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Gentianella (ERYNGIUM from a name adopted)

ERYNGIUM, from a name adopted by Pliny. N.O., Apiaceoe, or Umbellifers. LINNAEAN:5, Pentandria; 2, Digynia.--Between an eryngo and a parsley or hemlock, what a difference! It seems to the casual eye impossible that plants so apparently dissimilar can be so closely related. But as happens again and again, the gradations are of the most gentle kind in the several modifications, and thus the extreme forms are brought into harmony by the several links that unite them. The plants are herbaceous, the leaves divided, the flowers in umbels. Eryngium is an extreme form of an umbellifer; the inflorescence needs but to be carefully examined to reveal its relationships. CENTAUREA, a classical name commemorating the curing of a wound in the foot of Chiron, the centaur, by the juice of the plant. N.O., Asteraceoe. LINNAEAN: 19, Syngenesia; 3, Frustranea.

TACSONIA is named from tacso, by which one of the species is known in Peru. N.O., Passifloraceoe. LINNAEAN: 16, Monadelphia; 2, Pentandria.--The passion flowers constitute a magnificent family of herbs and shrubs, mostly of rampant growth and climbing habit. The flowers are unique in structure as well as in beauty; the fruits are often handsome, and make even more show than the flowers in some instances, while a certain number of them are edible, though as regards wholesomeness sometimes a little doubtful. The botanists are not agreed as to the structure of the flowers, for it is a question if there are any proper petals; but the view that appears to prevail is that the outer series of floral envelopes are sepals, and those within them petals. There is yet another view possible; to consider that there are no sepals, but the whole series within and without are petals.

TRITOMA, from treis, three, and temno, to cut, in allusion to the three sharp edges of the hard-textured leaves. N.O., Liliaceoe. LINNAEAN: 6, Hexandria; 1, Monogynia.

DAHLIA, named after Dahl, a Swedish botanist. N.O., Asteraceoe. LINNAEAN: 19, Syngenesia; 2, Superflua. "Broods there some spirit here ? The summer leaves hang silent as a cloud, And o'er the pools, all still and darkly clear, The wild wood-hyacinth with awe seems bowed; And something of a tender cloistral gloom Deepens the violet's bloom. "The very light, that streams Through the dim dewy veil of foliage round, Comes tremulous with emerald-tinted gleams, As if it knew the place were holy ground; And would not startle, with too bright a burst, Flowers, all divinely nursed."