AUTUMNAL FLOWERS. 
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dens. Among native plants we now find the Asclepias, or milk- 
weed, affording a good example of the class Gynandria. The 
little bell-flower, (Campanula,) may be seen nodding over the 
brows of the rocks. 
The brilliant laurel, (Kalmia,) is now in bloom, also the mul- 
lein, affording a good illustration of the class Pentandria. The 
climbing virgin’s-bower, (Clematis,) hangs in graceful clusters 
of white flowers from the boughs of shrubs and trees. The 
curious side-saddle-flower, (Sarhacenia,) which was described 
under the class Polyandria, is now to be found in swamps and 
wet grounds. 
More flowers are in blossom just before the summer solstice, 
than during any period of the year, until the blossoming of the 
autumnal plants. The hot breath of summer seems to wither 
the expanded flowers, the earlier ones fade away, and the late 
ones do not immediately come forward ; it would seem as if the 
earth having poured forth for so long a time in rapid succession, 
innumerable treasures, now required a suspension of her efforts ; 
but soon, with recovered energy, she begins to spread forth new 
beauties in great profusion and brilliancy. 
LECTURE XL. 
Autumnal Flowers — Evergreens — Ancient Superstition respect- 
ing Plants — Various Phenomena of Plants. 
The autumnal flowers, are mostly in their appearance, unlike 
those which we find in the earlier part of the season. Few 
examples of the compound flowers occur, until the latter part 
of July and beginning of August ; this is fortunate for students 
just commencing the analysis of plants; were they to find only 
the compound flowers at first, they would be discouraged in the 
commencement of the study ; but nature seems kindly to lead 
them on step by step, reserving the more difficult plants until 
they have had an opportunity of becoming familiar with the 
easier classes. 
There is little difficulty in learning to distinguish the diffe- 
rent families of compound flowers ; as an aster from a solidago, 
or a helianthus. But some of these families contain many spe- 
cies ; and the chief difficulty consists not in finding the genus, 
but in determining the species with accuracy. Indeed it is not 
Alter this period flowers for a short time less numerous — Autumnal flow- 
ers — Fortunate for tho student that the compound flowers do not occur 
early in the season. — 
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