BOTANY FOR LADIES;
OR,
A POPULAR INTRODUCTION
TO THE
Natural System of Plants,
ACCORDING TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF DE CANDOLLE.
BY
MRS. LOUDON,
Author of “Instructions in Gardening for Ladies,” “Year-Book of
Natural History,” &c. &c.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
MDCCCXLII.
LONDON:
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS
PREFACE.
When I was a child, I never could learn Botany. There was something in
the Linnean system (the only one then taught) excessively repugnant
to me; I never could remember the different classes and orders, and
after several attempts the study was given up as one too difficult
for me to master. When I married, however, I soon found the necessity
of knowing something of Botany, as well as of Gardening. I always
accompanied my husband in his visits to different gardens; and when we
saw beautiful flowers, I was continually asking the names, though alas!
these names, when I heard them, conveyed no ideas to my mind, and I was
not any wiser than before. Still the natural wish to know something
of what we admire, impelled me to repeat my fruitless questions; till
at last, vexed at my ignorance, and ashamed of not being able to
answer the appeals which gardeners often made to me in doubtful cases,
(supposing that Mr. Loudon’s wife must know everything about plants,)
I determined to learn Botany if possible; and as my old repugnance
remained to the Linnean system, I resolved to study the Natural one.
Accordingly I began; but when I heard that plants were divided into the
two great classes, the Vasculares and the Cellulares, and again into
the Dicotyledons or Exogens, the Monocotyledons or Endogens, and the
Acotyledons or Acrogens, and that the Dicotyledons were re-divided into
the Dichlamydeæ and Monochlamydeæ, and again into three sub-classes,
Thalamifloræ, Calycifloræ, and Corollifloræ, I was in despair, for I
thought it quite impossible that I ever could remember all the hard
names that seemed to stand on the very threshold of the science, as if
to forbid the entrance of any but the initiated.
Some time afterwards, as I was walking through the gardens of the
Horticultural Society at Chiswick, my attention was attracted by a
mass of the beautiful crimson flowers of Malope grandiflora. I had
never seen the plant before, and I eagerly asked the name. “It is some
Malvaceous plant,” answered Mr. Loudon, carelessly; and immediately
afterwards he left me to look at some trees which he was about to have
drawn for his Arboretum Britannicum. “Some Malvaceous plant,” thought
I, as I continued looking at the splendid bed before me; and then I
remembered how much the form of these beautiful flowers resembled that
of the flowers of the crimson Mallow, the botanical name of which I
recollected was Malva. “I wish I could find out some other Malvaceous
plant,” I thought to myself; and when we soon afterwards walked through
the hothouses, I continued to ask if the Chinese Hibiscus, which I saw
in flower there, did not belong to Malvaceæ. I was answered in the
affirmative; and I was so pleased with my newly-acquired knowledge,
that I was not satisfied till I had discovered every Malvaceous
plant that was in flower in the garden. I next learned to know the
Cruciferous and Umbelliferous plants; and thus I acquired a general
knowledge of three extensive orders with very little trouble to
myself. My attention was more fairly aroused, and by learning one
order after another, I soon attained a sufficient knowledge of Botany
to answer all the purposes for which I wished to learn it, without
recurring to the hard words which had so much alarmed me at the
outset. One great obstacle to my advancement was the difficulty I had
in understanding botanical works. With the exception of Dr. Lindley’s
Ladies’ Botany, they were all sealed books to me; and even that did not
tell half I wanted to know, though it contained a great deal I could
not understand. It is so difficult for men whose knowledge has grown
with their growth, and strengthened with their strength, to imagine the
state of profound ignorance in which a beginner is, that even their
elementary books are like the old Eton Grammar when it was written in
Latin—they require a master to explain them. It is the want that I
have felt that has induced me to write the following pages; in which I
have endeavoured to meet the wants of those who may be now in the same
difficulties that I was in myself.
The course I pursued is also that which I shall point out to my
readers. I shall first endeavour to explain to them as clearly as I
can the botanical characteristics of the orders which contain plants
commonly grown in British gardens; and at the end of my work I shall
lay before them a slight outline of all the orders scientifically
arranged, which they may study or not as they like. Most ladies will,
however, probably be satisfied with knowing the orders containing
popular plants; and these, I am confident, they will never repent
having studied. Indeed, I do not think that I could form a kinder
wish for them, than to hope that they may find as much pleasure in
the pursuit as I have derived from it myself. Whenever I go into any
country I have formerly visited, I feel as though I were endowed with
a new sense. Even the very banks by the sides of the roads, which I
before thought dull and uninteresting, now appear fraught with beauty.
A new charm seems thrown over the face of nature, and a degree of
interest is given to even the commonest weeds. I have often heard that
knowledge is power, and I am quite sure that it contributes greatly
to enjoyment. A man knowing nothing of natural history, and of course
not caring for anything relating to it, may travel from one extremity
of a country to the other, without finding anything to interest, or
even amuse him; but the man of science, and particularly the Botanist,
cannot walk a dozen yards along a beaten turnpike-road without finding
something to excite his attention. A wild plant in a hedge, a tuft of
moss on a wall, and even the Lichens which discolour the stones, all
present objects of interest, and of admiration for that Almighty Power
whose care has provided the flower to shelter the infant germ, and has
laid up a stock of nourishment in the seed to supply the first wants
of the tender plant. It has been often said that the study of nature
has a tendency to elevate and ameliorate the mind; and there is perhaps
no branch of Natural History which more fully illustrates the truth of
this remark than Botany.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
MISCELLANEOUS ORDERS—PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 3
CHAPTER I.
THE ORDER RANUNCULACEÆ: illustrated by the Garden Ranunculus;
the Butter-cup; the Peony; the Anemone; the Hepatica; the
Clematis; the Christmas Rose; the Winter Aconite; Monkshood;
the Larkspur; and the Columbine 9
The Genus Ranunculus, 10—The Genus Ficaria, 16—The Genus
Pæonia, 18—The Genus Anemone, 19—The Genus Clematis, 23—The
Genus Helleborus, &c. 25—The Genus Aconitum, 27—The
Genus Delphinium, 29—The Genus Aquilegia, 31.
CHAPTER II.
THE ORDER LEGUMINOSÆ: illustrated by the Sweet Pea; the Red
Clover; Acacia armata; the Sensitive Plant; the Barbadoes
Flower-fence; the Carob-tree; the Tamarind; the Senna; the
Gleditschia; the Logwood; the Judas-tree; and the Kentucky
Coffee-tree 35
Tribe I. Papilionaceous Flowers, 36—II. Mimosæ, 41—III.
Cæsalpineæ, 44.
CHAPTER III.
THE ORDER ROSACEÆ: illustrated by different kinds of Roses; the
Potentilla; the Strawberry; the Raspberry; Spiræa; Kerria or
Corchorus japonica; the Almond; the Peach and Nectarine;
the Apricot; the Plum; the Cherry; the Apple; the Pear;
The Mountain Ash; the White Beam Tree; the Quince; Pyrus
or Cydonia japonica; the Hawthorn; the Indian Hawthorn;
the Medlar; Photinia; Eriobotrya; Cotoneaster; Amelanchier;
Burnet; and Alchemilla, or Ladies’ Mantle 50
Tribe I. Roseæ, 51—II. Potentilleæ or Dryadeæ, 54—III.
