11 
transversely or longitudinally, by pores or otherwise, their 
form, surface, colour, size; the proportion they bear to 
the size of the filament, the number of their valves, the 
nature of the connective. 
The its colour, whether cohering or distinct. 
The Disk and llypogynous glands if present, their figure, 
texture, and station. 
The Ovanf^ its apparent as well as theoretical structure; the 
position of its carpels with respect to the organs around 
it ; its surface ; mode of division ; number of ribs, if any ; 
veins, cells, ovules, their number; insertion upon the 
placenta; position with respect to the axis of the ovary; 
the situation of their foramen styles, their number, length, 
figure, surface, direction, and proportion. Stigmas, their 
number, form, and surface. 
The Fruit, its texture, foi-m, whether naked or covered by the 
remains of the fioral envelopes, whether sessile or stipitate ; 
mode of dehiscence, if any; number of its valves and cells; 
situation of the placenta) ; nature of its axis ; number of 
its seeds. 
The Seed, its position M'ith respect to the axis of the fruit, mode 
of insertion, form, surface, the texture and nature of the 
testa, aril, and other appendages, if any ; position of the 
raphe and clialaza. Albumen, its texture, if any. Embryo, 
its direction ; position with respect to the axis of the fruit, 
to the hiltim of the seed, and to the albumen ; the pro- 
portion it bears to the mass of the latter ; the form of its 
cotyledons and radicle ; its mode of germination. 
The medical and economical qualities. 
The above are the main features to be observed, and until all 
these are known and recorded a description is not considered to be full 
and complete, although such may be sufficient to distinguish ihe plant 
from its allies. 
Parts of Flowers Pointed Out, or Flower Dissected. 
It has been suggested that to some who are just beginning the 
study of plants, a few plain directions and explanations as to the 
composition of flowers would be an advantage. To conifily with the 
suggestion rvould seem to necessitate the use of figiu’es, which must 
be dispensed with on account of cost. Probably, however, by selecting 
only the commone.st and most abundant plants for examples, the loss 
of figures will not be felt. As all parts of a plant will be found iu 
the body of the book, here need only be given their position in the 
flower one after the other. Thus, gather the flower of the common 
Sida weed ; its flower is borne upon a slender pedicel ; the first 
whorl of leaves is a five-lobed cup, the calyx ; the next whorl is the 
corolla, composed of five yellow leaves, the 'petals; the next whorl is 
composed of stamens ; in the present flower they are joined together 
for some part of their letigth, forming a cylinder ; they are free in the 
upper part, and upon the summit of e‘dc\\Jilament is a globose body; 
the within the single cell of which is ihoipolleri; the centre of 
the flower is occupied by the pistil ; the swelling at the base indicates 
t\\Q ovary ; above this is the which is branched at the top, each 
