SECTION II.

NATURAL ORDERS.

THE following arrangement of Natural Orders, is that of Jussieu, as approv ed by Mirbel, and adopted at the Jardin Des Plantes at Paris. Many of the subdivisions of Brown, De Candolle, and Lindley, are noticed under their proper heads. These orders are introduced that the student, by reference to them in the analysis of plants, may gain general ideas of the agreements which exist among the different vegetable tribes. The author would recommend to teachers, to give the advanced pupil these orders as an exercise for occasional recitations, dwelling chiefly on the most important divisions.

CLASS I. Acotyledons.

Embryo destitute of cotyledons, and a separate albumen.

1. FUNGI, or Mushroom-like plants. These are either parasitical, or spring from the ground naked or enclosed in a volva. The substance of mushrooms is fleshy, fungous, or mucilaginous. They are round or flat; some have a pileus, (signifying hat.) They have neither leaves nor flowers. Instead of anthers, they have a scattered, external or internal powder. Instead of pistils they have organs, which resemble thin plates, wrinkles, pores, tubes, &c. In these organs exists a substance analogous to seeds, called sporules, which germinates and reproduces the species. The different species of fungi are known by the common names of toad-stool, puff-ball, &c. The medicinal qualities of this order are, tonic when dry, narcotic when juicy. Some are eatable, others poisonous.

2. MUSCI. Moss-like plants. These are little herbaceous plants, often resembling trees in miniature. They grow in humid situations, and are found in the most northern latitudes which are known to produce vegetation. They resemble the Hepaticæ in their general appearance, but the latter are destitute of the operculum or lid which covers the seed vessel of the mosses.

3. ALGE. Sea-weed-like plants. Aquatic; differently coloured, herbaceous, cartilaginous or membranous; seeds contained in conceptacles, or in the substance of the plant. These plants are found both in salt waters, and in ponds, ditches and rivers. They are often mere tufts of fine filaments. Examples: Sea-rock weed, Fucus, and Conferva. (Plate 8. Figs. 8, 9, 10.)

4. LICHENS.* Seldom vegetating on the earth, sometimes upon living plants, as leaves and bark, often upon stone and dead wood; sometimes pulverulent, dry, or coriaceous; sometimes thick, woody, or fungous. Colour various. In dry places. Some used in dying; some, food for the arctic rein-deer.

5. FILICES. Fern-like plants. Roots fibrous, leaves radical, circinate when young. Capsules collected in clusters (sori) upon the frond or leaf. Examples: Common fern, scouring rush, &c.

6. HEPATICE. Liverwort plants. Succulent; some grow in earth, some in water, and others are parasites. Resemble the mosses in their general appearance. 7. NAIA DES Duck-meat Tribe. Floating plants with very cellular stems, and leaves scarcely to be distinguished. Astringent.

CLASS II. Monocotyledons.

Stamens hypogynous (below the germ.) Embryo with one cotyledon. The characters of this class are:-stamen inferior; calyx inferior, when present; stamen seldom indefinite; leaves mostly alternate and sheathing.

8. AROI DEÆ. The Arum tribe. Inflorescence a spadix, surrounded by a spatha. Leaves petioled, sheathing at the base with parallel or branching veins. Roots often tuberous. Properties: acrid and heating. Examples: Wild-turnip

and Calla.

9. TY'PHE. Cat-tail tribe. Growing in marshes or ditches. Leaves rigid, ensiform, with parallel veins. (See Plate 1. Fig. 6.)

10. CYPEROIDE. Sedge-grass tribe. Stem herbaceous, simple. Leaves grass-like. Petiole sheathing. Flowers glume-like, in spikes. Roots fibrous.

Ovary one-seeded, often surrounded by bristles. Examples: Carex, Cyperus, Scirpus, &c.

11. GRAMINEE. The Grasses. This is a very important family. The flowers have generally three stamens and one germ. The embryo is small and attached to a farinaceous albumen. In germinating, the cotyledon remains attached to the albumen and nourishes the plume. The roots are fibrous and capillary. The culms are cylindrical, hollow, or pithy. The flower and calyx consist of scales, called glumes. The chaffy flower, single seed, mealy albumen, situation of the embryo, and method of germination, distinguish, in a peculiar manner, this family. Properties: farinaceous, valuable as food for men and animals. Examples: wheat, meadow-grass, sugar-cane. (See Plate 2. Fig. 2, and Plate 4. Fig. 6.) CLASS III. Monocotyledons.

