seed being capable of vegetation if this be defective. The Anthera, or apex of the stamen, is provided with a fine dust, called the pollen, which, falling on the gummy matter at the top of the pistillum, or pistil, is there absorbed, and carried down into the germen, or seed-vessel, where the seed is perfected and made capable of reproducing the plant. The Receptacle is the seventh part of fructification distinguished by Linnæus; being the common basis, or point of connexion of the others. It is not always distinguished by any particular figure. In simple flowers, it is, often, little more than a point: in compound flowers, it is very remarkable, and important, serving, by its differences of structure, to afford very good generic distinctions. The receptacle of the fructification is common both to the flower and the fruit, or it embraces the corol and the germ. A proper receptacle belongs to one fructification only; a common receptacle connects several florets, or distinct fructifications. In some plant the receptacle undergoes great changes, acquiring a different texture in the fruit, from what it had in the flower. Thus, the whole fruit, as we call it of the Fig, is a common receptacle, at first coriaceous (resembling leather, tough,) and, like the rest of the plant, containing a milky acrid juice. It forms a bag, lined with florets, or small flowers, and having a small aperture at the top: after the flowers are past, this bag becomes pulpy, coloured, and full of sweet aromatic juice. So the fruit of the strawberry is, originally, a small dry receptacle, subsequently enlarged, and become pulpy, whose outside is studded with naked seeds. The Receptacle of the flower, in Linnæan language, means the area, or space between the stamens and styles, in certain genera whose germen is inferior; as the whole umbelliferous order, Hemlock, Parsley, &c. in which the part in question is more or less tumid, often coloured, and assumes a glandular aspect. According to another definition, the Receptacle of the flower is the base to which the parts of the flower, exclusive of the germen, are fixed. The Nectary, or honey-cup, is that part of the flower, from which bees, and other insects extract the honey; a fluid found almost universally in flowers. The shape and the structure of the nectarium, or nec tary, is extremely various; but commonly uniform in flowers of the same genus; very frequently, indeed, supplying the most clear and decisive marks, by which one genus is distinguished from another. In the Crown Imperial, the nectary is a mere cup, or depression; in the Lily, a bordered furrow in the claw of each petal; in the Violet, the base of one petal is elongated into a spur, or bag, containing the honey; in the Nasturtium, the nectariferous spur is an elongation of the calyx. Darwin describes it as a coloured horn growing from the calyx.' 6 In the Epimedium or Barren-wort, the nectary is of the nature and texture of petals, but perfectly distinct from them, as well as from the calyx; while in the Larkspur, and Columbine, there are nectaries more or less agreeing with their petals, but no calyx. Hence, some botanists reckon their petals, though coloured, the calyx, and their nectaries the only corolla. The neighbouring genus Ranunculus, whose nectaries are pores in the claws of its petals, certainly gives weight to such a determination. Some flowers display an elaborate aparatus, which cannot be demonstrated to have any concern in the secreting or holding the honey. Such are the five green bodies, fringed with bristles, each of which bears a globe, in the elegant Parnassia, or Grass of Parnassus. These, not being referrible to any other of the usual parts of fructification, all of which are present besides, are, by analogy, presumed to be nectaries. The numerous and complex rays which decorate the Passion Flower, are equally inexplicable in their nature. But they crown the cell where the copious honey is lodged, while their cellular texture, and vivid variegation of colour, indicate their connexion with air and light, two great probable agents in the secretion of that saccharine fluid; nor does it appear at all improbable, that they share its elaboration. In other cases, the richly coloured petals of flowers, possibly answer the same end. ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS. Flowers are arranged into Classes, Orders, Genera, and Species. Linnæus has divided the vegetable kingdom into twenty-four classes, which are subdived into orders. Distinctions in each order produce a further division into genera; and genera are again subdivided into species. A Class has been aptly described as bearing some resemblance to an army, an order to a regiment, a genus to a company, and a species to a soldier. In distinguishing a plant, two words are employed; the first, which is called the generic name, is common to all the species of the same genus; and the second, termed the specific name, is confined to a single species of Rose. Here, rosa is the generic name applicable to the whole genus or family of roses; and muscosa is the specific name, used to distinguish the particular kind or species of rose. The families, or genera, are characterized by the analogy of all the parts of the flower, or fructification. The species are distinguished by the foliage of the plant; and the varieties, by an accidental circumstance of colour, taste, or odour. The seeds of these do not always produce plants similar to the parent; this is more certainly accomplished by grafis or layers. 6. Hexandria-6 stamens, as in the Rice, Sorrel, Asparagus, Lily, &c. 7. Heptandria-7 stamens, as in the Horse-chesnut, &c. There are fewer plants in this class than in any other. 