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The stem of this nettle is square, and the four corners are strengthened by a thick filament. The peduncle of the leaves carries, like a canal, the rain water to the crown of flowers at its base. The calyx has five points which seem intended to defend the blossom, and is spotted with black towards the lower part, while the two sides of the stem, which support no leaves, are also tinged with the same colour.

The fumitory is a salutary and useful plant, which is employed with advantage in many

cases.

Its thin leaves, widely separated from each other, of a light green, and extending on every side their flexible shelter, seem to form around the plant a brilliant cloud of verdure.

The stem of the plant is almost imperceptibly channelled, in order, probably, that the drops of rain may more easily reach its root.

The flowers are disposed in a small bunch, and their colour is that of the rose.

From the stem arises a small green stipule to support the peduncle. The appellation of stipule is given to two follicles which are found at the base of the peduncles. Two small white wings replace the calyx, and bear the flower, which is composed of several pieces at the top, but united at the base, so that, in reality, the fumetory is monopetalous.

Tamerlane, deluged the plains of Asia. Such, it is said, are now the Kalinouks, the only true Tartars, and already to be dreaded.

The three first volumes of the " Spectacle de la Nature," contain some simple practical elementary observations on the charms of natural history, which form a very pleasing lecture, and one soon becomes accustomed to the author's trivialities. I remember to have found there amusing descriptions of the tubercles, which are formed by the insect that gnaw the leaves. I believe the insect penetrates between the first skin of the leaf and the substance, which causes it to swell. There are insects bold enough to leave their eggs even in the body of the caterpillar, which they pierce with their sting.

I have just gathered the greater celandine; it is a large yellow plant, with four petals, called in Latin chelidomum majus. I do not remark any appearance of calyx. A number of stamina yellow like the corol, and which appear to me not precisely determined, place it in the polyandria. A simple green pistil makes it belong to the order of monogynia.

The fruit is a long silicle.

I open it with the assistance of a pin before the grains are entirely matured, and I find in each side more than sixty small seeds that shine like little pearls, they are ranged in two rows.

I had also the cruelty to open a bud-sweet but frail hope!

One of those pieces serves for a covering to the whole of the flower; two others are below the first, and conceal the parts of fructification; the fourth and last are only thin filaments which sup-envelope, slightly armed with little hairs. I do

port the weight of the three superior ones. Take away the first of those parts of the petal which I have already described, and you will find the pistil, between two bundles of stamina, but so little that my eyes can hardly number them. They are six divided into two separate bodies, so that I am certain that my fumitory or fumaria officinalis belongs, according to Linnæus, to the diadelphia hexandria.

The learned will laugh, perhaps, at my description; but tell me, ny dear Eugenia, whether my explanations are plain, and I faithfully describe what my eyes consider and study.

LETTER VII.

MY DEAR EUGENIA,

I thank you for your observations on the tubercles of the leaves, which give birth to whole families of flowers. They recal to my mind the vales of Tartary, where, amidst the rocks and mountains, far distant from other nations, who are ignorant of their existence, myriads of generations arise to invade and conquer them.Such were the tribes which, under Gengis and

My merciless pin severed in two a sort of green

not know what becomes of this envelope at the perfect inflorescence, as I do not find it in the blown flowers.

Under this envelope you distinguish the four yellow petals destined to expand, but folded one over the other with a truly admirable art. Under these small veils, so well arranged, prosper and increase the little regiment of stamina, with the pistil in the centre, an emblem of fraternal innocence, they grow in the same cradle.

The leaves of the greater celandine, slightly lined with white, are notched, and seem to lengthen and divide themselves into three. They thicken and multiply towards the bottom of the plant, and generally the greater celandine grows

in tufts.

That heap of leaves which clothe the soil, adds mystery to the shades of the forest.

When you break the stem, a yellow liquor appears. It is very seldom that the juice of plants has any colour.

I now gather the greater centaury, or blue bottle, in Latin centaurea jacea. I distinguish in this plant, otherwise not very agreeable, a disk and a ray, composed of florets. You must study these florets, to discover to what class it belongs.

I pluck one from the disk, and find five stamina united by their purple anthers, and surrounding a small weak pistil.

This aggregation of anthers announces the syngenesia. I see that the florets of the disk are hermaphrodite. I take one from the ray, find it to be neuter, and my plant is ranged in the order of polygamia frustranea.

The greater centaury is of a redish purple. It is destined to grow every where, and is supported by a tough stem, rough to the touch. The leaves, which partake of the same roughness, are long, narrow, without notches, and few in number. Those I have afford a retreat to rapacious insects, who penetrate under the leaves, the inside of which they hollow out, which gives to the exterior the appearance of being covered with white streaks.

