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; theClematis; the Christmas Rose; the Winter Aconite; Monkshood;the Larkspur; and the Columbine

[9]

The Genus Ranunculus, 1[10]—The Genus Ficaria, [16]—The GenusPæonia, [18]—The Genus Anemone, [19]—The Genus Clematis, [23]—TheGenus Helleborus, &c. [25]—The Genus Aconitum, [27]—TheGenus Delphinium, [29]—The Genus Aquilegia, [31].
CHAPTER II.

The Order Leguminosæ: illustrated by the Sweet Pea; the RedClover; Acacia armata; the Sensitive Plant; the BarbadoesFlower-fence; the Carob-tree; the Tamarind; the Senna; theGleditschia; the Logwood; the Judas-tree; and the KentuckyCoffee-tree

[35]

Tribe I. Papilionaceous Flowers, [36]—II. Mimosæ, [41]—III. Cæsalpineæ,[44].
CHAPTER III.

The Order Rosaceæ: illustrated by different kinds of Roses; thePotentilla; the Strawberry; the Raspberry; Spiræa; Kerria orCorchorus 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; Pyrusor 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 ofFuchsia; 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 GenusClarkia, [83].
CHAPTER V.

The Order Rubiaceæ: illustrated by the Cinchona, or PeruvianBark; 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 andits allies, 8[9]—The Genus Rondeletia and its allies, [90]—TheGenus Coffea and its allies, [91]—The Genus Galium and itsallies, [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 BesomHeath; the Moor Heath; Cape Heaths; Ling or Heather;Andromeda; Lyonia; St. Dabæoc’s Heath; Arbutus; theBearberry; Gaultheria; Clethra; Rhododendron; Indian orChinese 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 CommonWhite Jasmine; the Yellow Jasmine; the Privet; the Phillyrea;the Olive; the Fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginica);the Lilac; the Common Ash; and the Manna or FloweringAsh

[133]

Tribe I. Jasmineæ, [134]—II. Oleineæ, [136].
CHAPTER IX.

The Order Solanaceæ: illustrated by the Bitter-Sweet; GardenNightshade; Potato; Egg-Plant; Tomato; Capsicum; WinterCherry; 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; theHop; the Hemp; the Pellitory of the Wall; the Bread-FruitTree; the Jack-tree; the Cow-tree, or Palo de Vacca; theUpas 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-RubberTree; and Ficus religiosa

[157]

Tribe I. Urticaceæ, [158]—II. Artocarpæ, [163].
CHAPTER XI.

The Catkin-bearing Trees: illustrated by the Walnut; theHickory; the Willow; the Poplar; the Alder; the Birch;the Oak; the Beech; the Sweet Chesnut; the Hazel; theHornbeam; the Hop Hornbeam; the Plane Trees; the Liquidambar;Myrica; Comptonia; Casuarina; and Garrya elliptica

[174]

Juglandaceæ, the Walnut Tribe, [176]—the Genus Juglans, [ib.]—theGenus Carya, [180]—Salicaceæ, the Willow Tribe, [181]—theGenus Salix, [182]—the Genus Populus, [184]—Betulaceæ, theBirch Tribe, [187]—the Genus Betula, [188]—the Genus Alnus,[189]—Cupuliferæ, the Cup-bearing Trees, [190]—the GenusQuercus, [191]—the Genus Fagus, [195]—the Genus Castanea, [198]—theGenus Corylus, [200]—the Genus Carpinus, [201]—theGenus Ostrya, [202]—the Order Platanaceæ, [ib.]—the GenusPlatanus, [ib.]—the Genus Liquidambar, [203]—the Order Myricaceæ,[ib.]—the Genus Myrica, [204]—the Order Garryaceæ, [ib.]—theGenus Garrya, ib
CHAPTER XII.

The Cone-bearing Trees: illustrated by the Scotch Pine; theSpruce 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 GenusPinus, [209]—the Genus Abies, the Spruce Fir, [212]—the GenusPicea, the Silver Fir, [214]—the Genus Larix, the Larch, [216]—theGenus 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, theJuniper, [225]—§ III. Taxineæ, the Yew Tribe, [228]—the GenusTaxus, the Yew, [ib.]—the Order Cycadæ, [229].

PART II.

Sketch of the Natural System, according to ProfessorDecandolle[231]
Introduction[ib.]
CHAPTER I.
Phanerogamous Plants—Dicotyledoneæ—I. Dichlamydeæ[239]
ORDERPAGE
§ 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.
133.		⦘ Pedalineæ and Sesameæ[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]