47 
This tribe of plants is subdivided by some authors into 
uch as have both a general and partial Involucre, 
uch as have only a partial one, and such as have none 
t all ; but as the Involucres are not very constant, 
nd in some species are apt to fall off, and as the 
orollas, stamens, and pistils, are so much alike as to 
iFord but little assistance in the determination of the 
enera and species, the student is desired to pay par- 
cular attention to the seeds, which furnish the most 
unequivocal generic characters, and often come power- 
(illy in aid of the specific character. On this account, 
, is necessary when examining these to gather some 
pecimens in which the seeds are nearly ripe, and others 
ut just opening into flowers. 
The umbelliferous plants in dry situations are aromatic 
\d carminative ; in moist ones, acrid, and sometimes 
)isonous. The greatest virtues are contained in the 
eds and roots. Many of them are eaten at our tables, 
i the roots of Carrot and Parsnep, and the leaves 
Celery. The seeds of Coriander and Cara- 
AY are used in confectionary. 
ii Class VL Hexandria, contains the natural tribe 
if the LILIES [Liliaceoi), 
\\ 
The flowers of this class contain six stamens, all of the 
t 
me length, whereas in the Tetrad yn ami a class, the 
^imens though six in number, are unequal in lengthy 
of them being long, and S of them short ; but as the 
si'' . 
fference in their length is not always very obvious, it 
W further be remarked, that in the Hexandria class, 
ne of the flowers have 4 petals, as is the case with all 
"ose of the class Tetra^ynamia. 
