( 77 ) 
fubdivifion of one of his orders which derive 
their character from the number of ftamens. 
In common broom (fpartium fcoparium) the 
ten filaments are all united ; they, however, 
might, perhaps, with more propriety, be 
termed two fets than thofe of the pea, five of 
the ftamens obvioufly rifmg a quarter of an 
inch above the other five. There is a curious 
circumftance refpe&ing thefe flowers which 
is worth attending to: the upper fet of males, 
or ftamens, does not arrive at maturity fo 
foon as the lower ; and the ftigma, or head 
g( the female, is produced amongft the upper 
or immature fet; but as foon as the piftil 
grows tall enough to burft open the keel- 
leaf, or hood of the flower, it bends itfelf 
round in an inftant like a French horn, and 
inferts it's head, or ftigma, amongft the lower 
or mature fet of ftamens., as may be feen by 
touching the keel-leaf ; the piftil continues to 
grow in length, and in a few days arrives 
again amongft the upper fet by the time they 
become mature. This wonderful facl we 
owe to the accurate refearch of the much- 
lamented author of the Botanic Garden^ 
to whom the world is indebted for an ex- 
ten five variety of knowledge, both amufing 
and 
