164 
NATURAL FAMILIES. 
(Palma,) -which have a corolla deeply parted into 6 segments, 
the 3 outer ones being the smallest. The stamens and pistils 
are on separate plants ; the number of stamens is usually 6 ; the 
filaments are often united at their base. The germ is superior, 
or above the calyx. The fruit is a berry or fibrous dnipe, the 
albumen of which is at first tender and eatable, and at last, be- 
comes 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 ; in treating of endogynous stems 
this peculiarity was observed. The leaves of palms appear in a 
terminal tuft, alternate and sheathing. Palms live to a great age; 
they are the product of tropical regions, and afford valuable food. 
Liliaceous plants, (Liliaca) consist of six petals, spreading 
gradually from the base, and exhibiting a kind of bell-form ap- 
pearance, but differing from the bell-form flowers in being pol- 
ypetalous. The number of stamens in these plants is generally 6, 
sometimes but three ; they are usually alternate with the petals. 
The germ of the liliaceous plants is always of a triangular 
form, and contains 3 cells ; the roots are mostly bulbous. The 
lily has a scaly bulb, the onion a tunicated or coated bulb, the 
tulip has a root which seems almost solid and tuberous. 
The calyx is mostly wanting in the liliaceous plants, the 
stems are simple, without branches, the leaves entire, and ner- 
ved. To this family belong the tulip, lily, crown-imperial, dog- 
tooth-violet, &c Plants of this natural family usually belong 
to the artificial class Hexandria ; the crocus, having three sta- 
mens, belongs to the the class Triandria. 
Asparagi. We find in this class, which you will recollect 
contains plants with one cotyledon, and with stamens growing 
around the germ, a family called asparagi, from asparagus, one 
of its most important genera. The family asparagi is distin- 
guished by monopetalous corollas, divided into (5 segments. The 
fruit is mostly pulpy and contains 3 cells. This family con- 
tains the genus Convallaria (lily of the valley) Trillium, &c. 
Narcissi. The family Narcissi contains the genus Narcis- 
sus Amaryllis, Hypoxis, Pontederia, &c. Their 6 stamens are 
inserted into the tube of the corolla. Their roots are mostly 
bulbous. 
Irides. This family is so named from Iris, one of the most 
important genera. The leaves in this family are alternate, sheath- 
ing, and sword-shaped (ensiform.) The flowers arc often attend- 
ed by sheaths of tw T o valves. We find here the Ixia and Sysi- 
rinchium. 
Family of palms describcd—Liliaceous plants— Asparagi— Narcissi— Irides. 
