms the conception of a 

 distinct natural group with which the little 

 subject of these remarks is thenceforth con- 

 nected. 



W. Hincks, F.L.S. 



SONNET. 



TO A YOUTH. 



Why should the young despair, or turn aside, 

 As through lost fortitude, from seeking good ? 

 Take courage, Youth ! pursue the paths pur- 

 sued 

 By all who virtue love. Truth be thy guide ! 

 What though with much temptation straitly 

 tried ? 

 Temptations have been, and may be withstood. 

 'Tis better to subdue than be subdued ; 

 O'er self to triumph is man's proper pride. 

 Why should the young despond? — they have not 

 felt 

 The soul grow stern, the world become a void. 

 Sweet influences still their hearts can melt ; 

 Theirs, too, are treasures they have ne'er em- 

 ployed ; 

 Science and thought with them have never dwelt, 



HOW MUCH OF LIFE REMAINS TO BE ENJOYED ! 



