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BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
extent. It is found abundantly in the north of England, but it has not been observed farther south than 
Yorkshire. It is common in Ireland. The leaves are singular in their shape, being indented or sinuated some¬ 
what like those of the Oak. 
GENUS X. 
THE AGRIMONY. (Agrimonia, Lin-) 
Lin. Syst. DODECANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx turbinate, 5-cleft, without external 
bracteolae, covered with rigid hooked bristles. Petals 5. Stamens 
15. Fruit consisting of 2 membranous small nuts inclosed in the 
indurated tube of the calyx. Seed suspended. Herbaceous plants, 
with compound leaves. Flowers in spikes, yellow. Bracteie trifid. 
(Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one species of this genus a native of Great Britain. The genus takes its 
name from its being supposed to cure a cataract in the eye, the Greek word for which bears considerable 
resemblance to Agrimonia. It is placed in the Linnsean class Dodecandria, because it has more than twelve and 
less than twenty stamens; and in the order Digynia, because it has two styles. 
1.— THE COMMON AGRIMONY. (Agrimonia Eupatoria, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1335 ; 2nd ed., t. 684. I terminal one stalked. Calyx encompassed with bristles. Spikes 
Specific Character. —Stem-leaves pinnate ; leaflets elliptic-oblong ; | elongated. (Smith,) 
Description, &c. —This species is very common in the waste parts of corn fields, and on road sides, where it 
produces its yellow flowers in June and July. The whole plant is hairy. The stem grows erect to the height 
of about two feet, and it has somewhat the appearance of a small Verbascum. It is a perennial, and the roots 
are strong and woody. The qualities of the whole plant are tonic, and the flowers, when newly gathered, smell 
like apricots. 
IV.—THE ROSE TRIBE. 
The fruit of the plants contained in this tribe consists of numerous hairy nuts, inclosed in the fleshy tube of 
the calyx, which is contracted at the orifice, and forms what is called a hip. The seed is suspended in the nut. 
The flowers have five distinct sepals and five petals, forming a cup-shaped corolla, with numerous stamens. The 
plants are generally shrubs, with prickly or naked stems, and pinnate leaves with large stipules. 
GENUS XI. 
THE HOSE. (Rosa, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. 1COSANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Nuts numerous, hairy, terminated by the 
persistent style, and inclosed within the fleshy tube of the calyx, 
which is contracted at the orifice, where it is surrounded by a flesliy 
disk. Seed suspended. Sepals 5. Petals 5. Stamens indefinite. 
Shrubs with prickly or naked stems. Leaves pinnate. Flowers red, 
white, or yellow, usually fragrant. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —Everybody knows that the Dog Rose is a native of this country ; but few are aware of 
the great number of other species that are also British plants. Many of them, however, so strongly resemble 
each other, that they may be all reduced to only five or six distinct sections. The word Rosa is supposed to be 
derived from the Celtic word Rhos, red. The genus is placed in the Linmean class Icosandria, because it has 
twenty stamens inserted in the calyx ; and in the order Polygynia, from its numerous styles. 