LETTER VIII.

MY DEAR EUGENIA,

The anthirrinum linaria, or toad-flax, is found every where; it is a flower in the shape of a muzzle, whose straight and delicate stem carries narrow (or to use the scientific term) linear leaves, which are of the softest green.

The plant from the middle of its leaves, which become larger at the base, throws out several small branches, covered with flowers, from the centre of which arises the main stem. The flowers, alternately ranged around the stem, are supported by a slender peduncle, that carries a small leaf.

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time after the blossom is over the pistil still remains implanted in the calyx, and watches over the seeds, like the shadow of a mother over the cradle of her children.

The four stamina, two of which are short and two long, are purple, like the flower, and have their yellow anthers edged with black. They are placed on each side of the flower; you find in separating the two sides of the corol that a large and small stamen are attached to each side, and approaching each other, forming a double arch.

These features denote the didynamia. The seeds, almost imperceptible, are covered by a pericarp, and belong to the order of angiospermia

Now we are at this class I will describe to you the melampyrum arvense, or purple cow-wheat. It is found in every corn field. This plant grows rather high; its flowers are in heads closely ranged, and intermixed with a great many flora! leaves, which resemble the beard of corn, and are of a reddish purple.

Each flower terminates into a muzzle, and forms at its base a large tube, which lengthens, and is placed on an excessively short peduncle in the centre of a very large calyx, of the same hue as the floral leaf that supports it, and cut in the same manner.

Floral leaves, or bractes, are those which grow with the flower, and wear divers shapes.

When those leaves and the calyx begin to fade they lose their colour, and become of a pale green; but when the plant is in its prime, the lower part of its stem is also covered with green leaves, which are placed opposite each other at some distance, without peduncle, in the shape of grass.

The tube of the flower is of a reddish hue, but. becomes white towards the muzzle, the two sides and under part of which are spotted with yellow. The superior lip, narrow and like a hood, completely conceals the stamina, which the inferior lip, rising immediately beneath, supports as on a

These little flowrets are of a light grey colour, and very beautiful. The superior lip, darker than the inferior, is striped with purple, the other with lilac; nothing can be more elegant than the appearance of the whole. The two lips are always exactly placed one above the other, the upper one is slit in the middle, and forms two wings. But when the flower is still in bud, these two wings are bent down, to fill up every vacancy. The inferior lip is swelled at the open-platform. ing of the muzzle, and tinged with yellow, undoubtedly from the dust of the stamina concealed within the flower, for this tint appears to me to lie on the surface. This lip is lengthened into three divisions, as small beards, they are neatly cut, and form three little concave circles.

The calyx is divided into five parts, and separates the small spur from the flower, supports it on its peduncle, and becomes the receptacle of the seeds, which it closely encircles and pro

tects.

Opening the little muzzle with great precaution, we discover a pistil supported on an ovary fastened to the bottom of the calyx, so that some

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Nothing can be prettier than the body of ermine which edges the interior of the superior lip.

The pistil is a slight filament, which serves as an elastic support to the superior lip, which seems to form a little helmet. When I opened this flower some fine white dust flew from the anthers, and covered my fingers.

I could not remark any very great difference in the dimensions of the four stamina; two of them appeared to me to be more particularly attached to the upper, and two to the inferior part of the corol. This plant, as most of the labiate, is ranged in the didynamia; its seeds enveloped in a capsule, place it in the angiospermia order,

LETTER IX.

MY DEAR EUGENIA,

The field-sage, salvia pratensis, is at present in bloom; you must hasten to gather it. The hay makers are hard at work, and I see with pain passing by in their carts all the riches of our herbal.

Sage is a species of labiate, and, however, is not ranged in that class, which is already so

numerous.

It has but two stamina, attached by a sort of spring to the inferior lip. The pistil is extremely long, and bends to unite with the two anthers.

When it is completely blown, the pistil bifid, that is to say, slightly split at the end, rises above the other lip.

The flower of the finest purple, or dark violet, presents a concave under lip, quite separate from the little helmet formed by the other lip. This under lip slightly slit through the middle, but deeper on the sides, forms two small wings.

The calyx of a reddish hue, is furrowed, and protected by short hairs, which grow close together, like those of a little brush. This calyx is dented in on each side, and still deeper under the lower lip. The upper lip is without any dent.

The flowers are verticillate, and ranged in little tufts, placed at some distance from each other round their stem, which is square, of a reddish hue, and hairy like the calyx.

Two little floral leaves shaped like a heart, and whose broadest part surrounds the stem, support the aggregation of flowers, and are placed opposite each other. The under part of these leaves is hairy like the calyx.