Spiræeæ, 58—IV. Amygdaleæ, 60—V. Pomeæ, 65—VI. Sanguisorbeæ,
73.
CHAPTER IV.
THE ORDER ONAGRACEÆ: illustrated by the different kinds of
Fuchsia; Œnothera, or the Evening Tree-Primrose; Godetia;
Epilobium, or the French Willow-herb; and Clarkia 75
The Genus Fuchsia, 75—The Genus Œnothera, 79—The Genus
Clarkia, 83.
CHAPTER V.
THE ORDER RUBIACEÆ: illustrated by the Cinchona, or Peruvian
Bark; Luculia gratissima; Cape Jasmine; Rondeletia;
Coffee; Ixora; Ipecacuanha; Madder; Galium; Woodruff;
and Crucinella stylosa 85
The Genus Cinchona and its allies, 86—The Genus Gardenia and
its allies, 89—The Genus Rondeletia and its allies, 90—The
Genus Coffea and its allies, 91—The Genus Galium and its
allies, 94.
CHAPTER VI.
THE ORDER COMPOSITÆ: illustrated by the Succory; the Sow-Thistle;
the Dandelion; the Burdock; the Daisy; the Chrysanthemum;
Feverfew; Pellitory of Spain; Wild Chamomile;
True Chamomile; Yarrow; the Bur-Marigold; Groundsel;
Ragwort; Bird’s Tongue; Purple Jacobæa; Cineraria; Sunflower;
Mutisia; and Triptilion 98
Tribe I. Cichoraceæ, 101—II. Cynarocephalæ, 103—III.
Corymbiferæ, 104—IV. Labiatæfloræ, 107.
CHAPTER VII.
THE ORDER ERICACEÆ: illustrated by the Common or Besom
Heath; the Moor Heath; Cape Heaths; Ling or Heather;
Andromeda; Lyonia; St. Dabæoc’s Heath; Arbutus; the
Bearberry; Gaultheria; Clethra; Rhododendron; Indian or
Chinese Azaleas; Yellow Azalea; American Azaleas; Rhodora;
Kalmia; Menziesia; Loiseleuria; Ledum; Leiophyllum;
the Bilberry; the Whortle-berry; the Cranberry;
Pyrola; and Monotropa 109
Tribe I. Ericeæ, 110—Sub-Tribe I. Ericeæ Normales, 111—II.
Andromedeæ, 115—Tribe II. Rhodoreæ, 120—III. Vaccinieæ,
130—IV. Pyroleæ, 132.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE ORDER OLEACEÆ, or Jasmineæ: illustrated by the Common
White Jasmine; the Yellow Jasmine; the Privet; the Phillyrea;
the Olive; the Fringe-tree (_Chionanthus virginica_);
the Lilac; the Common Ash; and the Manna or Flowering
Ash 133
Tribe I. Jasmineæ, 134—II. Oleineæ, 136.
CHAPTER IX.
THE ORDER SOLANACEÆ: illustrated by the Bitter-Sweet; Garden
Nightshade; Potato; Egg-Plant; Tomato; Capsicum; Winter
Cherry; Cape Gooseberry; the Deadly Nightshade;
Lycium, or Duke of Argyle’s Tea-tree; Cestrum; Vestia;
Tobacco; Petunia; Nierembergia; Salpiglossis; Schizanthus;
Henbane; Datura; Brugmansia; Solandra; Verbascum;
Celsia; Nolana; &c. 141
Tribe I. Solanaceæ, 142—II. Nicotianeæ, 147; III.
Verbascineeæ, 153—IV. Nolaneæ, 155.
CHAPTER X.
THE ORDER URTICACEÆ: illustrated by the Common Nettle; the
Hop; the Hemp; the Pellitory of the Wall; the Bread-Fruit
Tree; the Jack-tree; the Cow-tree, or Palo de Vacca; the
Upas or Poison-tree of Java; the Mulberry; the Paper Mulberry;
the Osage Orange, or Maclura; the Common Fig;
Ficus Sycamorus; the Banyan Tree; the Indian-Rubber
Tree; and Ficus religiosa 157
Tribe I. Urticaceæ, 158—II. Artocarpæ, 163.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CATKIN-BEARING TREES: illustrated by the Walnut; the
Hickory; the Willow; the Poplar; the Alder; the Birch;
the Oak; the Beech; the Sweet Chesnut; the Hazel; the
Hornbeam; the Hop Hornbeam; the Plane Trees; the Liquidambar;
Myrica; Comptonia; Casuarina; and Garrya elliptica 174
Juglandaceæ, the Walnut Tribe, 176—the Genus Juglans,
ib.—the Genus Carya, 180—Salicaceæ, the Willow Tribe,
181—the Genus Salix, 182—the Genus Populus, 184—Betulaceæ,
the Birch Tribe, 187—the Genus Betula, 188—the Genus Alnus,
189—Cupuliferæ, the Cup-bearing Trees, 190—the Genus
Quercus, 191—the Genus Fagus, 195—the Genus Castanea,
198—the Genus Corylus, 200—the Genus Carpinus, 201—the Genus
Ostrya, 202—the Order Platanaceæ, ib.—the Genus Platanus,
ib.—the Genus Liquidambar, 203—the Order Myricaceæ, ib.—the
Genus Myrica, 204—the Order Garryaceæ, ib.—the Genus Garrya,
ib.
CHAPTER XII.
THE CONE-BEARING TREES: illustrated by the Scotch Pine; the
Spruce Fir; the Silver Fir; the Larch; the Cedar; the Araucaria;
the Arbor Vitæ; the Cypress; the Deciduous Cypress;
the Juniper; the Yew; and the Cycadeæ 205
§ I. The Abietineæ, the Pine and Fir Tribe, 206—the Genus
Pinus, 209—the Genus Abies, the Spruce Fir, 212—the Genus
Picea, the Silver Fir, 214—the Genus Larix, the Larch,
216—the Genus Cedrus, the Cedar, 217—the Genus Araucaria,
219—§ II. Cupressineæ, the Cypress Tribe, 220—the Genus
Callitris, 222—the Genus Cupressus, the Cypress, 223—the
Genus Taxodium, the Deciduous Cypress, 224—the Genus
Juniperus, the Juniper, 225—§ III. Taxineæ, the Yew Tribe,
228—the Genus Taxus, the Yew, ib.—the Order Cycadæ, 229.
PART II.
SKETCH OF THE NATURAL SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO PROFESSOR
DECANDOLLE 231
INTRODUCTION ib.
CHAPTER I.
PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS—DICOTYLEDONEÆ—I. DICHLAMYDEÆ 239
ORDER PAGE
§ I.—THALAMIFLORÆ.