Stamens perigynous (around the germ.)

Fruits with three cells. Embryo small, with a large albumen.

12. PAL/ME. The Palm tribe. This family is a native of warm climates. The flowers are often dioecious. (See ARECA oleracea, Plate 1. Fig. 1.) The number of stamens is usually six; the filaments are often united at the base. The germ is superior; corolla deeply parted into six segments, the three outer ones being smallest. The germ is superior. The fruit is a berry or a fibrous drupe, the albumen of which is, at first, tender and eatable, and at last becomes hard. The stems of palms are usually undivided, lofty, and round; they are not composed of concentric circles, being endogenous or growing internally; they are scaly from the remains of the indurated foot-stalks of leaves. The leaves of palms appear in a terminal tuft, alternate and sheathing.

13. LILIA CEE. Lily-like plants. Six petals spreading gradually from the base, and exhibiting a bell-form appearance, but differing from the campanulate flow. ers in being polypetalous. The number of stamens is generally six, sometimes but three, usually alternate with the petals. The germ is always of a triangular form, and contains three cells; the roots are mostly bulbous. The calyx is usually wanting; the stems are simple, without branches; the leaves entire, and nerved. To this family belong the tulip, lily, crown-imperial, dog-tooth violet, &c. Plants of this natural family usually belong to the artificial class, Hexandria; the Crocus and Ixia, having 3 stamens, belong to the class Triandria. (Plate 7. Fig. 4.)

14. ASPARAGI. Asparagus-like plants. Corolla, monopetalous, 6-parted. Stamens six. Fruit a berry, superior, 3-celled. Roots fasciculated. Examples: Asparagus and Convallaria. (See Plate 1. Fig. 3, for a plant of this family.) 15. NARCIS'SI. Roots mostly bulbous. Leaves sessile, elongated, alternate; radical leaves sheathing. Flowers with spathas; panicled, corymbed or solitary. Perianth, which is usually called a corolla, 6-parted. Stamens 6, inserted into the tube of the perianth. Style 1. Stigma simple or 3-parted, Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, or 3-parted. Seed with a perisperm. Examples: Narcissus and Ga

lanthus.

16. IRIDEE. Iris-like plants. Root tuberous. Leaves sessile, alternate, equitant, compressed, ensiform. Flowers with spathas. Perianth petal-like, 6-parted, 3 internal, external. Stamens 3. Style 1. Stigmas 3, often petaloid. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded. Examples: Iris, Gladiolus, Roots useful in dropsical complaints, antiscorbutic. (Plate 6. Fig. 6.)

17. JUNCE'. The Rush tribe. Flowers imperfect, glumaceous. Leaves fistular, or flat and channelled, with parallel veins. Examples: Juncus, Luzula. The leaves are used for bottoming chairs. Medicinal properties doubtful. (Plate 8. Fig. 7.)

18. BROME'LIE. Pine-apple tribe. Leaves radical, ensiform, caniculate. Scape short. Fruit a sorose, ovate succulent, surmounted with a crown of leaves. Examples: Bromelia, Agave. (See Plate 5. Fig. 3.)

19. ASPHODELI. Asphodel tribe. Stamens 6; corolla 6-parted; germ 3-celled. Roots bulbous, or fasciculated. Examples: Onion, Hyacinth. Properties: acrid and stimulating.

20. COMMELI'NEE. The Spider-wort tribe. Examples: Tradescantia, Commelina. Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually sheathing at the base. This family is taken from Junceæ.

21. ALISMA CEE. The Arrow-head tribe. Examples: Sagittaria, Alisma, Taken from Juncem. (Plate 3. Figs. 4, 5.)

22. COLCHICE E. Colchicum tribe. Emetic and cathartic. Examples: Colchicum, Melanthium. This order is by some called Melanthacea.

CLASS IV. Monocotyledons.

Stamens epigynous, (above the germ.)

