362 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
the filament and anthera. Each anther is a vessel which opens when 
ripe, and throws out a yellow dust, having a strong smell, called pol- 
len or farina. 
Such is the general analysis of the parts which constitute a flower 
As the corolla fades and falls, the germ increases and becomes an ob¬ 
long triangular capsule, within which are flat seeds in three cells. 
This capsule, considered as the cover of the seeds, takes the name of 
pericarp. • 
The parts here mentioned are found in the flowers of most other 
plants, hut in different proportions, situations, and numbers. By the 
analogy of these parts, and their different combinations, the families 
of the vegetable kingdom are determined. These analogies are con¬ 
nected with others in those parts of the plant, which seem to have 
no relation to them. For instance, this number of six stamens, 
sometimes only three, of eight petals, or divisions of the corolla, and 
that triangular form of the germ, with its three cells, determine the 
lilaceous tribe ; and in all this tribe, which is very numerous, the 
roots are bulbs of some sort or other. That of the lily is squamose, 
or composed of scales ; in the asphodel there is a number of oblong 
solid bulbs connected together; in the crocus and saffron there are 
two bulbs, one over the other; in the colchicum they are placed side 
by side. The calyx, which accompanies most other flowers, is want¬ 
ing in the greater part of the lilaceous tribe, as the Tulips, Hyacinth, 
Narcissus, and even in the onion, leek, garlic, &c. which are also lila¬ 
ceous, though at first sight they appear very different. It will also 
be perceived, that in the whole tribe, the stems are simple and un- 
branched, the leaves entire, being never cut or divided, observations 
which will confirm the analogy of the flower and fruit in this family 
by that of the other parts of the plant. If some attention be be¬ 
stowed upon these particulars, and they become familiar by frequent 
observations, our juvenile readers will soon be able to determine, on 
an attentive and continued inspection of a plant, whether it be of 
the lilaceous tribe or not, without even knowing the name of the 
said plant. They will see, that this is not a mere labour of the 
memory, but the study of observations and facts truly worthy of a 
naturalist. 
ON CRUCIFORM FLOWERS. 
Since the first lineaments of plants are so well understood, though 
so slightly marked, that we can already distinguish the lilaceous 
family by their hair, and since our botanists amuse themselves with 
corolla and petals, I shall present to the reader another tribe, upon 
which he may again exercise his knowledge. The difficulty, I must 
