28 
NATURAL ORDERS. 
Ovary one-seeded, often surrounded by bristles. Examples. Carex, Cyperus, 
Scirpus, (^c. 
11. Gramine'^. Tlie Grasses. This is a very important family. The flowers 
have generally three stamens and one germ. The embryo is small and attach- 
ed to a farinaceous albumen. In germinating, the cotyledon remains attache'' 
to the albumen and nourishes the plume. The roots are fibrous and capillar 
The culms are cylindrical, hollow, or pithy. The flower and calyx consist ot 
scales, called glumes. The chaffy jiower, single seed, mealy albumen, situation 
o f the embryo, and method of germination, distinguish, in a peculiar manner, this 
family. Properties: farinaceous, valuable as food for men and animals, Exam- 
Dies : wheat, meadow-grass, sugar-cane, (See Plate 2. Fig. 2, and Plate 4. Fig. 6.) 
Class III. Monocotyledons. 
Stamens perigynous (around the germ.) Fruits with three cells. Embryo small, with a la? ge 
albumen. 
12. Pal"m.s;. The Palm tribe. This family is a native of warm climates. 
The flowers are often dioecious. (See Areca oleracea, Plate 1. Fig. 1.) The 
number of stamens is usually six ; the filaments are often united at the base. 
The germ is superior; corolla deeply parted into six segments, the three outer 
ones being smallest. The germ is superior. The fruit is a berry or a fibrous 
drupe, the albumen of which is, at first, tender and eatable, and at last becomes 
hard. The stems of palms are usually undivided, lofty, and round; they are 
not composed of concentric circles, being endogenous or growing internally; 
they are scaly from the remains of the indurated foot-stalks of leaves. The 
leaves of palms appear in a terminal tuft, alternate and sheathing. 
13. Lilia'ce.e. Lily-like plaids. Six petals spreading gradually from the base^ 
and exhibiting a bell-form appearance, but differing from the campanulate flow- 
ers in being polypetalous. The number of stamens is generally six, sometimes 
but three, usually alternate with the petals. The germ is always of a triangu- 
lar form, and contains three cells ; the roots are mostly bulbous. The calyx is 
usually wanting; the stems are simple, without branches ; the leaves entire, and 
nerved. To this family belong the tulip, lily, crown-imperial, dog-tooth violet, 
&c. Plants of this natural family usually belong to the artificial class, Hexan- 
dria; the Crocus and Ixia, having 3 stamens, belong to the class Triandria. 
(Plate 7. Fig. 4.) 
14. Aspar^agi. Asparagus-like plants. Corolla, monopetalous, 6-parted. Sta- 
mens six. Fruit a berry, superior, 3-celled. Roots fasciculated. Examples: 
Asparagus and Convallaria, (See Plate 1. Fig, 3, for a plant of this family.) 
15. Narcis'si. Roots mostly bulbous. Leaves sessile, elongated, alternate ; rad- 
ical leaves sheathing. Flowers with spathas ; panicled, corymbed or solitary. 
Perianth, which is usually called a corolla, 6-parted. Stamens 6, inserted into 
the tube of the perianth. Style 1, Stigma simple or 3-parted, Capsule 3-celledj 
3-valved, or 3-parted. Seed with a perisperm. Examples : Narcissus and Ga- 
Ian thus. 
16. iRiDE'iB. Iris-like plants. Root tuberous. Leaves sessile, alternate, equi- 
tant, compressed, ensiform. Flowers with spathas. Perianth petal-like, 6-part- 
ed, 3 internal, 3 external. Stamens 3. Style 1. Stigmas 3, often petaloid. 
Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded. Examples: Iris, Gladiolus. Roots 
useful in dropsical complaints, antiscorbutic. (Plate 6. Fig. 6.) 
17. Jun,:e''.s;. The Rush tribe. Flowers imperfect, glumaceous. Lea\'es 
fistular, or flat and channelled, with parallel veins. Examples : Juncus, Luzula. 
The leaves are used for bottoming chairs. Medicinal properties doubtful. 
(Plate 8. Fig. 7.) 
18. BROME'LiiG. Pine-apple tribe. Leaves radical, ensiform, caniculate. 
Srape short. Fruit a sorose, ovate succulent, surmounted with a crown ol 
leaves. Examples: Bromelia, Agave. (See Plate 5. Fig. 3.) 
19. Asphode'li. Asphodel tribe. Stamens 6; corolla 6-parted ; germ 3-celled. 
Roots bulbous, or fasciculated. Examples: Onion, Hyacinth. Properties: 
acrid and stimulating. 
20. Commeli'neje. The Spider-wort tribe. Examples: Tradescantia, Com- 
melina. Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually sheathing at the base. This 
family is taken from Junceae. 
21. Alisma'ce^. The Arrow-head tribe. Examples : Sagittaria, Alisma 
Taken from Juncea;. (Plate 3. Figs. 4, 5.) 