23. ORCHIDEE. Orchis-like plants. Roots fibrous or tuberous. Stem simple. Leaves mostly radical, sheathing; cauline ones sessile. Flowers bracted, commonly in a spike, seldom solitary. Perianth irregular, 6-parted, 3 divisions external, 3 internal, and 9-petaloid; a lower one in the form of a lip, often spurred. Stamens 3, adnate to the style in part or wholly; two are usually abortive. Style thick. Stigma oblique, viscid, Examples: Orchis, Cypripedium, Neottia. Properties: farinaceous and emollient.

24. Mu'sE. Banana tribe. Examples: Plantain-tree, (Musa,) Bread-fruit, (Artocarpus.) (See Plate 2. Fig. 4.)

25. CAN NE. The Indian reed-tribe. This is subdivided into Marantacea, the arrow-root tribe, and Amomæ, or Scitaminacea, the ginger tribe. Properties: aromatic, and carminative. (Plate 3. Fig. 4.)

26. HYDROCHARIDES. Tape-grass tribe. Floating plants. Examples: Hydrocharis, Vallisneria. (Plate 8. Fig. 1.)

CLASS V. Dicotyledons.

Apetalous-Stamens epigynous. Calyx superior. Monosepalous, (above the germ.) 27. ARISTOLO'CHIE. Wild ginger tribe. Perennial. Flowers Gynandrous. Examples: Virginia snake-root, (Aristolochia,) Wild ginger, (Asarum.) CLASS VI. Dicotyledons.

Stamens perigynous, (around the germ.) Perianth single, in some cases resembling a calyx, in others a corolla.

28. ELEAGNE. Flowers diœcious. Fruit a drupe or nut. Leaves alternate. Trees or shrubs. Examples: Pepperage-tree and Eleagnus.

29. HYMELE E. Under-shrubs. Stamens 8. Style 1. Fruit, a drupeole. Cotyledons large, fleshy. Perisperm, thin. Examples: Leather-wood and Daphne. Bark caustic when chewed.

30. PROTEE. Silver-tree tribe. Deciduous shrubs from the Cape of Good Hope. Example: Protea.

31. LAURI, (or Laurinea.) The Laurel tribe. Trees. Flowers Enneandrous; 4 to 6 cleft. Fruit a berry or drupe. The American plants of this family are the spice-bush, (Laurus benzoin,) and Sassafras. Medicinal properties various and important.

32. POLYGO'NEE. The Dock tribe. Herbaceous. Leaves alternate, at first revolute, petioled. Flowers panicled, or in a spike. Fruit a nut, usually triangular, as in the buckwheat. Seed with farinaceous albumen. Examples: Dock, rhubarb, buckwheat.

33. ATRIP LICES. Pig-weed tribe. Flowers with little beauty. Herbs or small shrubs. The beet, poke-weed, and pig-weed, are examples of this family. The pig-weed is by some arranged in a new order, Chenopodeæ; and the pokeweed in another, Phytolacceæ.

CLASS VII. Dicotyledons.

Stamens, (beneath the germ.)

34. AMARANTHI. Coxcomb-like plants. Stem herbaceous. Leaves entire. Flowers small, numerous, often bracted, sometimes imperfect, in a head, raceme or spike. Perianth often coloured, monose palous. Pericarp either a pyxide or utricle. Example: Amaranthus.

35. PLANTAGIN'EE. Plantain tribe. Herbaceous. Leaves many-nerved. Flowers sessile, bracted in a spike. Stamens 4. Pyxide 4-celled, many-seeded. Example: Plantain. Useful as a pot herb. Emollient.

36. NYCTA'GINES. Mirabilis tribe. The principal family in this order is the Four o'clock, (Mirabilis.) Properties: cathartic and emetic.

37. PLUMBA GINES. Marsh rosemary tribe. Herbs or under-shrubs. Leaves alternate or clustered. Corolla regular. Stamens 5, ovary 1-celled; ovule, pendulous. Fruit, a utricle. Properties: astringent, tonic. Example: Statice.

CLASS VIII. Dicotyledons.

Corollas monopetalous. hypogynous, (below the germ,) regular or irregular, bearing the sta mens, which generally alternate with its segments when of equal number; germ superior. 38. LYSIMACH'IE, (or Primulacea.) The Loose strife, or primrose tribe. A fami

ly comprising many showy flowers, but belonging to genera which differ much in the appearance of their inflorescence. Examples: Trientalis, Primula, Lysimachia.

39. Pedicula'res, (or Rhinantheæ.) This family contains genera of plants which appear to have little natural resemblance, as Rhinanthus, Pedicularis, Bartsia, &c.