8, Octandria-8 stamens, as in the Whortleberry, Evening Primrose, &c. 9. Enneandria 10. Decandria 9 stamens, as in the Laurel, Rhubarb, &c. 10 stamens, as in the Locust tree, Rue, Pink, &c 11. Dodecandria- has from twelve to nineteen stamens in each flower, as in the Mignonette, House Leek, &c. 12. Icosandria-20 or more stamens, attached to the calyx, or sometimes, in part, to the corolla. In this class the calyx is always of one piece, divided at its border, and usually permanent. The character of this class indicates the pulpy fruits, which belong to it, to be wholesome. "Sir J. E. Smith has observed, that no traveller, in the most unknown wilderness, need to be afraid to eat the fruit of any plant whose stamens grow upon the calyx." The apple, cherry, pear, plum, &c. belong to this class; as do the Rose, Hawthorn, &c. Flowers that are double ought not to be consulted, as they lose their distinctive characters; and are, therefore, useless to the botanist. The Dog-rose, or rosa canina, which grows wild in the woods, is a good specimen of this class. 13. Polyandria - has generally more than twenty stamens, sometimes less. The character depends on the part to which they are attached, which is the receptacle. The calyx of this class (if the flower have one) consists of two or more leaves, which generally fall off so soon as the blossom opens. It is important to preserve the twelfth and thirteenth classes distinct; as some late botanists have injudiciously united them into one class. In this class is found the Butter-cup, Larkspur, Poppy, &c. 14. Didynamia-has two short and four long stamens-as in the Snap Dragon, Mint, Thyme, Lavender, &c. All plants of this class, which have naked seeds, are aromatic. 15. Tetradynamia - two short and four long stamensas in the Wall Flower, Cabbage, Radish, Turnip, &c. The more readily to distinguish this class from the sixth, in which the the stamens are of equal length, it may be noticed that the flowers of the 15th class have always four petals, which form a cross, being reguarly placed in pairs opposite to each other, and are thence called cruciform or cross-shaped. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th classes, the stamens are united, by the lower parts of the filaments, into parcels or brotherhoods. 16. Monadelphia-The stamens are all united in a tube around the pistil, forming one brotherhood. They are united at the bottom, but separated at the top. In this class are the beautiful family of Geraniums, the Cotton Plant, Mallow, &c. 17. Diadelphia-The stamens are united into two brotherhoods or parcels. The flowers belonging to this class are all of the same form, called papilionaceous, or butterfly-shaped-as the Pea, Clover, Broom, &c. 18. Polyadelphia-The stamens are collected into more than two sets, each parcel united at the bottom by the filaments. This class does not contain many plants. In it are found the Orange, St. John's Wort, &c. 19. Syngenesia-The stamens are united, by their anthers, into a tube, but the filaments are separate. The Dandelion, Sun Flower, &c. are in this class. 20. Gynandria -The stamens grow out of the pistil, as in the Lady's Slipper, Orchis, &c. "Linnæus included in this class all plants of which the parts in question were in any sense united above the receptacle of the flower. Thus Passiflora, or the Passion flower, whose germen is elevated on a columnar basis,and the stamens inserted into the summit of the same part, just below it, was considered as Gynandrous. Such a principle is atattended with great inconvenience, as in Grewia, an oriental shrub, some species of which have a considerable elevation of the germen, and others little or none. It is found, therefore, by far most convenient, not to consider such insertion or union at all as the character of a class or order, unless it takes place upon or above the germen; or, in other words, unless the stamens grow out of the germen or style. Such is the case decidedly in all the natural family of Orchidea, or Orchis tribe, as well as in Forestera and Stylidium. On these the class remains very firmly established."-See Rees's Cyclope dia 21. Monacia — The stamens and pistils are in separate flowers, but on the same plant; as in the Cucumber, Gourd, Palma-Christi, Arbor Vita, Red Mulberry, Box tree, Indian Corn or Zea, Oak, Walnut, Pine, Amaranth, &c 22. Dracia-The stamens and pistils in separate flowers, and on separate plants; as in the Hop, Willow, Spinage, Hemp, Juniper, Red Cedar, Yew, Poplar (Lombardy, and other Poplars), Mistletoe, &c. 23. Polygamia- The stamens variously situated; the stamens and pistils being sometimes found in the same flower; sometimes, flowers with stamens only; others, with pistils only, and these are placed either on the same plant, or on two or three different ones. Such a diversity is very prevalent among the trees of tropical climates, which are, most of them, more or less polygamous, as is the case also with many grasses. Yet such a character, being not always permanent, leads to much difficulty in practice. In this class are to be found the Ash-tree, Fig, Maple, Mimosa pudica, Acacia of Arabia, &c. The writer of the article under the head Polygamia, for Rees's Cyclopedia, suggests a limitation of this class to those genera which have a difference of structure in the accessory parts of their flowers, (the calyx, corolla, &c.) independent of the stamens and pistils; flowers so constructed being permanently distinct; and asserts, that "if the class cannot be supported on this foundation, it must fall to the ground." Some botanists have hastily abolished the class altogether. 