1. Ranunculaceæ 239
2. Dilleniaceæ 240
3. Magnoliaceæ 241
4. Anonaceæ—the Custard-apple Tribe 245
5. Menispermaceæ—the Cocculus Tribe 246
6. Berberideæ—the Berberry Tribe 247
7. Podophyllaceæ—the May-apple Tribe 253
8. Hydropeltideæ 254
9. Nymphæaceæ—the Water-lily Tribe ib.
10. Sarracenieæ—the Side-saddle Plant 259
11. Papaveraceæ—the Poppy Tribe ib.
12. Fumariaceæ—the Fumitory Tribe 266
13. Cruciferæ—Cruciferous Plants ib.
14. Resedaceæ—the Mignonette 271
15. Datisceæ 273
16. Capparideæ—the Caper Tribe 274
17. Flacourtianeæ 275
18. Bixineæ—the Arnotta Tribe ib.
19. Cistineæ—the Cistus Tribe ib.
20. Violaceæ—the Violet Tribe 279
31. Droseraceæ—the Sun-dew Tribe 284
22. Polygaleæ—the Milkwort Tribe 285
23. Tremandreæ 286
24. Pittosporeæ—the Pittosporum Tribe 287
25. Frankeniaceæ—the Frankenia Tribe 288
26. Caryophyllaceæ—the Carnation Tribe 289
27. Linaceæ—the Flax Tribe 293
28. Malvaceæ—the Mallow Tribe 296
29. Bombaceæ—the Silk Cotton-tree Tribe 299
30. Byttneriaceæ 300
31. Tiliaceæ—the Linden Tribe 301
32. Elæocarpæ—the Elæocarpus Tribe 302
32*. Dipterocarpæ—the Camphor-tree Tribe 303
33. Chelonaceæ, or Hugoniaceæ ib.
34. Ternstrœmiaceæ ib.
35. Camelliaceæ—the Camellia Tribe 304
36. Olacineæ—the Olax Tribe 307
37. Aurantiaceæ—the Orange Tribe 307
38. Hypericineæ—the Hypericum Tribe 312
39. Guttiferæ—the Mangosteen Tribe 313
40. Marcgraaviaceæ ib.
41. Hippocrataceæ ib.
42. Erythroxyleæ—the Red Wood Tribe 314
43. Malpighiaceæ—the Barbadoes Cherry Tribe 314
44. Acerineæ—the Maple Tribe 315
45. Hippocastaneæ, or Æsculaceæ—the Horse-chestnut Tribe 322
46. Rhizoboleæ—the Caryocar Tribe 327
47. Sapindaceæ—the Soap-tree Tribe ib.
48. Meliaceæ—the Bead-tree Tribe 328
48*. Cedreleæ—the Mahogany Tribe 329
49. Ampelideæ—the Vine Tribe ib.
50. Geraniaceæ—the Geranium Tribe 332
51. Tropæolaceæ—the Nasturtium Tribe 337
51*. Limnantheæ ib.
52. Balsamineæ—the Balsam Tribe 338
53. Oxalideæ—the Wood-sorrel Tribe 339
54. Zygophylleæ—the Bean-caper Tribe 340
55. Rutaceæ—the Rue Tribe ib.
56. Simarubaceæ 342
57. Ochnaceæ ib.
58. Coriareæ ib.
§ II.—CALYCIFLORÆ.
59. Celastrineæ 343
60. Rhamnaceæ 345
61. Bruniaceæ 346
62. Samydeæ ib.
63. Homalineæ ib.
64. Chailletiaceæ 347
65. Aquilarineæ ib.
66. Terebinthaceæ—the Turpentine Tribe ib.
67. Leguminosæ—(See Chap. II. in p. 35) 349
68. Rosaceæ—(See Chap. III. in p. 50) 350
69. Calycanthaceæ 351
70. Granateæ 352
71. Memecyleæ 353
72. Combretaceæ ib.
73. Vochysieæ ib.
74. Rhizophoreæ ib.
75. Lophireæ 354
76. Onagrariæ—(See Chap. IV. in p. 75) ib.
77. Halorageæ, or Cercodianæ 355
78. Ceratophylleæ ib.
79. Lythrarieæ, or Salicariæ 356
80. Tamariscineæ—the Tamarisk Tribe ib.
81. Melastomaceæ 357
82. Alangieæ ib.
83. Philadelpheæ—the Mock-orange Tribe 358
84. Myrtaceæ—the Myrtle Tribe ib.
85. Cucurbitaceæ—the Gourd Tribe 360
86. Passifloreæ—the Passion-flower Tribe 361
86*. Malesherbiaceæ 362
87. Loaseæ ib.
88. Turneriaceæ 363
89. Portulaceæ—the Purslane Tribe 364
90. Paronychieæ 365
91. Crassulaceæ—the House-leek Tribe ib.
92. Ficoideæ—the Fig-marigold Tribe 367
93. Cactaceæ—the Cactus Tribe 368
94. Grossularieæ—the Gooseberry Tribe 372
95. Escalloniaceæ 376
96. Saxifragaceæ 377
97. Cunoniaceæ 378
98. Umbelliferæ—Umbelliferous Plants, or the Parsley Tribe ib.
99. Araliaceæ 379
99*. Hamamelideæ 380
100. Caprifoliaceæ, or the Honeysuckle Tribe 381
101. Lorantheæ 385
102. Chlorantheæ 386
103. Rubiaceæ (See Chap. V. p. 85) 386
104. Opercularieæ 387
105. Valerianeæ—the Valerian Tribe ib.
106. Dipsaceæ—the Teasel Tribe 389
107. Calycereæ 390
108. Compositæ (See Chap. VI. p. 98) ib.
109. Lobeliaceæ 391
110. Stylideæ 393
111. Goodenoviæ ib.
112. Campanulaceæ—the Campanula Tribe 394
113. Gesnerieæ 395
114. Vaccineæ (See Chap. VII. p. 130) ib.
115. Ericaceæ (See Chap. VII. p. 109) ib.
116. Peneaceæ 396
§ III.—COROLLIFLORÆ.
117. Epacrideæ 396
118. Symplocineæ 397
119. Styracineæ 398
120. Myrsineæ 399
121. Sapoteæ ib.
122. Ebenaceæ 400
123. Brexieæ ib.
124. Oleinæ (See Chap. VIII. p. 136) 401
125. Jasmineæ (See Chap. VIII. p. 134) 401
126. Strychneæ ib.
127. Apocyneæ 403
128. Asclepiadeæ ib.
129. Gentianeæ—the Gentian Tribe ib.
130. Bignoniaceæ 404
131. Cobæaceæ 405
132. }
} Pedalineæ and Sesameæ ib.
133. }
134. Polemoniaceæ 406
135. Hydroleaceæ 407
136. Convolvulaceæ ib.
137. Boragineæ 409
138. Cordiaceæ 410
139. Hydrophylleæ ib.
140. Solanaceæ (See Chap. IX. p. 141) ib.
141. Scrophularinæ 411
142. Labiatæ 412
143. Verbenaceæ—the Vervain Tribe 414
144. Myoporinæ 415
145. Acanthaceæ ib.
146. Orobancheæ 416
147. Lentibulariæ ib.
148. Primulaceæ—the Primrose Tribe ib.
149. Globulariæ 418
150. Plumbagineæ ib.
CHAPTER II.
PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS—DICOTYLEDONEÆ—II. MONOCHLAMYDEÆ 419
151. Plantagineæ 419
152. Nyctagineæ 420
153. Amaranthaceæ ib.
154. Phytolaceæ 421
155. Chenopodeæ ib.
156. Begoniaceæ 422
157. Polygoneæ—the Buckwheat Tribe 423
158. Laurineæ—the Sweet-bay Tribe 424
159. Myristiceæ 425
160. Proteaceæ ib.
161. Thymelææ 426
162. Osyrideæ 427
163. Santalaceæ ib.
164. Elæagneæ 428
165. Asarineæ, or Aristolochieæ ib.
166. Cytineæ 429
167. Euphorbiaceæ 429
168. Stackhouseæ 431
169. Antidesmeæ ib.
170. Urticeæ (See Chap. X. p. 157) ib.
171. Ulmaceæ 432
172. Piperaceæ ib.
173. Juglandaceæ (See Chap. XI. p. 176) ib.
174. Amentaceæ (See Chap. XI. p. 174) 433
175. Hamamelideæ ib.
176. Empetreæ ib.
177. Coniferæ (See Chap. XII. p. 205) 434
178. Cycadeæ (See Chap. XII. p. 229) ib.
CHAPTER III.
PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS—MONOCOTYLEDONEÆ 435
§ I.—PETALOIDEÆ.
179. Hydrocharideæ—the Frog’s-bit Tribe 435
180. Alimaceæ—the Water-plantain Tribe 436
181. Butomeæ—the Flowering-rush Tribe 437
182. Juncagineæ—the Arrow-grass Tribe 438
183. Orchidaceæ ib.
184. Scitamineæ 441
185. Canneæ 442
186. Musaceæ ib.
187. Iridaceæ 443
188. Hæmodoraceæ 445
189. Hypoxideæ 446
190. Amaryllidaceæ ib.
191. Hemerocallideæ 447
192. Dioscoreæ ib.
193. Tamaceæ 448
194. Smilaceæ ib.
195. Asphodeleæ 449
196. Tulipaceæ 450
197. Melanthaceæ 451
198. Bromeliaceæ ib.
199. Pontederaceæ 452
200. Commelineæ ib.
201. Palmæ—the Palm Tribe ib.
202. Pandaneæ 453
203. Typhineæ—the Bulrush Tribe ib.
204. Aroideæ—the Arum Tribe 454
205. Fluviales, or Naiades—the Pond-weed Tribe 455
206. Junceæ—the Rush Tribe 456
207. Gillesieæ ib.
208. Restiaceæ—the Pipewort Tribe ib.
§ II—GLUMACEÆ.
209. Cyperaceæ—the Sedge Tribe 457
210. Gramineæ—the Grass Tribe 458
CHAPTER IV.
CRYPTOGAMOUS PLANTS 460
SUB-CLASS I—FOLIACEÆ.
211. Filices—the Fern Tribe 461
212. Lycopodineæ—the Club-moss Tribe 463
213. Marsileaceæ 464
214. Equisetaceæ—the Horse-tail Tribe ib.
215. Characeæ 465
216. Musci—the Moss Tribe 466
217. Hepaticæ 468
SUB-CLASS II.—APHYLLEÆ.
218. Lichenes ib.
219. Fungi 470
220. Algæ 471
MODERN BOTANY FOR LADIES.
PART I.
INTRODUCTION.
The following pages are intended to enable my readers to acquire a
knowledge of Botany with as little trouble to themselves as possible.
As, however, Botany is a “wide word,” I must here premise that I only
propose to treat of that part of the science which relates to the
classification of plants, according to the natural system of Jussieu,
as improved by the late Professor De Candolle; and that the grand
object I have in view is to enable my readers to find out the name of
a plant when they see it for the first time; or, if they hear or read
the name of a plant, to make that name intelligible to them. Nothing is
more natural than to ask the name of every pretty flower we see; but
unless the inquirer knows something of botany, the name, if it be a
scientific one, will seem only a collection of barbarous sounds, and
will convey no ideas to the mind. Half the interest of new greenhouse
plants is thus destroyed, as few of them have English names, and
strangers will soon cease to make any inquiries respecting them when
they find they can obtain no answers that they can understand. Now, a
very slight knowledge of botany will take away this mortifying feeling;
and the name of a new plant, and the ascertaining the order to which it
belongs, will recall a variety of recollections that will open up a new
source of interest and enjoyment even in such interesting and enjoyable
things as flowers—for we never can enjoy thoroughly anything that we do
not understand.
It now only remains for me to say why I have divided my work into two
parts. My reason is my belief that a student will always remember more
easily a few strongly marked divisions than a number of smaller ones,
the differences between which are only faintly perceptible. In a more
advanced state of knowledge, it is delightful to trace the minute
shades of difference by which the numerous orders are united, so as to
form one great whole; but these gentle gradations confuse a beginner.
On this account I have thought it best to devote the first part of my
work to a few of the more important orders, which differ most widely
from each other, and which I have described at a greater length than
my space will allow me to bestow upon the whole; and in the second part
of my work, I shall give a short account of the whole natural system,
introducing the orders described in the first part, in their proper
places, so that my readers may see how they are connected with the
others.
MISCELLANEOUS ORDERS.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
In this first part I shall endeavour to familiarise my readers with
botanical details, as all the orders I shall describe contain a great
number of genera; and to begin at the beginning, I must first tell
them what is here meant by an order, and what by a genus of plants.
A genus then may be compared to a family of children, all the plants
in it being known by one common or generic name, in addition to their
particular or specific one. Thus, if Rosa alba be spoken of, _Rosa_
is the generic name which is common to all roses, but _alba_ is the
specific name which is only applied to the white rose.
An order includes many genera, and bears the same affinity to a nation
as a genus does to a family. In many cases the resemblance which the
plants in each order bear to each other is sufficiently strong to
enable the student to recognise them at first sight; in the same manner
as you may generally know a Frenchman or a German from an Englishman,
even before you hear him speak. But unfortunately this general outward
resemblance does not always exist, and it is necessary for the student
to become acquainted with the general construction of flowers before
the points of resemblance which have occasioned certain genera to be
linked together to form orders, can be understood.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.—STAMEN AND PISTIL.]