40. ÁCAN THI, (or Acanthacea.) Contains no important genera. Examples: Malabar-nut, (Justicia,) and Ruellia.

41. JASMINEE. Lilac tribe. Trees or shrubs. Leaves generally opposite. Flowers in a thyrse or corymb. Stamens 2. Pericarp 2-celled, 2-seeded, a berry or drupe, or capsular. Example: Lilac, (Syringa.)

42. VITICES, (or Verbenacea.)

stimulant.

The Verbena tribe. Properties: secernent

43. LABIATE. Mint like plants. A very extensive family; of importance in seasoning food, as Sage, Summer-savory, and thyme; medicinal, as Catnip, Mint, Horehound, &c.

44. SCROPHULA RIE, (or Persone@.) Flowers with personate corollas, as snapdragon, (Anterhinum.) Scrophularia, and Digitalis. Properties: narcotic. 45. SOLA'NEE. Potato-like plants. Stamens 5. Pericarp sometimes a berry, sometimes a pyxide or a capsule. Examples: Potato, Tomato, Red pepper, (Capsicum.) Narcotic, stimulating.

46. BORAGINE. Borage-like plants. Leaves often rough, or pubescent. Examples: Borago, Myosotis. Properties: emollient.

47. CONVOLVULI. Convolvulus tribe. Stem often twining. Peduncles axillary or terminal. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5-lobed. Stamens 5. Some (as the sweet potato, Convolvulus batatus) are edible, some (as Convolvulus panduratus) are medicinal.

48. POLEMO NIE. Phlox-like plants. Herbs. Calyx 5-parted. lobed, regular, stamens 5. Examples: Phlox Polemonium.

Corolla 5

49. BIGNO NIE. Trumpet-flower tribe. Mostly trees or shrubs, often climbing or twining. Examples: Bignonia, Catalpa.

50. GENTIANE. The Gentian tribe. Calyx monosepalous, 5 to 10-divided. Corolla with usually as many lobes as the divisions of the calyx. Herbs, seldom shrubs. Leaves opposite without stipules. A division of this family, Spigeliacea, contains the Carolina Pink, (Spigelia,) used in medicine as a vermifuge. The Frasera, or American Columbo root, which is very bitter, is valued as a cathartic.

51. SAPO'TE. West India plum. A family of little importance.

52. APOCY'NEE. Dog-bane tribe. Herbs or small shrubs. Leaves opposite. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5-parted. Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla. Pericarp a double follicle, Follicle many-seeded. A division of this fruit, Asclepiada, or milk-weed plants, have a milky juice.

CLASS IX. Dicotyledons.

Corolla monopetalous, perigynous, (around the germ.) 53. EBENA CEE. The Ebony tribe. Example: Diospyros.

54. KLENA CEE. The Persimon tribe. Example: Sarcolana, a foreign plant. 55. RHODODENDRE. The rose-bay tribe. Herbs and shrubs. Flowers often bracted. Inflorescence various. Included by De Candolle in the next order. 56. ERI CEE. Heath-like plants. Shrubs, or under-shrubs. Leaves evergreen, rigid, entire, whorled, or opposite, without stipules. Examples: Arbutus Gaultheria, Kalmia.

57. GUAIACA NE. Example: Lignum vita. The gum-guaiacum of medicine is from a plant of this family.

58. CAMPANULA CEE. The Bell-flower tribe. Calyx usually 5-parted, Corolla 5-lobed, inserted into the top of the calyx, withering on the fruit. Stamens 5. Leaves simple, or deeply divided. Examples: Campanula, Lobelia. Lindley makes a subdivision, Lobelia'cea, in which is the genus Lobelia, a species of which, called the Indian tobacco, is powerfully medicinal, and often improperly used by ignorant practitioners.

CLASS X. Dicotyledons.

Corollas monopetalous, epigynous, (above the germ,) anthers united.

59. CICHORA CEE. Flowers Syngenesious. Calyx divided into hairs or pappus.

Corolla either ligulate, or tubular. Stamens 5, alternating with the teeth of the corolla; filaments distinct, anthers forming a cylinder by their coherence. Ovary inferior 1-celled, with a single erect ovule. Style single; stigmas 2. Fruit an achenium. Seed solitary, erect. Examples: Dandelion and Lettuce. Antiscorbutic, and mild anodyne.

