108 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XVIII. 
blance in the general appearance of these plants, and that an 
arrangement, which thus brings them together, is properly call- 
ed an artificial method. 
454. Many families of plants possess a marked resemblance 
in form and qualities, and appear evidently as distinct tribes. 
If the whole of the vegetable kingdom could thus be distributed 
into natural classes, the study of botany would be much simpli- 
fied ; but it has already been remarked, that there are many 
plants which cannot be thus arranged, and no principle has yet 
been discovered for systematic arrangement, which bears any 
comparison to the Artificial System. . 
455. Here plants are conveniently arranged, like words in a 
dictionary, and thus easily found out and referred to their na- 
‘ tural classes: no other system exists which can with certainty 
direct us to these classes. 
In commencing our remarks upon some of the natural fami- 
hes, we will first consider the 
LILIACEOUS FLOWERS. 
456. These flowers consist of six petals, spreading gradually 
from the base, and exhibiting a kind of bell-form appearance, 
but differing from the bell-form flowers in being polypetalous. 
457. The number of stamens in the Liliaceous plants is ge- 
nerally six, sometimes but three; they are usually alternate with 
the petals. 
458. The germ of the Liliaceous plants is always of a trian- 
gular form, and contains three cells; the roots are mostly 
bulbous. 
459. The Lily has a scaly bulb, the Onion a tunicated or 
coated bulb, the Tulip has a bulb which seems almost solid and 
tuberous. 
460. The calyx is mostly wanting in. Liliaceous plants, the 
stems are simple without branches; the leaves entire, and nerved. 
To this family belong the Tulip, Lily, Crown-imperial, Dog- 
tooth-violet, &e. Plants of this natural family usually heiong 
to the class Hexandria; the Crocus having three stamens, be- 
ongs to the class Triandria. ” 
(rr 
454. Can all plants be easily arranged in distinct tribes ? 
455. How are plants arranged in the artificial system ? 
456. Describe the corolla of liliaceous flowers. 
457. What is said of the stamens of liliaceous plants ? 
458. What is said of the germ? 
459. Of the root or bulb ? 
460. Of the calyx, stems, leaves, &c. % 
