GLOSSARY.

L. = Latin. A.-S. = Anglo-Saxon.

Acheloüs,n.A river god with whom Hercules wrestled. Like Proteus, Acheloüs could change his shape; he became a serpent and a bull, but Hercules vanquished him nevertheless and tore off his horn, which became the horn of plenty.

Alternate,a.L.alter, another; one following another. Said of leaves standing singly at the nodes of a stem; also of stamens that stand between the petals, and of petals that are placed between the sepals.

Amalthea,n.In Greek mythology, the nurse of Jupiter, probably a goat.

Amœba,n.From a Greek word meaning “change”; the name of one of the lowest forms of life; a bit of living protoplasm capable of existing as a single cell and of changing its form at will.

Ancestors,n.L.antecessor, a foregoer; forefathers; those from whom animals or plants are descended.

Animal cells,n.The cells or minute divisions which make up the animal body.

Animals,n.All living things which are not plants are animals. In the lower forms of life it is impossible to decide whether certain living things are animals or plants.

Anther,n.From a Greek word meaning “flower”; that part of the stamen containing the pollen.

Anther cells,n.The hollow spaces in the anther where the pollen is kept.

Aristocrat,n.From two Greek words meaning “best” and “rule”; one belonging to the best in a community; one among those fit to rule.

Aristocratic,a.Like an aristocrat.

Axil,n.L.axilla, little armpit; the angle formed between the upper side of a leaf and the stem or branch to which it is attached.

Azalea,n.The name of a plant. The “swamp honeysuckle” is not a honeysuckle, but is an azalea.

Barb,n.L.barba, a beard; a tuft of hairs; a sharp point projecting backward from the point of a fish hook or arrow or any other sharp-pointed instrument. The barb prevents the instrument from being readily withdrawn.

Bark,n.The outer covering of the stems and roots of woody plants.

Beak,n.The bill of a bird; the long, projecting point in the fruit of the geraniums.

Bloodroot,n.An early spring flower. A pretty, delicate, white flower opens on a stem that comes up from the ground, and the roots, when wounded, yield a blood-red sap.

Boer,n.D.boer, a farmer; a peasant; the name of the Dutch colonists of South Africa. They are principally farmers and cattle raisers. They have had many difficulties with the English settlers, in some of which blood has been shed.

Bract,n.L.bractea, a thin plate of metal; gold-leaf. Used of small, usually thin, leaf-like parts, and often found near a flower or flower cluster.

Bulb,n.L.bulbus, a bulbous root; an onion; the name of the underground, scale-covered part of hyacinths, etc.

Cactus,n.From a Greek word meaning “a prickly plant”; a group of plants which usually grow in dry places and have prickles or thorns instead of leaves. The prickly pear grows wild in northern latitudes, and others, such as the night-blooming cereus, are often seen in hothouses.

Callous,a.L.callosus, hard-skinned, thickened and hardened. Applied to a hard place on the skin, usually the result of friction.

Calyx,n.From a Greek word meaning “to cover”; the outer set of envelopes which form the perianth of a flower. If the perianth has but one set of envelopes it is called the calyx.

Capillary attraction,n.The force which causes liquids to disperse through fabrics or tissues. If one end of a towel be placed in a bowl of water, the whole towel will be wet in course of time.

Carbon,n.L.carbo, a coal; a substance very widely distributed and existing under various forms. Coal is one form of carbon, graphite another, the diamond a third. One atom of carbon combined with two of oxygen form carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide,n.A heavy gas, found as an impurity in the air. It is breathed out by animals and plants, and absorbed and used as a food by plants.

Castor oil,n.The oil obtained from the seeds of the castor-oil plant. Used as a medicine and also in dyeing cotton certain colors.

Cell,n.L.cella, a small room; a case or cup in which something is held, as anther cell, ovary cell, honeycomb cell; also the protoplasmic particles of which plants and animals are built up.

