296 
BOTANICAL TERMS. 
but which is more properly considered as two 
opposite vertieillasters : the different kinds of 
mint afford illustrations. 
Triad* Iphous ; when the stamens are united 
into three bundles : this is the case in some of 
the species of Hypericum. 
Trianchous ; having three stamens : this 
peculiarity distinguishes the third Linnasan 
class Triandria. 
TrigynousJ having three styles or stigmas. 
Tabes the lower part of a monopetalous 
corolla ; the tube may be seen in the flowers 
of the Phlox. 
Umbel J applied to a head of flowers when 
the pedicels all proceed from a single point : 
when each pedicel bears a single flower, the 
umbel is simple, but if divided and bearing 
other umbels, it is compound ; in the latter 
case, the assemblage is called a universal 
umbel, and each separate umbellule, or little 
umbel, a partial umbel; the latter are sup- 
ported by pedicels or little stalks called radii. 
In the garden-fennel the universal and partial 
umbels may be readily distinguished. 
L nguis ; the claw or narrow base of a 
petal ; some petals, as those of the rose, have 
no claw. 
Unguicidate (unguicidatus) ■; having a 
claw ; applied to distinguish such petals as are 
clawed from those which are not. 
Urceolute (urceolatus) ; pitcher-shaped ; 
differing from bell-shaped in having the orifice 
contracted : the flowers of many of the heaths 
are pitcher-shaped, so are those of the vacci- 
niums, arbutuses, andromedas, &c. 
Urceolus ; same as perigynum. 
Valves ; the bracts which compose the 
flowers of grasses are so called ; so are the 
parts into which the anther-cells of such plants 
as bear them separate, when they burst to dis- 
charge the pollen. 
Velum; the veil or horizontal membrane 
which connects the margin of the pileus or 
cup with the stalk which bears it, when in an 
undeveloped state, as seen in the mushroom 
when young. 
Versatile (versatilis) ; applied to anthers 
when loosely united to the filament by their 
centre, so that they swing lightly on a sort of 
pivot. 
Verticillaster ; applied to ahead of flowers 
when arranged as a cyme, but consisting of 
a very few flowers. 
Vex ilium ; the standard in papilionaceous 
flowers. 
Wings; the lateral petals of a papiliona- 
ceous flower. 
Whorl (verticillus) ; an arrangement of 
several flowers opposite each other, around 
the stem ; the same term is applied to a 
similar arrangement in leaves. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
From' Her Majesty to the humblest of her 
humble subjects, the love of flowers seems 
engrafted on our very nature, and young as 
well as old imbibe it rapidly. The infant will 
stretch forth its hand for a daisy or a butter- 
cup, and children of every growth gather them 
with a delight scarcely describable. Of late 
years the taste has been indulged in to such 
an extent by all classes, that there is no fete 
of any importance can take place without 
flowers forming the principal decorations, nor 
is it usual for ladies of any standing to appear 
at the theatre or at balls without their nose- 
gays. Her Majesty on her journeys has been 
again and again presented with flowers. Every 
gentleman who would pay a compliment to a 
lady will, if he be wise, present her with a 
nosegay. Every lady who would have it ap- 
pear that she is not absolutely neglected must 
procure a bouquet ; hopeless is that maiden 
considered who appears in public assemblies 
without a few blossoms of some kind. The 
time of year is no longer admitted as an excuse 
for the absence of nature's favourite gifts ; for 
now flowers can be obtained at all seasons ; 
and despite biting frosts, knee-deep snows, 
and north-east winds, abundance may be pro- 
cured as easily (though not so cheaply) in 
winter months as in the palmy days of summer, 
and hence it becomes merely a question of 
expense. In this country and in Paris a few 
sprigs of bloom is as much as is required, and 
even for that any gentleman disposed to be 
liberal may sometimes spend a guinea. In 
some places the nosegays are too large to carry. 
Flowers, flowers, flowers are the gifts, the 
only really complimentary offerings that can 
be made, without the possibility of offending 
the highest lady in the land. Let us, how- 
ever, admonish the sellers of cut flowers that 
there is yet room for improvement in the 
quality of those offered in general, and those 
who grow for the purpose of supplying them 
should recollect that common, ordinary flowers, 
are not suited to the present day. There are 
plenty of good things that can be grown, and 
they ought to be grown. For even those who 
are unacquainted with flowers begin to see the 
difference between good and bad subjects ; 
and there is as much difference in their use 
fulness for a bouquet, as there is in tinsel and 
gold. Let us observe one property alone — 
the capacity for keeping. The geranium is 
in this particular exceedingly deficient, how- 
ever much it may be tolerated for its beauty 
the short time it does last ; but compare it 
with others of a more permanent character, 
and it becomes almost beneath notice. Wall- 
flowers and stocks are soft flabby subjects, 
though in this case the perfume redeems them. 
Lupins of all kinds are short-lived, and have 
