ANALYSIS OF THE POPPY. 
tleft,' * contracted toward the top 'petals 5' (this is always the case with 
a rose in its natural state, unassisted by cultivation) ; ' seeds numerous, bristly, fixed 
to the sides of the calyx within.'' There is no seed-vessel, or proper pericarp, "to the 
Rose ; but the calyx swells, and becomes a dry, red berry, containing many seeds. 
b. The genus Rosa contains many species, distinguished one from another by the 
different shape of the germ, the smoothness or roughness of the stems, the presence 
or absence of thorns, the shape of the leaves, and the manner in which the flowers 
grow upon the stalks, whether solitary, crowded together in pairs, or scattered, and 
whether they are erect or drooping. The Moss-rose (Rosa muscosa) is distinctly 
marked by the hairs resembling moss, which cover the stems of the calyx ; these 
hairs are a collection of glands containing a resinous and fragrant fluid. 
G. The apple-blossom appears like a little rose ; its calyx becomes thick and 
pulpy, and at length constitutes that part which we usually call the fruit, though, 
strictly speaking, the seed only is the fruit. On examining an apple the five di- 
visions of the calyx appear at the end opposite the stem, 
17. The Poppy .affords a good illustration of the 12th class, Polyandria; here are 
numerous stamens, always more than ten, sometimes more than a hundred, growing 
upon the receptacle ; the Poppy has but one pistil, and therefore belongs to the 
first order, Monogynia ; the genus is Pap aver. The Poppy has a ' calyx of tioo 
leaves or sepals^ but these fall ofT as soon as the blossom expands, and are there- 
fore called ' caducous ;' the corolla (except when double) ' is four-petaled ;' it has 
no style, but the stigma is set upon the large ovary, and is therefore said to be 
sessile. 
a. The ovary is somewhat oblong, the stigma is flat and radiated. The pericarp 
is one-celled, it opens at the top, by pores, when the seeds are ripe. The species 
of Papaver which is cultivated in gardens (o/)m?w-poppy) is the somniferum, which 
name signifies to produce sleep. 
b. The analysis of even a few flowers cannot fail of suggesting thoughts of the 
beauty of a system which so curiously identifies the different plants described by 
botanists, and points to each individual of the vegetable family the place it must 
occupy. 
18. In the commencement of a new science, it is not to be expected that every 
idea, or principle of arrangement, will seem perfectly clear, as such may often re- 
late to principles not yet explained. It would be impossible to form a clear idea 
of the use or beauty of a particular part of an edifice, except considered in its re- 
lation to the wliole. The beginner, in any branch of scientific knowledge, is not 
like one traveling a straight road, where every step is so much ground actually 
gained ; but the views which he takes are like the faint sketches of a painter, 
which gradually brighten, and grow more definite as he advances. It is by some 
supposed that students sliould learn perfectly every thing as they proceed ; but 
this idea appears to be founded upon a wrong view both of the nature of the mind, 
and of the sciences. The memory may be so disciplined as to retain a multitude 
of words, but words are only valuable as instruments of conveying knowledge to 
the mind ; and if, after a careful attention to a subject, some parts may appeal 
obscure, the student must not be discouraged ; the subject may be connected with 
something which is to follow, therefore he should patiently proceed, in the ex 
pectation that difficulties will gradually disappear. 
a. The student is now supposed to be prepared to analyze flowers of any of the 
first thirteen classes ; but it is necessary, before proceeding further, to remark, that 
the two circumstances of the number and insertion of the stamens, are not all tliat 
are to be considered, in the arrangement of the classes. 
19. It is necessary to commit to memory the Latin and Greek numerals, to 
understand the names given to the classes and orders. It is not in Botany alone, 
that a knowledge of these numerals is useful ; many words in common use are com- 
pounded with them ; as, uniform, from unus, one, and forma, form ; — octagon, from 
octo, eight, and gonia, an angle, hexagon, pentagon, <kc. 
b. Circumstances which distinguish the different species of the genus Rosa. — e. Apple-blossom ar i 
fcuit.— 17. Analysis of the Popi)y— The analysis of a few flowers useful.— 18. Remarks.-~ Words of 
»se only as instruments.— a. Remark. 
