USEFUL KNOWLEDGE. 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS, 
INTRODUCTION. 
1. VEGETABLES or PLANTS are natural bodies en- 
dowed with organization and life, but destitute of 
voluntary motion and sense; and BOTANY is that 
branch of natural science which treats of their struc- 
ture and functions, the systematical arrangement and 
denomination of their several kinds, and their peculiar 
properties and uses. 
2. The principal parts of plants are the root ; the 
herb or plant itself; and the fructification , or flower and 
fruit. 
3. As it is the sole object of this introduction to 
describe, in a concise manner, the Linnsean arrange- 
ment of plants, for the purpose of explaining the clas- 
sification adopted in the present volume, the parts of 
fructification only will be mentioned. These are the 
calyx, corolla, stamens, pistil, seed-vessel, seeds, and 
receptacle. 
4. The CALYX, or flower cup, is the green part which 
is situated immediately beneath the blossom. In some 
VOL, II. B 