Candelabrum,n.L.candela, a candle; a candle stick; any branched candlestick. A candelabrum rests on a post, while a chandelier is suspended. Candelabra is the plural.

Chasm,n.From a Greek word meaning “a yawning hollow”; a wide, deep cleft.

Chlorophyll,n.From two Greek words meaning “light green” and “leaf,” leaf-green; the green coloring matter of vegetation.

Columbine,n.L.columba, a dove; a flowering plant which gets its name from the fancied resemblance of its petals and sepals to the heads of doves round a dish.

Complexity,n.L.com, together,plectere, to weave; formed by a combination of simple things.

Convolvulaceæ,n.The name of a family of plants to which belong the morning-glory and bindweed.

Cornucopia,n.L.cornu, horn,copia, plenty; horn of plenty.

Corolla,n.L.corolla, a little crown; a garland; the floral envelope within the calyx, very often bright colored.

Cotton-seed oil,n.An oil expressed from the seeds of the cotton plant and, when purified, used instead of olive oil.

Crete,n.An island to the south of Greece.

Crocus,n.An early spring flower.

Cross-fertilization,n.The fertilization of the ovules of one flower by the pollen of another.

Cross-fertilized,a.Fertilized by the pollen from another plant.

Dew,n.The moisture of the air when condensed on any cold surface. Dew does notfall; it is formed wherever moisture in the air comes in contact with a substance colder than the air. Hence there may be dew on the under as well as the upper side of a leaf.

Dissolve,v.L.dis, apart,solvere, loose; to separate the solid particles of a body in a liquid; to melt. Sugar dissolves in water.

Double flowers,n.All those whose petals are numerous. Sometimes the stamens are changed into petals, as in double roses, and sometimes even the pistils have become petals.

Evaporation,n.The conversion of a solid or liquid by heat into vapor. Most often used in reference to the conversion of water into vapor. The warm air of summer causes a rapid evaporation of water from the leaves of plants.

Fayal,n.One of the Azores Islands, west of Portugal.

Ferns,n.A division of flowerless plants.

Fertilize,v.L.fertilis, fruitful; to make fruitful or productive, in the flower, by introducing the pollen to the ovule, enabling them in union to become a seed.

Filament,n.L.filum, a thread; the stem of an anther, often thread-like in form, though it varies greatly; any thread-like part.

Flower,n.L.flos, a flower; the part of a plant consisting of pistil, stamens, corolla, and calyx. Sometimes the corolla is wanting; sometimes both calyx and corolla are wanting. Since pistils andstamens are the most important part of the flower, an organ containing them only is called a flower. Sometimes a flower consists of only stamens or only pistils, as in some kinds of maple.

Force pump,n.A pump in which a liquid is moved by pressure behind instead of being lifted, as is the case in the ordinary pump.

Fossil,n.Animal or vegetable forms which have been long buried in the earth and so preserved; theformsor traces of animal or vegetable structures which have been preserved in rock.

Fruit,n.The matured ovary and all it contains or is incorporated with. Sometimes the calyx forms part of the fruit, as in the apple.

Gamopetalous,a.From two Greek words meaning “marriage” and “leaf” or “petal”; having the petals united or grown together. Where a flower has the corolla in the form of a tube it is called gamopetalous. Several petals are believed to be united into one piece.

Geranium,n.From a Greek word meaning “crane’s bill”; the name of a plant, so called because of the long, projecting beak of the seed-vessel.

Gland,n.Certain cells upon or near the surface of a plant that secrete, or take from the sap, certain substances. The nectary is a gland that secretes a sweet juice.

Great pyramids of Egypt,n.Three large pyramids at Ghizeh, near Cairo, in Egypt. The largest one is the largest work of man’s hands in the world. The pyramids are very interesting structures, and are probably the tombs of the ancient rulers of Egypt.

Guard cells,n.The curved cells that guard the entrance to the stomata, or breathing pores, of leaves.