60. CINAROCEPHALE. Examples: Thistle and Burdock, differs little from the preceding.

61. CORYMBIFERE. Thorough-wort plants. Examples: Eupatorium and Rudbeckia. Very valuable for their medicinal qualities. The compound flowers are by some writers classed under the general head Composite, and subdivided into numerous sections, viz: Carduacea, or the Thistle tribe, Asterea, or the Aster tribe, Eupatorineæ, or the Thorough-wort tribe, Jacobea, or the Colt'sfoot tribe, and Helianthea, or the Sunflower tribe.

CLASS XI. Dicotyledons.

Corolla monopetalous, epigynous, (above the germ,) anthers distinct.

62. DIPSA CEÆ. Teasel plants. Flowers densely capitate. Leaves opposite of whorled. Herbs or under-shrubs. Examples: Teasel, Button-bush.

63. RUBIA CEE. Bed-straw tribe. Leaves whorled, very entire. Flowers axillary or terminal. Stamens 4, ovary simple, fruit a dieresil, 2-seeded. Examples: Galium, Rubia. Some of this family are of use in dying.

64. CAPRIFO'LIÆ. Elder, Snow-ball, and Honey-suckle-like plants. Shrubs. Ovary cohering with the calyx; fruit crowned by its limb. Leaves_opposite. Flowers terminal, corymbose or axillary. Examples: Viburnum, Lonicera, Symphoria.

CLASS XII. Dicotyledons.

Corolla polypetalous; stamens epigynous, (above the germ.)

65. ARA LEE. Ginseng tribe. Calyx superior. Stamens 5 or 6, or 10 or 12, arising from within the border of the calyx; ovary with many cells; ovules solitary, pendulous; styles equal in number to the cells. Trees, shrubs, or herbs, resembling umbelliferous plants in their habit. Examples: Spikenard, (Aralia,) Ginseng, (Panax.)

66. UMBELLIFERE. Parsley-like plants. Stem herbaceous. Leaves mostly pinnate or pinnatifid. Flowers in umbels. Calyx adhering to the germ. Corolla 5-petalled. Stamens 5. Style and stigma 2. Fruit a cremocarp. Seeds closed, remaining after maturity, suspended to a central axis. Examples: Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Caraway. Uses and medicinal qualities various. The following subdivision has been made of this tribe: 1st, Hydrocotoliæ; umbels simple or imperfect. Examples: Water-hemlock, (Cicuta,) Water-parsnip, (Sium,) Fool's-parsley, and Angelica; 2d, Campylosperma; Sweet cicely, and Hemlock, (Conium.)

CLASS XIII. Dicotyledons.

Corolla polypetalous; stamens hypogynous, (under the germ.)

67. RANUNCULA CEE. A very large order, containing the Virgin's-bower, Ranunculus, Anemone, Hepatica, &c. Calyx with many definite sepals, or manyparted. Stamens and pistils numerous. Fruit often consists of dry nuts or carpels. Herbs or under-shrubs. Leaves simple, often variously lobed and subdivided, petioled. Some of this family, as the gold thread, (Coptis,) are highly astringent, some are valuable as dies, and some are beautiful as ornamental flowers.

68. PAPAVERA CEE. Poppy-like plants. Lactescent. Stem herbaceous. Leaves alternate. Flowers solitary, in a spike or umbel. Calyx 2-3 sepalled, caducous. Stamens numerous. Examples: Poppy, Blood-root. Properties: narcotic, anodyne.

69. CRUCIFERE. Plants with cruciform corollas, as cabbage, turnip, radish. Stem herbaceous. Leaves alternate. Flowers corymbed, panicled or in a spike. Calyx 4-sepalled. Corolla 4-petalled. Stamens 6, solitary, 4 disposed in two pairs. Glands nectariferous. Fruit a silique. Chiefly useful as garden vegetables. This order is subdivided into Siliculosa, pods short, and Siliquosa, pods long.

70. CAPPAR'IDES. A small order. Cruciform plants. Examples: Cleome, Gynandropsis.

71. SAPIN'DI. Example: Soap-berry, (Sapindus.)

72. ACE'RA, (or Acerinea) Maple tribe. Trees, with opposite, simple, rarely