Class 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 em- 

 bryo, or from a notch in its summit. 



The above characters are all that can be said to be constant to sepa- 

 rate 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. THE RANUNCULUS FAMILY. RANUNCULACEJE. 



Herbs with alternate or radical leaves, or, in one genus, climbers 

 with opposite leaves, the leaf-stalk in both cases 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 sometimes 

 either deformed or very minute, or altogether wanting. Stamens 

 indefinite, usually numerous, inserted on the receptacle. Carpels 

 several, distinct or partially united (very rarely reduced to a single 

 one), each bearing a distinct style and 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 character may be somewhat vague, yet the great ma- 

 vol. i. n 