Hairs,n.Fine, thread-like outgrowths from the skin of plants or animals.

Halberd-shaped,a.Shaped like a halberd, or old-time battle-ax. The bases of certain leaves are called halberd-shaped from their form.

Hawthorne,n.A small tree with thorny stems. The fruit consists of small bright red berries called “haws.”

Heart,n.The principal organ for the circulation of the blood in man and other animals.

Hercules,n.In Greek and Roman mythology, a mighty hero, the god of strength and courage. He performed many feats of strength, chief among which are those known as the twelve labors of Hercules.

Honeycomb cells,n.The wax cells made by bees for storing the honey.

Hyacinth,n.The name of an early spring flower; also of a precious stone.

Hydrogen,n.From two Greek words meaning “water producing.” It is a very light, invisible gas, and when chemically united to oxygen, two parts of hydrogen to one of oxygen, the result is water.

Imbricated,a.L.imber, rain,imbrex, a hollow roof tile to shed rain;imbricare, to cover with roof tiles; lying over one another, or lapping, like tiles on a roof. Applied to sepals that overlap over a bud.

Included,a.L.in, in,claudere, to shut, close; confined within something. Said of the stamens when they do not project beyond the mouth of the corolla.

Inherit,v.L.in, in,heres, heir; to take by descent from an ancestor. Plants, like people, inherit their characteristics from their parents.

Iron,n.A very abundant and very important metal. In small quantities it enters into the composition of plants and animals.

Irritate,v.L.irritare, to excite; to excite to action. Rubbing irritates the skin and causes extra blood to flow to the spot and thus redden it. Rubbing may also irritate plant tissues and cause an extra flow of sap to the part irritated.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit.The name of a plant that blooms in early summer. The flowers have no corollas or calyxes, but grow clustered together on a long spike. The spike of flowers is surrounded by a large overarching bract.

Juan Fernandez,n.An island, west of Chili, in South America. It is said to be the island where Robinson Crusoe lived.

Jupiter,n.In Roman mythology, the chief of the gods. The eagle is his favorite bird, and he is often represented with a sheaf of thunderbolts in his hand.

Knead,v.To press or squeeze until thoroughly mixed.

Levant,n.The name given to a section of country east of Italy and bordering upon the Mediterranean Sea.

Lime,n.A substance found in the earth and forming the hard part of bones, and also found in the composition of plants.

Liriodendron,n.From two Greek words meaning “lily” and “tree”; a North American tree, also called the tulip tree. Its green and yellow flowers look a little like a tulip.

Lungs,n.Two spongy organs in the chest by means of which the air is used to purify the blood in breathing.

Magnesium,n.A metal, very abundant in sea water and in the earth’s crust. Also found in the composition of animals and some plants.

Mandrake,n.A plant with umbrella-like leaves and a yellow, juicy fruit as large as an egg.

Microscope,n.From two Greek words meaning “small” and “view”; an instrument which magnifies and renders visible bodies too small to be seen by the naked eye.

Moth,n.An insect resembling a butterfly. Moths have no knobs on their antennæ, or “feelers,” and butterflies have.

Mullein,n.A tall, stout weed with thick, wooly leaves.

Naiads,n.In Greek and Roman mythology, water nymphs. Beautiful young goddesses presiding over springs and streams.

Nasturtium,n.L.nasus, nose,tortus, convulsed; the name of a plant, so called because of its acrid juice that causes a stinging sensation at the back of the nose when it is tasted.

Nectar,n.The drink of the gods on Mt. Olympus. The honey of flowers.

Nectaries,n.The receptacles in which the nectar of flowers is collected; also the gland which secretes the nectar.

Neptune,n.In Roman mythology, the god of the sea.

Nettle,n.A weed armed with stinging hairs.

Nitrogen,n.A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, forming about three-fourths of the air and necessary to the formation of all living bodies, whether plant or animal.

