To aid the reader in this part of his work we have given the name of the natural order with the name of every plant described; and, where difficulties are likely to occur in the identification of similar common species of the same genus, though perhaps only one member of the genus has been selected for description, a few notes are often included with the object of assisting in the identification of the others.
In our descriptions of wild flowers we do not always repeat those features which are common to the species of their respective orders. These features are, however, of the greatest importance; and thus it is essential that the reader makes himself acquainted with them, by referring to the synopsis of the orders, before noting those characters which are given as being more directly concerned in the determination of the species themselves. Thus, when we describe the Pasque Flower (p. 297) we do not refer to those general characters that apply to all the _Ranunculaceæ_ or Buttercup family, and which may be seen at once by referring to p. 17, but give all those details that are necessary to enable one to distinguish between the Pasque Flower and the other members of the same order.
(Leaves with netted veins. Parts of flower generally in fours or fives or multiples of four or five)
A. Corolla composed of free and separate petals.
1. Stamens attached to base of flower, beneath the pistil--Orders 1-22.
2. Stamens attached above or around the pistil--Orders 23-36.
_a._ Stamens on the corolla--Orders 37-41.
_a._ Stamens free from the corolla--Order 44.
_b._ Stamens on the corolla--Orders 45-59.
II. Flowers with calyx or corolla or both absent.
A. Flowers with corolla absent, and, generally, with stamens and pistil in the same flower.
B. Corolla and calyx usually absent. Stamens and pistil usually in separate flowers.
(Leaves usually with parallel veins. Parts of flower in threes or multiples of three)
I. Perianth (see p. 11), coloured or petal-like, not scaly. (Sometimes absent.)
1. Leaves with parallel veins--Orders 77-80.
II. Flowers without perianth, enclosed in scales or husks.
A. Grassy herbs, with solid stems; leaves forming unsplit sheaths round the stem; flowers in spikelets, with one to three stamens--Order 89.