THE CONSTITUENT PARTS OF FLOWERS, 
THE fault of all Botanical Works, as far as I am able 
to judge, is, that they crowd at once too many ideas 
upon the learner, who soon gets out of his depth ; but as 
the highest eminences are mounted in time, by means of 
a ladder, so we conduct our reader, step by step, until he 
will be able at last to grasp the whole Science. The 
mode of Analysts and Synthesis will be pursued, 
as far as it can be done, and we shall proceed on from 
general ideas to particular ones, as the most clear and 
certain method of acquiring real knowledge. Thus after 
our Analysis, proceeds the 
SYNTHESIS, viz. 
FLOWERS, although apparently so diversified, con- 
sist but of eight parts. 
L The Pistil (Pz6'/f//M??z), in the centre of the flower* 
IL The Stamen (^Stamen), exterior to this. 
Both these are projecting bodies, beiog extensions (according to 
LiNN-T.us) the Jirst, of the pith ; and the second^ of the wood. 
The Pistil is discriminated by a swollen bane, which is the seed-vessel, 
or GEKMEX, which being opened discloses the seeds. 
The Stamen is discriminated by having a part which forms and contains 
coloured /flr//ia, or pollen^ hence called an anthe r by Botanists. 
A. perfect or complete Pistil is composed of three Parts: — 
1. The Stigma (Stigma), at top, never absent, though some- 
times obscure. 
2. The Style (Sti/lus), elevates the Stigma, not absolutely 
essential. 
3. The Geiimen (Germen), or seed-vessel^ ahvays present. 