Nitrogenous substances,n.Substances in which nitrogen is one of the constituents.

Node,n.L.nodus, a knot; the part of a stem which bears a leaf or leaves. It is often a little larger than the rest of the stem.

Octavus,n.L.octavus, eighth; given in this book as a name to a suppositional plant.

Oil,n.From a Greek word meaning “olive oil.” An inflammable, greasy liquid extracted from certain vegetables, as olives, cotton seeds, nuts, etc.

Olive oil,n.The oil expressed from the fruit of the olive tree.

Orient,n.L.oriens, rising, as the sun; the East, the part of the horizon where the sun rises; Eastern countries, particularly Turkey, Persia, Egypt, India, China, etc.

Ovary cells,n.The cells which build up the ovary.

Ovule,n.L.ovum, an egg; a little egg. Applied to the rudimentary seeds of plants, which, upon fertilization and growth, become true seeds.

Ovule cells,n.The cells of which the ovule is formed.

Oxalis,n.From a Greek word meaning “acid”; a well-known plant, one form of which is called “wood sorrel.” It is called oxalis because of its acid juice.

Oxygen,n.One of the gases that compose the air and which is essential to life. It is also found in composition in the tissues of plants and animals.

Pelargonium,n.From a Greek word meaning “a stork”; a member of the Geranium Family, so called because of the beaked seed-pods.

Petal,n.From a Greek word meaning “a leaf”; one of the leaves of a corolla.

Phosphorus,n.From a Greek word meaning “Lucifer, the morning star”; a solid substance which is luminous in the dark. It is found in composition in the bodies of animals and plants.

Pioneer,n.L.pes, a foot; in military terms, one of a company of foot soldiers who march before an army with implements to clear the way. Hence, whoever or whatever leads or prepares the way for others coming after.

Pistil,n.L.pistillum, a pestle; the seed-bearing organ of a flower, composed generally of three parts, ovary, style, and stigma, and called pistil because of its shape, which often resembles a pestle.

Plant cells,n.The cells of which plants are built up.

Pollen,n.L.pollen, fine flour; the dust or grains of fertilizing material found in the anthers of flowers.

Pollen cells,n.The grains of pollen; each grain is a separate cell.

Polypetalous,a.From two Greek words meaning “many” and “leaf.” Said of a flower having two or more separate petals.

Potash,n.A combination of potassium, carbon, and oxygen. Potash in various forms is found in all plants.

Potassium,n.A substance found in combination with other things in the earth’s crust, and in the form of potash, an important factor in the substance of plants and animals.

Potato,n.One of the edible tubers of the potato plant. The potato is a swollen underground stem, the eyes being the nodes. The potato contains a large amount of starch and is a valuable food. The potato plant is a native of the Andes. It was taken to England from Virginia in 1856.

Prickles,n.A.-S.prica, a sharp point; small, sharp-pointed growths from the bark of plants.

Primitive,a.L.primus, first; pertaining to the beginning or origin of a thing. In botany, beginning to take form, applied to an organ or structure that is just beginning to assume form.

Primus,n.L.primus, first; a name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Probing,n.L.probare, to test, examine; examining by means of a long, pointed instrument or probe. The bee or butterfly probes for nectar with its long tongue.

Protean,a.Pertaining to Proteus; readily assuming different shapes.

Proteus,n.In classical mythology, a sea god who had the power of assuming different shapes. He could become a serpent or a cloud or a bull or anything he chose to become.

Protoplasm,n.From two words meaning “first” and “form.” A substance resembling the white of an egg in appearance, composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. It is the foundation of all living forms.

Protoplasmic,a.Consisting of protoplasm.

Quartus,n.L.quartus, fourth; the name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Quintus,n.L.quintus, fifth; the name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Rain,n.A.-S.regn, rain; the water falling in drops through the atmosphere. Water rises as vapor from the moist earth and the sea; it is then condensed by coming in contact with the cold upper air, and falls to the earth as rain.