It is thus evident that the first step towards a knowledge of
systematic botany is to study flowers thoroughly, and few objects
of study can be more interesting, whether we regard the elegance of
their forms or the beauty and brilliancy of their colours. My readers
may perhaps, however, be as much surprised as I was, to learn that
the beautifully coloured parts of flowers are the least important;
and that, as they only serve as a covering to the stamens and pistil,
which are designed for the production of seed, they may be, and indeed
actually are, wanting in a great many of what are considered perfect
flowers. In examining a flower, therefore, it must be remembered that
the production of seed is the object, for which all the curious
contrivances we discover are designed. The germen or ovary (_a_ in
fig. 1) is protected by a thick fleshy substance (_b_), called the
receptacle or disk, which serves as a bed or foundation on which the
other parts of the flower rest, and which is thence frequently called
a thalamus or torus, both words signifying a bed. The ovary itself is
hollow, and it is sometimes divided into several cells, each enclosing
a number of ovules, which are afterwards to become seeds; but sometimes
there is only one cell, and sometimes only one seed in each cell. The
ovary is juicy and succulent when young, and very different from what
it afterwards becomes when the seeds are ripe. Rising from the ovary
in most flowers, is a long and slender stalk called the style (_c_),
which supports a kind of head, called the stigma (_d_). The ovary, the
style, and the stigma, constitute what is called the pistil; but the
style is not so essential as the other parts, and indeed it is wanting
in many flowers. Sometimes there are many styles, each with a stigma at
its summit, forming the pistil; and when this is the case, the ovary
will have as many cells as there are stigmas, or each stigma will have
a separate ovary to itself. There are generally several stamens in a
flower, each perfect stamen consisting of three parts,—the Filament,
the Anther, and the Pollen. The filament (_e_) is, however, often
wanting, and it is only the anther (_f_), and the powder called the
pollen which it contains, that are essential. The anther, when the
flower first expands, appears like a little oblong case with a deep
groove down the centre, or rather like two oblong cases stuck together.
When these cases become ripe, they burst and let out the pollen which
was enclosed within them. The pollen is generally very abundant, and it
is often seen in the form of yellow dust descending from the catkins of
the cedar of Lebanon, or the Scotch fir, or of orange powder, as on the
stamens of the orange lily, when it sticks to everything it touches.
About the time of the bursting of the anthers, the stigma becomes
covered with a glutinous moisture, which absorbs the pollen that falls
upon it. The pollen, when absorbed by the stigma, is conveyed down the
style to the ovary, where it falls upon and fertilises the ovules or
incipient seeds. Nothing can be more beautiful or more ingenious than
the mechanism by which this process is effected. It is necessary that
the grains of pollen should be separated before they reach the ovary,
and they are so in their passage down the style in a manner more fine
and delicate than could be done by any exertion of mere human skill.
We know that we ourselves are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but how
few of us are aware that every flower we crush beneath our feet, or
gather only to destroy, displays as much of the Divine care and wisdom
in its construction, as the frame of the mightiest giant!
[Illustration: FIG. 2.—COROLLA OF A FLOWER.]
[Illustration: FIG. 3.—CALYX OF A FLOWER.]
I have already mentioned that the most conspicuous part of the flower
is merely a covering to protect the seed-producing organs from injury.
In most flowers there are two of these coverings, which form together
what is called the perianth; the inner one, when spoken of separately,
being called the corolla, and the outer one the calyx. The corolla is
generally of some brilliant colour, and in most cases it is divided
into several leaf-like parts called petals, (see _g_ in figs. 2 and
3); and the calyx, which is commonly green, is divided into similar
portions called sepals (see _h_). Sometimes there is only one of these
coverings, and when this is the case it is called by modern botanists
the calyx, though it may be coloured like a corolla; and sometimes the
calyx and corolla are of the same colour, and so mixed as hardly to be
distinguished from each other, as in the crocus and the tulip; in which
case the divisions are called the segments of the perianth.
CHAPTER I.
THE ORDER RANUNCULACEÆ: ILLUSTRATED BY THE RANUNCULUS, THE BUTTERCUP
OR CROWFOOT, THE PEONY, THE ANEMONE, THE HEPATICA, THE CLEMATIS, THE
CHRISTMAS ROSE, THE WINTER ACONITE, MONKSHOOD, THE LARKSPUR, AND THE
COLUMBINE.
Such of my readers who may have formed their first ideas of the
natural system from some order, the flowers of which bear a strong
resemblance to each other, will be surprised at reading the names of
the heterogeneous assemblage of plants at the head of this chapter;
for surely no flowers can bear less resemblance to each other than the
buttercup and the peony do to the columbine and the larkspur. There
are, however, striking points of resemblance which link these flowers
together; the principal of which are the number and disposition of the
ovaries, or carpels as they are called in this case, which, though they
grow close together, and sometimes even adhere to each other, are yet
perfectly distinct; in the number and position of the stamens, which
grow out of the receptacle from beneath the carpels; and in the leaves
and young stems, when cut or pressed, yielding a thin yellowish juice,
which is extremely acrid, and, in most cases, poisonous. The flowers
of the plants belonging to Ranunculaceæ differ widely in their shapes;
and all the incongruities that are only sparingly met with in other
orders, are here gathered together. Some of the flowers have only a
coloured calyx, as in the clematis; in others the calyx and corolla are
of the same colour, as in the globe-flower, or so intermingled as to
seem all one, as in the columbine; and in others the calyx forms the
most ornamental part of the flower, as in monkshood and the larkspurs.
In short, modern botanists seem to have placed this unfortunate order
first, as though to terrify students on the very threshold of the
science, and to prevent them from daring to advance any farther to
penetrate into its mysteries.
THE GENUS RANUNCULUS.
The word Ranunculus will doubtless conjure up in the minds of my
readers those very showy, double, brilliantly-coloured flowers, which
flower in spring, and are generally grown in beds like tulips. These
flowers form a species of the genus, under the name of _Ranunculus
asiaticus_; and having been introduced from Asia, they have retained
their botanic name from not having any English one. The honour of
giving a name to the genus does not, however, rest on them, but belongs
to a common English weed.
Every one who has travelled through England in the months of June
and July, must have remarked the almost innumerable buttercups which
glitter among the long grass of the meadows at that season; and those
who observe closely, will have noticed that these brilliant little
flowers are never found in poor soil, or in hilly situations, but in
rich valleys where the grass is rank and luxuriant from abundance of
moisture. It is this circumstance that has obtained for the buttercup
the botanical name of Ranunculus, the word being derived from Rana, a
frog, a creature that delights in moist places.
The buttercup being the type of the genus Ranunculus, and the order
Ranunculaceæ, a close examination of its flowers will show the
peculiarities which distinguish both the genus and the order. The
characteristics of the order, as far as regards the number and position
of the carpels and stamens, are shown in the section of the flower in
the lower part of _fig._ 4; and those of the genus are, a green calyx
of five sepals, and a bright coloured corolla of five petals (see _a_
in _fig._ 4); numerous stamens, the anthers of which are adnate, that
is, with the filament growing up the back (see _b_); and numerous
carpels (_c_) affixed to the upper part of the receptacle, which is
drawn up in the shape of a cone to receive them. The flower shown in
_fig._ 4, and the detached petal (_e_), given separately to show the
little scale at its base, are of the natural size; but the anther _b_
is magnified to show the curious manner in which it is affixed, for
its whole length, to the filament. The section of the flower is also
magnified to show the elevated receptacle, and the position of the
carpels _c_ and the stamens _d_ with regard to each other. The line _g_
shows the position of the corolla, and _f_ that of the calyx, while the
short line between the corolla and the stamens indicates the scale,
which, from its being supposed to serve as a receptacle for honey, is
sometimes called the nectary. The carpels, it will be observed, each
consists of a broad part swollen in the centre, which is the ovary,
with a curved part or beak at one end, terminating in a sharp point,
which is the stigma. Each ovary contains only one ovule, and when the
seed ripens, the carpel does not open to discharge it, but drops with
the seed. When the flower is fully expanded, the green carpels may
be seen in the centre, surrounded by the stamens, as shown at _h_ in
_fig._ 5; but after the petals drop, the stamens also disappear, and
the carpels increase in size, till they assume the appearance shown
at _i_, which shows the kind of head formed by the carpels on the
receptacle after the flower has faded.