There is no need I should explain to you, that what are called alternate leaves, are those placed at equal distances, and ascending after each other. Opposite leaves are those which answer to the two opposed ends of the stem. They almost always form a cross.

The sage deposits at the bottom of its calyx two uncovered seeds, which remain attached there until they become ripe.

The smell of this plant is very powerful.

It has very few leaves towards its base, rises quite straight, and throws out several branches, above which appears the stem.

Its class is the diandria; its order monogynia.

For our second study we will take Venus's looking-glass, or campanula speculum. It is a very pretty flower, that grows amongst corn, and which now is nearly over.

It does not rise very high, but throws out a great many small branches, which are very thin, and all terminate in branches of purple flowers.

The flowers monopetalous, have five notches rather deep, and a well-marked fold in the middle of each of them. This fold enters into the flower, while the notched part remains on the outside, and forms of this flower a small purse, which shuts at night and opens to the light. This little flower is shaded with white at the bottom of its coral, externally as well as internally; and some time before the flower is completely over the purple shades become pale and discoloured.

Its calyx has five divisions, thin like grass, and which form a little circumference at some distance from the coral.

It seems to me, if I do not mistake, that the species of pistil which supports this flower is no other thing than the ovary itself, or more likely the contimation of the calyx, that preserves the depot of grains. They are imperceptible, numberless, and as in a little pod, when the flower has faded away. The case, of a very fine texture, is triangular and furrowed. It rests upon

the little branches.

Each small petiole, that announces a flower at its extremity, is supported by a leaf. The plant otherwise has but few, they are united and round.

The plant affects no particular shape. It forms at the side of the corn a little bush, which spreads its purple flowers to the sight, instead of branches, leaves, and thorns.

My plant contains five weak stamina; the pistil is longer and stronger than any of them, which makes me think that the flower inclines itself to facilitate fecundation.

The class of this plant is the pentandria, and its order monogynia.

My dear friend, I think I have given you enough for to-day, my time does not permit me to say more. Yesterday part of the flowers I had gathered drooped while I held them. It was truly affecting, those poor little plants slumbered in the hand that had severed them from life,

[To be continued.]

THE CULINARY SYSTEM.
[Continued from Page 41.]

be more time to execute them; and servants, by doing their work with ease, will be more equal to it, and fewer will be necessary.

It is worthy of notice, that the general expence will be reduced, if every thing be kept in its proper place, applied to its proper use, and mended, when the nature of an accident will allow, as soon as broken.

In our last essay upon this subject we concluded with some miscellaneous precepts of domestic economy, which are necessary to form the frugal and complete housekeeper. Although they treat upon trivial subjects, they are not, therefore, to be despised. The system of econo-i my, when broken into its component parts, will be found a system of items and details; nothing is too minute for its attention, and it is impossible to comprehend the whole without a previous study of the parts. We shall recommence, therefore, with some servants; into each of whose care the articles practical precepts:

Accounts should be regularly kept, and not the smallest articles omitted to be entered; and if balanced every week or month, the income and outgoings will be ascertained with facility, and their proportions to each other be duly observed. Some people approve of keeping in separate purses the money for different purpo es, as domestic articles, clothes, pocket, education of children, &c.

Whichever way accounts be kept, some certain method should be adopted and strictly adhered to.

Many families have owed their prosperity full as much to the conduct and propriety of female management, as to the knowledge and activity of the father.

Those who are served with brewer's beer, or any other thing not paid for on delivery, should have a book for entering the date; which will not only prevent overcharges, but at one view give the annual consumption.

It is much to be feared, that for the waste of many of the good things that God has given for our use, not abuse, the mistress and servants of great houses will hereafter be called to a strict

account.

Some part of every person's fortune should be devoted to charity; by which "a pious woman will build up her house before God, while she that is foolish (i. e. lends nothing to the Lord,) pulls it down with her hands." No one can complain of the want of gifts to the poor in this land; but there is a mode of relief which would add greatly to their comfort, and which being prepared from superfluity, and such materials as are often thrown away, the expences would not be felt.

By good hours, especially early breakfast, a family is more regular, and much time is saved. If orders be given soon in the morning, there will

An inventory of furniture, linen, and china should be kept, and the things examined by it twice a year, or oftener, if there be a change of

used by him or her, should be entrusted, with a list, as is done with plate. Tickets of parchment with the family name, numbered, and specifying what bed it belongs to, should be sewed on each feather bed, bolster, pillows, and blanket.

Many well-meaning servants are ignorant of the best means of managing, and thereby waste as much as would maintain a small family, be. sides causing the mistress of the house much chagrin by their irregularity; and many families, from a want of method, have the appearance of chance rather than regular system. To avoid which the following hints may be useful.

