CLASSES AND ORDERS. 121 
x 
513. Fig. 73, at a, shows a flower 
of the lilac; the corollais salver form, 
having a flat four-parted border, spread- 
ing from a tube. You might at first 
suppose the lilac to consist of four pe- 
tals; but if you should, in a real flower, 
attempt to separate them, you would 
find the whole united, and that it is 
monopetalous. In flowers of one pe- 
tal, the stamens are generally fasten- 
ed to the corolla; where there are 
several petals, the stamens are usually 
attached to the receptacle. At b the 
lilac is represented as if cut length- 
wise, to show the two stamens stand- 
ing opposite to each other, and attached to the corolla. 
514. The flowers of the lilac are crowded together in that 
form of inflorescence which is called a thyrse. This flower, 
although so common, is an exotic. There are two species, 
which are frequently to be met with in this country; the most 
common is the vulgaris, which has broad heart-shaped leaves ; 
the persica, or Persian, has lanceolate leaves. The word lilac 
is derived from the Persian, and signifies a flower. These plants 
are shrubs, and distinguished by large showy thyrses of fragrant 
purple or white flowers. 
515. The Veronica, or Speedwell, is found in America, 
though there are here but a few species of it, compared to those 
of Europe. It has a wheel-shaped corolla, deeply four-cleft, 
with the lower part somewhat smaller than the others, as may 
be seen at Fig. 73, c; the two stamens and the pistil may be 
seen in the picture. The beccabunga is one of the most com- 
mon American species of this. genus; it is found on the bor- 
ders of brooks and in ditches. The petals are blue, but very 
soon turn black; yet although this plant does not make a hand- 
some appearance in an herbarium, it is desirable to obtain it, 
as there are so few specimens of this class and order. One 
species of this genus, the alpina, is common to the Highlands 
of Scotland; another species is found only upon the Cheviot 
Hills between England and Scotland. Various species of 1t 
abound in Wales and other parts of Great Britain. 
516. The Circea is represented at Fig. 73, d; the calyx is 
513. What does Fig. 73 represent ? 
514. What farther is said of the lilac 3 
515. Describe the Veronica. 
516. Describe the Circea, 
11 