[Illustration: FIG. 4.—THE FLOWER OF THE COMMON BUTTER-CUP.]
[Illustration: FIG. 5.—FLOWER AND RIPE CARPELS OF THE BUTTER-CUP.]
The plant from which my drawings were made was a common buttercup,
_Ranunculus acris_, which my readers will easily recognise if they
should meet with it, by its erect flower-stem, deeply cut leaves,
and fibrous root. Another species (_Ranunculus bulbosus_) is, also,
sometimes called the buttercup; but it is easily distinguished by its
bulbous root. Both these, and several other species, have deeply cut
leaves, which somewhat resemble the feet of a bird, and hence the
name of crowfoot is often applied to them. Others, such as the greater
spearwort (_Ranunculus lingua_), have long tongue-shaped leaves. In
all, the footstalks of the leaves are somewhat folded round the stem at
their base.
Such of my readers as reside in the country will find it very amusing
to gather all the kinds of crowfoot, buttercup, goldilocks, and
spearwort, they can find in the fields and lanes; and after having
compared the flowers with the description I have given, to try to find
out the specific names, by comparing the other particulars with the
descriptions in Hookers or Lindley’s British Botany, or with the plates
and descriptions in the new edition of Sowerby’s English Botany. In
a short time they will not want these aids, but will be able to name
the plants at once, and to tell in what they differ from each other by
memory. I shall never forget the pleasure I once had in finding out the
name of a plant myself. I happened to be waiting for Mr. Loudon, (who
had gone to examine some new pines and firs,) in the pleasure-grounds
of a villa, just opposite a small pond, which was covered by some
white flowers that I did not know. The flowers were small, but very
beautiful, and as they shone with almost a metallic lustre in the sun,
they looked like a silvery mantle thrown over the water. I was curious
to know what they were, and having got one with some difficulty, and
by the help of my parasol, I began to examine it botanically. The
leaves at first told me nothing as to the genus, for the upper ones
were nearly round, and only slightly cut into three lobes, while the
lower ones were almost as much divided as fennel; but on examining them
closely, I found their stalks sheathed the stem at the base. This gave
me the first idea of the plant being a Ranunculus, for I remembered the
leaves of that genus were stem-clasping. I then looked at the plant
again, and wondered at my own stupidity in not having before observed
its resemblance to the genus. There was the cup-shaped flower of five
petals, the green calyx of five sepals, the numerous stamens and
carpels, the elevated receptacle, and even the fine texture and glossy
surface of the petals. Nothing was different but the colour; and yet
it was the want of the bright golden yellow of the common buttercup,
that prevented me from even thinking of that genus, when pondering on
the name of my water-plant. I should add, that I would not ask any help
from Mr. Loudon, but identified my plant myself on my return home;
when, by comparing it with the description in Hooker’s British Flora,
which happened to be the first botanical work I had at hand, I found
it was _Ranunculus aquatilis_, the water crowfoot.
In a similar manner my readers may amuse themselves, by identifying
the plants they meet with, and they will be surprised to find how easy
the task will soon become. I must warn them, however, that they will
not find double flowers quite so easy to recognise as single ones.
In double flowers the stamens and carpels are entirely or partially
changed into petals; as may be seen in the florists’ varieties of
Ranunculus, in the yellow bachelor’s buttons, which is a variety of the
common buttercup, and in the Fair Maid of France, which is a variety of
_Ranunculus platanifolius_, a species found wild on the mountains of
Germany.
THE GENUS FICARIA.
Pansies, lilies, kingcups, daisies,
Let them live upon their praises;
Long as there’s a sun that sets,
Primroses will have their glory;
Long as there are violets,
They will have a place in story.
There’s a flower that shall be mine,
’Tis the little Celandine.
Ill befall the yellow flowers,
Children of the flaring hours,
Buttercups that will be seen,
Whether we will see or no;
Others, too, of lofty mien,
They have done as worldlings do,
Stolen praise that should be thine,
Little humble Celandine.
In these verses, and several others in the same strain, Wordsworth
sings the praises of the pretty little British plant called pilewort,
or the lesser celandine. This plant botanists formerly included in the
genus Ranunculus, but De Candolle, finding that instead of having five
sepals and five petals like all the kinds of Ranunculus, it has three
sepals, and nine petals, which are narrow and pointed, instead of being
broad and somewhat rounded, made it into a new genus under the name of
Ficaria ranunculoides—its old name having been Ranunculus Ficaria. Its
flowers are of a bright yellow, like those of the buttercup, and of the
same delicate texture and glossy surface; but they are distinguished,
not only as I have just observed, by having nine narrow pointed petals,
and only three sepals, but by the leaves, which are roundish and
shining, and not stem-clasping. These peculiarities are so striking,
that I knew the Ficaria the first time I saw it in a growing state,
merely from having read a description of it. Even when not in flower
it may be known, by its roundish smooth leaves, and by the petioles or
footstalks of its leaves being the same throughout; whereas those of
all the kinds of Ranunculus are dilated at the base, to enable them to
enfold the stem.
THE GENUS PÆONIA.
[Illustration: FIG. 6.—FLOWER OF THE MALE PEONY, WITH DETACHED CARPEL
AND STAMEN.]
The flowers of the Peony bear considerable resemblance to those of
the buttercup, but every part is on an enlarged scale; and there are
some important differences—one of which is, that the Peony retains its
calyx till the seeds are ripe, while in all the kinds of Ranunculus
the calyx drops with the corolla. The carpels of the Peony are also
many-seeded, while those of the Ranunculus contain only one seed in
each. In the male Peony (_P. corallina_) there are five petals and
five sepals, (see _a_ in _fig._ 6,) with numerous stamens, forming
a ring round four large woolly carpels in the centre of the flower.
The stamens (_c_) are adnate, like those of the Ranunculus; and the
carpels (_b_) are each terminated by a thick, fleshy, hooked stigma.
These carpels open naturally on the side when ripe, to discharge their
seeds. The herbaceous Peonies with double flowers, now so common in our
gardens, have generally only two carpels, each containing about twenty
seeds, arranged in two rows; and the Chinese tree Peony (_P. Moutan_)
has from five to ten carpels, with only a few seeds in each. This last
species is distinguished by the receptacle being drawn out into a thin
membrane-like substance, which rises between the carpels like the
remains of withered leaves, and partially covers them.
THE GENUS ANEMONE.
