Cuass I. DICOTYLEDONS. 
SteM, when perennial, consisting of a pith in the centre, of 
one or more concentric circles containing fibrous tissue, and of 
the bark on the outside. Seeds with two cotyledons, the young 
stem in germination proceeding from between the two lobes of 
the embryo, or from a notch in its-‘summit. 
The above characters are all that can be said to be constant to separate 
Dicotyledons from Monocotyledons. They are however in most cases very 
difficult to observe, and yet the distinction is essential, for these two great 
classes have each their peculiar aspect, which, after a very little habit, the 
botanist will in most cases recognize at a glance. All British trees and 
shrubs are Dicotyledons, so also are all plants with opposite, or whorled, or 
netted-veined leaves (except Paris and a few aquatic plants), and almost. 
all those which have the parts of the flower in fours, fives, or eights. 
I. RANUNCULACEZ. THE RANUNCULUS FAMILY. 
Herbs with alternate or radical leaves, or, in one genus, 
climbers with opposite leaves, the leafstalk generally dilated at 
the base without stipules, the leaf often cut, and the flowers 
solitary or in terminal racemes or panicles. Sepals distinct, 
more than 2 (usually 5). Petals distinct, usually 5, but some- 
times deformed or very minute, or wanting. Stamens indefinite, 
usually numerous, inserted on the receptacle. Carpels several, 
distinct or partially united (very rarely solitary), each enclosing 
a single cell, with one or more ovules or seeds attached to the 
base or to the inner angle of the cavity. Seed containing a 
copious albumen, with a minute embryo. 
_ Although, from the variable nature of the flowers, especially of the petals, 
_the above characters may be somewhat vague, yet the great majority of 
Ranunculacee are easily distinguished by their numerous, free, hypogynous 
stamens, and by their distinct carpels. Where, as in Myosurus, the stamens 
are few, the carpels are numerous; and, on the other hand, if in dct@a and 
some Delphinia the carpels are solitary, they are unilateral, with the ovules 
attached to one side or angle of their single cell, showing that they are 
simple, not composed of the union of several, as is the case with the central 
ovaries of Papaveraceeé and Cistacee, which have either several cells or 
several rows of ovules. Another very distant Order, which may at first 
sight be confounded with the present one, is that of Alismacee, among 
Monocotyledons; but besides the microscopical character derived from the 
iy B 
