26 
GENERAL EEMAEKS. 
nauseous smell : such plants are poisonous, as the water-hemlock. Umbelliferous 
plants which grow in dry places, usually have an aromatic smell, and are not poi- 
sonous, as caraway and fennel. Plants with labiate corollas, and containing their 
seeds in capsules, are often poisonous, as the foxglove (Digitalis) ; also, such as con- 
tain a milky juice, unless they are compound flowers. Such plants as have horned 
or hooded nectaries, as the columbine and monk's-hood, are mostly poisonous 
Among plants Avliich are seldom poisonous, are the compound flowers, as the dande- 
lion and boneset ; such as have labiate corollas, with seeds lying naked in the 
calyx, are seldom or never poisonous ; the mint and thyme are examples of such 
plants. The Papilionaceous flowers, as the pea and bean ; the Cruciform, as the 
radish and mustard, are seldom found to be poisonous. Such plants as have their 
stamens standing on the calyx, as the rose and apple, are never poisonous ; neither 
the gi-ass-hke plants with glume calyxes, as wheat, rye, and orchard-grass (Dactylis). 
27. Proper Flovjers for Analysis. — In selecting flowers for analysis, we must 
never take double ones ; the stamens (and in many cases the pistils also) change to 
petals by cultivation, therefore we cannot know by a double flower, how many 
stamens or pistils belong to it in its natural state. Some botanists seem to view 
with jealousy the changes made by culture, in the natural characters of plants ; 
they call double flowers, and variegated ones, produced by a mixture of difterent 
species, monsters and deformities. These are harsh expressions to be applied to 
roses and carnations, which our taste must lead us to admire, as intrinsically beauti 
ful, although their relative beauty, as subservient to scientific illustration, is cor 
tainly destroyed by the labor of the florist. The love of native wild-flowers is no 
doubt greatly hightened by the habit of seeking tliem out, and observing them in 
their peculiar situations. A botanist, at the discovery of some lowly plant, grow- 
ing by the side of a brook, or almost concealed in the cleft of a rock, will often ex- 
perience more vivid delight than could be produced by a view of the most splendid 
exotic. Botanical pursuits render us interested in every vegetable production: 
even such as we before looked upon as useless, present attractions as objects oi 
scientific investigation, and become associated with the pleasing recollections, 
arising from the gratification of our love of knowledge. A peculiar interest is given 
to conversation by an acquaintance with any of the natural sciences; and when 
females shall have more generally obtained access to these delightful sources of 
pure enjoyment, we may hope that scandal, which oftener proceeds from a want ol 
better subjects, than from malevolence of disposition, shall cease to be regarded aa 
a characteristic of the sex. It is important to the cause of science, that it should 
become fashionable ; and as one means of effecting this, the parlors of those ladies 
who have advantages for intellectual improvement, should more frequently exliibit 
specimens of their own scientific taste. It is unfortunately too mucli the case, tliat 
female ingenuity (especially in the case of young ladies after leaving school) is in a 
great degree directed to trivial objects, which have no reference either to utility, 
or to moral and intellectual improvement. But a taste for scientific pursuits once 
acquired, a lady will feel that she has no time for engagements which neither tend 
to the good of others, nor to make herself wiser or better. 
Mannr.rof taking impres.'iions of leaves. — Hold oiled paper over the smoke of a lamp until it be- 
comes darkened ; to this paper apply the leaf, having previously warmed it between the hands, that it 
may be pliant. Place the lower surface of the leaf ujjon the blackened pa[)er, that the numerous veins 
which run through its extent, and which are so prominent on this side, may receive from the paper a 
portion of the smoke. Press the leaf upon the paper by |ilacing upon it some thin paper, and rubbing 
the fingers gently over it, so that every part of tlie leaf may come in contact with tlie sooted oil-paper. 
Then remove the leaf, and place tiie sooted side upon clean white paper, pressing it gently as before ; 
npon removing the leaf, the paper will present a delicate and jierfect outline, together with an accurate 
exhibition of the veins, wiiicli extend in every direction through it, more correct and beautiful than tha 
finest drawing. 
Mf. Double flowers not proper for analysis — Effect of botanical pursuits — Of an acqaaiataiwe witfc 
aoy ©f the natural sciences. — Female ingenuity too often directed to trivial objects. 