I have already mentioned (p. 10) that some of the genera included in
the order Ranunculaceæ have only a coloured calyx and no corolla; and
the Anemone is an example of this peculiarity of construction. The
pasque-flower (_Anemone pulsatilla_) is divided into six dark purple
sepals, which are covered on the outside with long silky hairs. The
leaves are so much cut as almost to resemble those of parsley; and
at a short distance below the flowers there are three small floral
leaves, or bracts, which grow round the stem, and form what is called
an involucre. The carpels are small, oblong bodies, pressed close
together, and each is furnished with a long, feathery point, called
an awn. The carpels, though lying so close together, are perfectly
distinct, and part readily at the slightest touch; and each contains
only one seed.
It will be seen from this hasty sketch, that the principal point of
resemblance between the genera Anemone and Ranunculus, in a botanical
point of view, lies in the carpels, which are close together, and are
yet so distinct as to part at the slightest touch. There is, however,
a general resemblance in some of the flowers, from their five sepals,
and numerous stamens, that renders it difficult for a beginner to
distinguish an Anemone from a Ranunculus. In many of the British
species, also, the carpels are not awned, but slightly curved, very
like those of a buttercup. I remember being once very much puzzled with
a beautiful little bright yellow flower, that I found in a wood. At
first I thought it was a Ranunculus, but the petals were pointed and
not roundish; and it could not be a Ficaria, because it had only five
petals. At last I looked to see what kind of calyx it had, and found
none, that is, no green calyx; and then, observing the involucre of
three leaves growing in a whorl round the stem, at some distance below
the flower, I knew it was an Anemone; and on comparing it with the
plates in Sowerby’s English Botany, on my return home, I ascertained
that it was _Anemone ranunculoides._
My readers will therefore observe that Anemones may be always known
by their involucre, and by their having only one covering (a showy,
coloured calyx) to the flower. The number of sepals in this calyx
varies in the different species. The pasque-flower has six; the white
wood Anemone generally five; and the Blue Mountain Anemone from twelve
to twenty. The involucre also sometimes grows a long way from the
flower, as in this last-mentioned species; and sometimes so close to
it, as in the Garland, or Poppy Anemone (_A. coronaria_), as to look
almost like a green calyx to the flower. The awns, or feathery tails,
are also not found attached to the carpels of all the species; and this
distinction is considered so important, that some botanists make those
plants which have awned carpels into a separate genus, which they call
Pulsatilla, and of which the pasque-flower is considered the type. This
genus, however, has not, I believe, been generally adopted.
I have now only a few words to say on florists’ Anemones, the tuberous
roots of which most of my readers must have seen in the seed-shops.
Most of these are varieties of the Garland Anemone, already mentioned
as having its involucre close to the flower. The sepals of this species
are roundish, six in number, and when the flower is in a single state,
there are a great number of stamens, bearing dark purple anthers in
the centre of the flower. When the flower becomes double, the sepals,
which retain their form and number, only becoming somewhat more spread
out and flattened, are called by florists the guard-leaves; and the
stamens in the centre are metamorphosed into petals, which generally
retain their dark purple colour, or at any rate are much darker than
the sepals. The other florists’ Anemones spring from _A. stellata_, or
_hortensis_, and they are distinguished by having pointed sepals, and a
white spot at the base of each, so as to form a white circle inside the
cup of the flower. The involucre is a long way from the calyx, and when
the flowers become double, the sepals can scarcely be distinguished
from the metamorphosed stamens.
The hepatica or liverwort, the varieties of which look so pretty in
our gardens in spring, was formerly considered to be a species of
Anemone, and indeed the genus Hepatica appears to rest on very slight
grounds. It has, however, been adopted by most modern botanists, and
the _Anemone Hepatica_ of Linnæus is now generally called _Hepatica
triloba_. The normal form of the species is the single blue; and the
double blue, the single and double pink, and the single and double
white, are all only varieties of this. The hepatica agrees in all
points with the Anemone, except in the involucre, which is so very
like a green calyx, from the manner in which it enfolds the flower
in the bud, as scarcely to be distinguished. I could not, indeed, be
persuaded that this calyx-like covering was an involucre, till I turned
back the apparent sepals, and found that their glossy surface was
within: I also found that there was a very small portion of the stem
between them and the flower, a circumstance which always distinguishes
an involucre from a calyx, the latter forming part of the flower, and
being always in some manner attached to the receptacle.
THE GENUS CLEMATIS.
This genus resembles the Anemone in having only one covering, an
ornamental calyx, to its seed-producing organs. It has not, however,
any distinct involucre; though in one species, _C. calycina_, there are
two bracts, or floral leaves, which bear some resemblance to one. The
flowers of the different species vary considerably in form, colour,
and the number of the sepals; _C. calycina_ and _C. viticella_ having
four, _C. florida_ six, _C. vitalba_ five, &c. All the species agree,
however, in the seeds, which are produced singly, each in a separate
awned carpel, which does not open, but drops with the seed, and is sown
with it. These carpels, which are common to the genera Ranunculus,
Anemone, Adonis, and many other kinds of Ranunculaceæ, are called
caryopsides, and seeds thus enclosed are always much longer in coming
up than any others. In some species of Clematis the awns of the carpels
are smooth; but in others they are bearded or feathered, as in those of
the traveller’s joy (_C. vitalba_), shown in _fig._ 7. The leaves of
the Clematis vary considerably in form and arrangement; but the stems
of the climbing species are furnished with tendrils, or slender twining
leafless stems, which some botanists suppose to be metamorphosed leaves.
[Illustration: FIG. 7.—CARPELS OF THE CLEMATIS VITALBA.]
The plants composing the genus Atragenè have been separated from
Clematis; because they are said to have petals, which the genus
Clematis has not. It must not, however, be supposed that the petals of
the Atragenè bear any resemblance to what is generally understood by
that word. On the contrary, the showy part of the Atragenè is still
only a coloured calyx; while the petals are oblong, leaf-like bodies
in the centre of the flower, which look like dilated stamens. In other
respects the two genera are scarcely to be distinguished from each
other.
THE GENUS HELLEBORUS, &C.
The Christmas rose (_Helleborus niger_) bears considerable resemblance
in the construction of its flowers to the Atragenè, for it has a showy
calyx, and narrow oblong petals, encircling the stamens in the centre
of the flower. The calyx of the Christmas rose is white, delicately
tinged with pink, and the petals are green. The carpels are erect and
long, swelling out at the base, and each ends in a curved style with
a pointed stigma. The Christmas rose takes its specific name of niger
(black) from the root, which is covered with a thick black skin. The
common Hellebore takes its name of _H. viridis_, from its flowers,
which are green. The carpels of this plant frequently grow slightly
together, and their styles curve inwardly.
The British species of Hellebore have no involucre, and the Christmas
rose has only two bracts or floral leaves, which form a calyx-like
covering to the bud; but the little yellow garden plant, called the
Winter Aconite, which was included by Linnæus in the genus Helleborus,
has a decided involucre, on which the little yellow, cup-shaped
flower reposes, like a fairy bowl upon a leafy plate. The conspicuous
part of this flower, like the others, is the calyx, which encloses a
number of short tubular petals. This little plant is now separated
from Helleborus, and formed into a distinct genus, under the name of
_Eranthus hyemalis_, from its carpels being each furnished with a very
short footstalk, by which they are attached to the receptacle, instead
of growing upon it as in the other genera. The root is tuberous,
or rather it forms a kind of underground stem, sending up tufts of
leaves and flowers from the different buds. Thus we often see several
tufts of the Winter Aconite growing so far from each other as to
appear distinct; but which, in fact, all spring from the same root.
