182 
COMPOUND FLOWERS. 
The term Syngenesia signifies a union of 
anthers ; this circumstance, you can readily 
conceive, forms a difference between this 
class and those which are distinguished by 
a union of filaments; in the one case, the 
tops of the stamens, or the anthers, are uni¬ 
ted, while the lower parts are separate ; in 
the other case, the tops are separate, while 
the filaments, or lower parts of the stamens, 
are united. 
The number of stamens in plants of this 
class is mostly 5, distinguished from the 
fifth class not only by the compound cha¬ 
racter of the flowers, but by a union of 
anthers. In some cases, plants with five 
stamens have their anthers united, but having no other resem¬ 
blance to those of the class Syngenesia, they are retained in the 
fifth class: the violet and impatiens are examples of this irregulari¬ 
ty. This is an instance in which the artificial arrangement is made 
to bend to natural resemblances. 
The term compound relates to the arrangement of the flowers, 
which are so closely connected as to have the appearance of one 
single flower. From the union of their stamens, these flowers are 
also called Syngenesious. The compound flowers have, by bota¬ 
nists, been distinguished under the three heads of semi-jlosculous , (hav¬ 
ing ligulate florets ;) Jioscidons , (having tubular florets ;) and radi¬ 
ated. , having tubular florets in the centre and ligulate at the circum¬ 
ference ; the latter florets are called rays. 
The semi-jlosculous division contains a milky juice, which is bitter 
and of a narcotic quality; as the lettuce ( Lactuca ) and dandelion; 
their florets are all of one colour. The flosculous division usually 
exhibit in the leaves and roots a predominance of the bitter princi¬ 
ple, as the burdock, (Arctium ;) their florets are also of one colour. 
The radiated division is mostly composed of plants called Corym- 
biferous, (from corymb and fero , to bear,) because their flowers are 
corymbs, as the Chrysanthemum, Aster, &c. This division includes 
many beautiful flowers, with splendid colours ; and also affords many 
medicinal plants, as tansey and bone-set, (Eupatorium.) The colour 
of the florets in the disk and ray is often different in these flowers. 
The compound flowers begin to blossom in the latter part of sum¬ 
mer, and are found bordering upon the verge of winter. The dan¬ 
delion is among the earliest flowers of spring, and one of the latest 
of autumn. The daisy is found in almost every spot which exhibits 
any marks of fertility ; these are not single flowers, like the violet or 
rose, but crowded clusters of little florets. 
The sun-flower is so large and conspicuous as doubtless to have 
frequently attracted your notice. If you examine one carefully, 
you will find it to be composed of more than a hundred little flowers, 
each as perfect in its kind as a lily, having a corolla, stamefts, pistil, 
and seed. We distinguish the sun-flower into two parts,—the disk, 
which is the middle of the flower, and supposed to have resemblance 
to the middle or body of the sun ; the ray is the border of the flower, 
or those florets which spread out from the disk, as rays of light di¬ 
verge from the sun. The florets in this, as in other compound flowers, 
What does Syngenesia signify?—What are the characteristics of this class ?—How 
are the compound flowers divided?—Describe these divisions—Dandelion and daisy 
—Describe the sun-flower. 
Fig. 143. 
