14 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



cal words, which are explained in the following pages. 

 It must be understood that the subject is to be studied 

 upon the evidence of plants, native or exotic, growing 

 in this country, which to common observation may be 

 classed — 1. As tj^ees, that is, hard-wooded plants with a 

 single stem of all sizes. 2. Shrubs, that is, hard-wooded 

 plants having several stems or much-branched single 

 stems, averaging in height from one to fifteen feet. 

 8. Herbs, plants that produce a flower stem direct from 

 the ground, which after perfecting seed dies ; generally- 

 known as herbaceous plants. 4. All kinds of grasses, 

 including corn. 5. Ferns, mosses, muslirooiiis, kc. 



The first four of these divisions comprehend all 

 flowering plants called Phcenogams ; the fifth, flowerless 

 plants known as Cryptogams, the study of which forms 

 a distinct branch of botany ; but I only deem it neces- 

 sary to notice their general character and nature, as 

 given under their respective families. 



The technical terms used in naming and describing 

 the diff'erent parts of plants, called their organs, are 

 individually applied to plants of very different natures, 

 and without regard to size. For example, the word trifo- 

 liate is applied to all plants having three leaflets united, 

 as in clover, strawberry, bramble, and laburnum ; a blade 

 of grass an inch in length is linear, as are also the long 

 leaves of the sugar-cane. The fruit of the currant is 

 globose, so is that of the lai'gest pumpkin. Mathe- 

 matical terms, as round, oval, triangular, cylindrical, 

 &c., must be understood to be used in a comparative 

 sense only ; it should also be noted that all the parts or 

 organs are liable to vary in form in plants of the same 

 kind. Many forms do not well agree with general defini- 

 tions ; this is especially the case in roots, stems, and 

 fruits; some families, such as orchids, require special 



