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ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. g*

»r* generally composed of the ligneous fibre, which is seen inmjttie-ruus ramifications, and the Parenchyma, which is a fleshy or pulpysubstance placed on each side and covering the above. This substanceis generally tender, and parts from the ligneous fibre by maceration,leaving the skeleton of it behind. Leaves are both simple and com-pound.

Supports (Fulcra). These are usually attendant on the stalk, andare calculated to defend the plant from injury, and also to assist itsgrowth. It consists of eight different kinds, viz.

Bractea. Leaves growing with the flower, as is seen in Tilia, Lime-tree.

Pores Hairs accompanying the plant in different parts; as on theseed-vessel in the Sweet Briar, Rosa rubigmosa ; on the leaves, as inDead Nettle, Lcmium.

Pr.DUNcei.ns. The foot-stalk of a flower.

Stipule. Small leaves growing at the base of the petioles in certainplants.

ClRKHOS. A tendril or elasper by which the plant holds itself

up ; as in Ivy, he;Actual {Prickles). Small thorns fixed to the bark only, as in the

Rose.Spins (Thorns). Rigid prickles which take their rise and are fixed

in the wood : as in the Black Thorn, Primus spinosa.Stimuli. Hairs containing a sharp point, on which is placed anirritating fluid ; as in the Urtica wens. Stinging Nettle.Petiole (Peliolus). This is the stalk which connects the leaf withthe wood. It contains two sets of sap-vessels: those which contain thea cending fluid (the common sap) are supposed to terminate, and thosewhich take the returning fluid (the proper sap) are believed to com-mence, in the Petiole.

iHFtoRESCENCE. (The modes in which plants flower). Of these Lin-naeus enumerates several different kinds : the principal of which are,

1st, Veeticii.lus (or Whorl.) A mode of flowering in which theflowers are arranged circularly at each joint of the stem, having veryshort foot-stalks; as exemplified in the Mint, liorchound, and otherplants: hence called verticiUata. _

2nd Spica. __A mode of flowering in which the flowers are disposed

alternately on both sides or all round a simple common flower-stalk.In general the flowers aie scaled immed iately on the stalk, without anypartial foot-stalk ; or if there are any foot-stalks, they are very short.When these flowers grow all on one side it is called Spica securida, asin Cynosurus, Dog's-tail Grass; when on both sides, Spica disticha,&sm Barley, Hordeum.

3rd. Kacemu6. A mode of flowering in which, according to Lin-naeus, the fructification is placed along a common foot-stalk, and isfurnished with short proper foot-stalks, proceeding as lateral branchesfrom the common flower-stalk:—this is instanced in the flower of theVol. i. t>