The Globe-flower (_Trollius europæus_), which has a golden yellow,
globe-shaped calyx, enclosing a number of small oblong petals, is
nearly allied to the Winter Aconite; and the Fennel-flower, or Devil in
a Bush (_Nigella damascena_), agrees with the common Hellebore in the
adhesion of its carpels.
THE GENUS ACONITUM.
[Illustration: FIG. 8.—FLOWER AND SEED-VESSELS OF THE MONKSHOOD.]
We are so accustomed to see in our gardens the tall showy perennial
called monkshood or wolfsbane (_Aconitum Napellus_), that few persons
think of examining the flowers in detail. They well deserve, however,
to be examined, as they are very curious in their construction. The
showy part of the flower is an ornamental calyx of six sepals, but the
upper two of these are larger than the others, and adhere together so
as to form a singular sort of covering, like a monk’s cowl or hood.
(See _a_ in _fig._ 8.) The stamens are numerous, and they encircle
three or five oval carpels, with thread-like styles, and pointed
stigmas, as shown at _b_; which when ripe burst open at the top (_c_)
to discharge the seed, without separating. Carpels of this kind are
called follicles. Under the hood, and entirely concealed by it, are the
petals (see _fig._ 9), which form what may certainly be considered the
most remarkable part of the flower, as they are so curiously folded
up that they look more like gigantic stamens than petals. The older
botanists described these petals as nectaries, with crested claws.
The leaves are divided into from three to five principal segments,
which are again deeply cut into several others. The stem of the common
Monkshood is thickened at the base, or collar, where it joins the root,
so as to give it somewhat the appearance of celery; and hence ignorant
persons have been poisoned by eating it. This knotted appearance of
the stem is not common to all the species, and it gives rise to the
specific name of Napellus, which signifies a little turnip.
[Illustration: FIG. 9.—PETALS OF THE MONKSHOOD.]
THE GENUS DELPHINIUM.
[Illustration: FIG. 10.—THE FLOWERS OF THE BRANCHING LARKSPUR.]
The plants belonging to the genus Delphinium, that is to say, the
Larkspurs, have their flowers constructed in nearly as curious a manner
as those of the different kinds of Monkshood; but they differ in the
sepals and petals both forming conspicuous parts of the flower, though
they are generally quite distinct both in form and colour, and may
be easily traced through all the different forms they assume in the
various species. They are, however, perhaps most easily distinguished
in the branching or autumnal Larkspur (_Delphinium consolida_). In the
flower of this plant the spur (_a_ in _fig._ 10) is the upper sepal of
the calyx, and it serves as a cover to part of the petals. There are
four other portions of the calyx (_b_), which assume the appearance of
ordinary sepals. The petals are four in number; and they are united at
the lower part, and drawn out into a sort of tail, as shown at _c_;
while the upper part of two of them stands up like asses’ ears (_d_) in
the centre of the flower; and the others are curiously folded, so as to
form a hood over the stamens and carpels, as shown at _e_. The anthers
of the stamens resemble those of the Ranunculus; but the filaments
are bent, as shown at _f_. The carpels (_g_) are upright, hairy, and
terminate in a blunt, fleshy stigma (_h_). When ripe, they open in
the same manner as those of the Monkshood. The branching Larkspur
has a fusiform or tap root, as shown in _fig._ 11, in which _a_ is
the collar, or as the Italians call it _la noda vitale_; and _b_ the
fibrous roots, through the points of which the plant takes up its food.
[Illustration: FIG. 11.—TAP ROOT OF THE BRANCHING LARKSPUR.]
The flowers of the other kinds of Larkspur resemble this one in their
general appearance, though they differ in the minor details. Those of
the Rocket Larkspur (_D. Ajacis_) lose their spurs when they become
double; and those of the Bee Larkspurs have their petals nearly black,
and instead of standing up like ears, they are so curiously folded as
to resemble a bee nestling in the centre of the flower.
THE GENUS AQUILEGIA.
The common Columbine (_Aquilegia vulgaris_) differs from all the
flowers I have yet described in having the sepals and petals not
only of the same colour, but so intermingled as to be scarcely
distinguishable from each other. The flower (given on a reduced scale
at _a_ in _fig._ 12) is composed of five horn-shaped petals, which are
curved at the upper end, and form a kind of coronet round the stem;
and five oval sepals, which are placed alternately with them; all,
generally speaking, being of the same colour. The horn-shaped petal,
or nectary as it was called by Linnæus, is attached to the receptacle
at the thickened rim (_b_), while the sepal is attached at the point
(_c_); _d_ shows the disposition of the stamens; _e_ a separate
stamen, with its adnate anther; _f_ the inner row of stamens, which are
produced without anthers, and with their filaments growing together, so
as to form a thin membranaceous case for the carpels, which are shown
exposed at _g_. The carpels, when ripe, become follicles. The leaf
of the Columbine is bi-ternate; that is, it is cut into three large
divisions, each of which is cut into three smaller ones; so that it is
twice-ternate. The petiole or footstalk of the leaf sheaths the stem,
as shown at _h_, where the leaf is represented on a reduced scale to
suit the flower.
[Illustration: FIG. 12.—FLOWER AND LEAF OF THE COLUMBINE.]
I would advise such of my readers as are anxious to turn the preceding
pages to account, to procure as many of the plants I have described
as possible, and to compare them with each other, and with any other
plants belonging to the order Ranunculaceæ that they can obtain.
Those who have access to a botanic garden will have no difficulty
in finding the names of the genera included in the order; and those
who have not this advantage, must consult Don’s edition of Sweet’s
Hortus Britannicus, or any other catalogue in which the plants are
arranged according to the Natural System. When a number of specimens
have been collected, the student will be surprised to see how many
points of resemblance exist between them. The stems of all, when cut,
will yield a watery juice; which is always acrid, though some of the
plants are more poisonous than others. The stamens will be found to
be always numerous, and always attached to the receptacle below the
carpels; and the anthers are generally adnate, that is attached to the
filaments from one end to the other (see p. 12). The carpels are in
most cases numerous, and either distinct, or adhering in such a manner
as to show plainly the line of junction between them; they are also
always one-celled, whether one or many-seeded, and generally either
caryopsides (see p. 24), or follicles (see p. 28). The leaves are
generally divided into three or five lobes, each of which is cut into
several smaller divisions; and the petioles or leaf-stalks are very
frequently dilated at the base, and sheathing the stem. In most cases,
the flowers are of brilliant colours, several of them being cup-shaped,
and many with the calyx more ornamental than the corolla. The seeds
will generally keep good for several years; and several of them,
particularly those of the kind called caryopsides, when sown, are often
a long time before they come up.