24. Cryptogamia - The flowers of this class invisible to the naked eye. It includes Ferns, Mushrooms, Mosses, Sea-weed, Lichens, or Liverwort, &c. ORDERS OF THE FOREGOING CLASSES. The names of the first thirteen Orders are formed from the Greek numerals, but with the addition of the word gynia, instead of andria. The first thirteen distinguished entirely by the number of pistils. The styles to be counted from their base. When the styles are wanting, the number of stigmas determine the order. NAMES OF THE FIRST THIRTEEN ORDERS: Monogynia-1 Pistil. Heptagynia-7 Pistils. Digynia - 2 Pistils. Octagynia - 8 Pistils. Trigynia-3 Pistils. Enneagynia-9 Pistils. Tetragynia- 4 Pistils. Decagynia - 10 Pistils. Pentagynia — 5 Pistils. Dodecagynia 12 Pistils. Hexagynia-6 Pistils. Polygynia - Many Pistils. The 14th class has 2 Orders - - Gymnospermia, seeds naked at the bottom of the calyx; as in Lavender, Mint, &c. And Angiospermia, where the seeds are enclosed in a seed vessel; as in the Fox Glove. None of the genera of the 14th or 15th Classes have more than one style. The characters of the Orders are, therefore, taken from the pericarp. The 15th Class has 2 Orders; distinguished by the form of the pericarp, or seed vessel; as Siliquosa, long pods, as the Wall flower, &c.; and Siliculosa, short pods, as Honesty, or Satin Flower. The 16th, 17th, 18th Classes -In these the Orders are denominated from the number of the sta mens. The 19th Class has 5 Orders-distinguished by the epithet Polygamia. Intimating, that the flowers are compound, and consist of numerous florets, or small flowers, seated on a common receptacle. 1. Polygamia Equalis. — In this Order, all the florets are equally possessed of stamens and pistils; as the Dandelion. 2. Polygamia Superflua.-The florets of the disk, or central part of the flower, have both stamens and pistils; those of the ray, or circumference, have only pistils but the latter, as well as the former, produce fertile seeds; as the China Aster. 3. Polygamia Frustanea.- The florets of the disk have both stamens and pistils; those of the ray neither one nor the other, or are only abortive pistils; as the Sun Flower, Arkansa coreopsis, &c. 4. Polygamia Necessaria.-The florets of the disk have efficient stamens, but abortive pistils; those of the ray, fertile pistils, impregnated by the stamens of the disk; as the Marigold or Calendula. 5. Polygamia Segregata.-distinguished by its doubly compound flowers, - each floret having its own calyx, in addition to that which surrounds the common receptacle, and forms the whole into one compound flower; as in the Globe Thistle. The 20th and 21st Classes. In these, the Orders have the same names as the preceding classes, and are distinguished by the number of stamens, or by the union either of the filaments or of the anthers, or by the attachment of the stamens to the pistils. 22. This Class has 8 Orders the first seven denomiinated from the number of stamens. The eighth order, Monadelphia, by the stamens being united into one set; as the Juniper, Yew, &c. 23. The Order, denominated from the number of the houses, or plants, on which the several kinds of flowers are to be found. It has three Orders: Monacia, when the stamens and pistils are in separate flowers, but on the same plant. Diacia, having the stameniferous and pistiliferous flowers on two separate plants. And Triacia, when the different kinds of flowers are distributed among three distinct individual plants. Linnæus devoted the greater part of his life to the study of Botany. He was the first who pointed out the difference between the natural and the artificial method of arranging plants. His sexual system is an example of the latter, though many of its Classes, or Orders, happen to be likewise natural assemblages. Many systems of classification have since been attempted, but, notwithstanding the acknowledged merit of these essays, the Linnæan system continues to be the prevailing system, to which all the new Genera, constituted for plants since discovered, are regularly referred. And it is to the advantage of the science, that it should, for a long time yet to come, preserve its ascendency. It is the system of Linnæus that has chiefly been adopted in this little compilation. Bernard de Jussieu, the father of the French botanists, deterred, by excess of modesty, from giving his ideas to the world, was the first who laboured at a natural system of arrangement. It was not before the year 1759, when he was called upon, as Professor of Botany, to arrange the royal garden at Trianon, that he ventured to give any publicity to the natural system he had been projecting. What this was, may be seen by his nephew Antony de Jussieu's Genera Plantarum, published in 1789. Bernard de Jussieu became acquainted with Linnæus at Paris, in 1738, and was quite aware of his merits, and disposed to allow them. The Natural Orders, as arranged by A. de Jussieu from his uncle's works are also given in the glossary to this work: he has fifteen Classes, and a hundred Orders. His Orders are mostly named, from some leading Genus, which appears to me to be a more satisfactory arrange ment. Natural Orders of plants are such as are founded on principles of natural affinity; bringing together, under one point of view, such Genera as have certain characters in common, independent of all artificial modes of classification. In the conception of his Orders, Linnæus ever kept the 13. Succulenta-Succulent plants. 14. Gruinales - Geranium tribe. 15. Inundate- consists of Zannichellia, Ruppia, Potamogeton, Myriophyllum, Ceratophyllum, Proserpinaca, Elatine, and Hippuris. To these are added, in manuscript, by Linnæus, Chara Naias, Aponogeton, Saururus, Serpicula, Callitriche, Lemna, and Pistia —rather a vague assemblage altogether. 16. Calyciflora- Osyris, Trophis, Hippopha, and Elaagnus. 17. Calycanthema - Epilobium, Melastoma, &c. 19. Hesperida - Myrtle tribe. |