All things likely to be wanted should be in readiness; sugars of different qualities should be kept broken, currants washed, picked, and dry in a jar; spice pounded, &c.

Where regular noonings or suppers are used (and in every house some preparation is necessary for accidental visitors,) care should be taken to have such things in readiness as may be proper for either; a list of several will be subjoined, a change of which will be agreeable, and if properly managed will be attended with no great expence.

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Every article should be kept in that place best suited to it, as much waste may thereby be avoided, viz.

Vegetables will keep best on a stone floor, if the air be excluded-meat in a cold dry placesugar and sweetmeats require a dry place; so does salt-candles cold, but not damp-dried meats, hams, &c. the same-all sorts of seeds for puddings, saloop, rice, &c. should be close covered to preserve from insects. Flour should be kept in a cool perfectly dry room, and the bag being tied should be changed upside down and back every week, and well shaken-Soap should be cut with a wire or twine, in pieces that form a long square, when first brought in, and kept out of the air two or three weeks; for if it dry

quick, it will crack, and when wet break. Put it on a shelf, leaving a space between, and let it grow hard gradually. Thus, it will save a full third in the consumption.-Cheese should be washed and wiped if you wish to preserve it! sound, and the shelves be washed; changing the place every three or four weeks; but if it be wanted to ripen, a damp cellar will bring it forward.

Bread is now so heavy an article of expence that all waste should be guarded against, and having it cut in the room will tend much to prevent it; since the scarcity in 1795 and 1800, that custom has been much adopted. It should not be cut until a day old; earthen pans and covers keep it best.

Rolls, muffins, or any sort of bread, may be made to taste new when two or three days old, by dipping it uncut in water, and baking afresh or trasting.

Eggs may be bought cheapest when the hens first begin to lay in the spring, before they sit; in Lent and Easter they become dear. They may be preserved fresh by dipping them in boiling water, and instantly taking them out, or by oiling the shell; either of which ways is to prevent the air passing through it. They should be kept on shelves with small holes to receive one in each, and be turned every other day.

Carrots, parsnips, and beet roots, should be kept in sand for winter use, and neither they nor potatoes be cleared from the earth.

Store onions prescive best hung up in a dry

cold room.

Straw to lay apples on should be quite dry, to prevent a musty taste.

Large pears should be tied up by the stalk. Tarragon gives the flavour of French cookery, and in high gravies is a great improvement; but should be added only a short time before serving Basil, savory, and knotted marjoram, or Lon

don thyme, to be used when herbs are ordered; but with discretion, as they are very pungent. Celery seeds give the flavour of the plant to soups.

Parsley should be cut close to the stalks, and dried on tins in a very cool oven: it preserves its flavour and colour, and is very useful in winter.

Artichoke bottoms, which have been slowly dried, should be kept in paper bags; and truffles, morels, lemon peel, &c. in a dry place ticketed. In towns, poultry being usually sold ready picked, the feathers, which may occasionally come in in small quantities, are neglected: but orders should be given to put them into a tub free from damp, and as they dry to change them into paper bags, a few in each; they should hang in a dry kitchen to season; fresh ones must not be added to those in part dried, or they will occasion a musty smell, but they should go through the same process In a few months they will be fit to add to beds, or to make pillows, without the usual mode of drying them in a cool oven, which may be pursued if they are wanted before five or six months.

The best means to preserve blankets from moths is to fold and lay them under the feather beds that are in use, and they should be shaken occasionally. When soiled, they should be washed, not scoured.

Candles made in cool weather are best; and when their price, and that of soap, which rise and fall together, is likely to be higher, it will be prudent to lay in the stock of both. This infor mation the chandler can always give; they are better for keeping eight or ten months, and will not injure for two years, if properly placed in the cool; and there are few articles that better deserve care in buying, and allowing a due quantity of, according to the size of the family.

[To be continued.]

FINE ARTS.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION AT SOMERSET HOUSE.

ject must be allowed to be of a very serious nature, which involves the reputation of many of the eminent masters of the day, and the general character of the British school of painters at the present period.

IT has not hitherto been in our power to enlarge this branch of our work to the extent originally intended; but as materials for criticism and observation have at length come to our hand, we consider it our duty to enter upon the subject of the Fine Arts, and particularly upon the The flippant and unmeaning remarks in the annual display at Somerset-House, with a deter- newspapers have brought what passes under the mination to do all we can to excite the taste and name of "Criticism upon the Exhibition," into correct the judgment of our readers. The sub-great discredit; we approach, therefore, to our

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