Reproduced,pp.L.re, again,producere, to produce, to bring forth; produced again, having formed new plants or animals from those already existing.

Retrogressed,pp.Went backward.

Retrogression,n.L.retro, backward,gradi, to go; the act of going backward.

Rhea,n.In classical mythology, the wife of Saturn and mother of Jupiter.

Ribs,n.The bones that form the framework of the chest in the higher animals; the timbers that form the framework of a ship; the stiff fibres that form the framework of a leaf.

Robinson Crusoe,n.A story written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1719. The adventures of Robinson are said to have been suggested by the life of Alexander Selkirk, who was shipwrecked and lived for four years on the desert island of Juan Fernandez.

Root,n.The part of a plant that usually grows down into the soil, fixing the plant and absorbing nutriment.

Root cap,n.The hard cap which covers and protects the growing tip of a root.

Root hairs,n.The fine filaments growing from the skin of young roots that absorb the nutriment for plants.

Rubythroat,n.The name of the North American humming bird, so called because of the bright red feathers on its throat.

Salamander,n.A kind of lizard, formerly supposed to be able to live in the fire.

Salt,n.One of the most important substances in the world. It is necessary to the existence of animals and is one of the constituents of many plants.

Sap,n.The juice of plants. It is to them what the blood is to animals.

Saturn,n.In classical mythology, the father of Jupiter.

Scales,n.A.-S.scealu, a scale, husk; in botany, a small, rudimentary leaf, scale-like in form. Scales cover the leaf buds and sometimes the flower buds; they also constitute some bulbs.

Scape,n.L.scapus, shaft, stalk; the long, leafless peduncle which starts from the ground and bears flowers at the top, as in the hyacinth.

Sceptre,n.L.sceptrum, a staff to lean on; a sceptre; a staff of office; the staff of kingship.

Secrete,v.L.secernere, to separate; to form from the materials of the sap or the blood a new substance. The organ that secretes is called a gland.

Secundus,n.L.secundus, second; the name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Seed,n.The fertilized and matured ovule of a flower.

Seed-coat,n.The outer covering to a seed.

Seedlet,n.A little seed.

Sepal,n.L.separ, separate; one of the separate leaves that form the calyx.

Septimus,n.L.septimus, seventh; the name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Sextus,n.L.sextus, sixth; a name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Shrub,n.A woody, branching plant, smaller than a tree.

Silica,n.L.silex, flint; a substance found very abundantly in the earth’s crust. It is very hard, and when melted forms glass; it is found in solution in some springs and is taken up by certain plants and deposited on or near the surface.

Skin,n.The outside covering of an animal or plant.

Skin cells,n.The cells of which the skin is made up.

Snowdrop,n.An early spring flower cultivated in gardens; it sometimes blossoms under the snow.

Soda,n.A compound of sodium, carbon, and oxygen; found in the composition of some plants.

Sodium,n.One of the elements of common salt, and also found in the tissues of plants and animals.

Sorrel,n.A.-S.sūr, sour; a kind of plant with acid leaves.

Sphinx,n.In Greek mythology, a monster with the head of a woman, the wings of an eagle, and the claws of a lion; she sat on a rock and proposed a riddle to all who passed and killed those who could not guess it. The Egyptian sphinx has no wings and is not the same as the Greek monster; it is generally placed in rows in avenues leading to temples, and the largest and most famous Egyptian sphinx is the Great Sphinx near the great pyramids of Ghizeh; it held a temple between its paws.

Spring beauties,n.Pretty, delicate, and early spring flowers.

Spur,n.A pointed instrument worn on the heel to goad a horse; any sharp projection formed like a horseman’s spur.

Stamen,n.L.stamen, thread, string, fibre; the floral organ containing the fertilizing pollen. The stamen, like the pistil, is believed to be a modified leaf.

Starch,n.A substance composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, forming one of the principal elements in plants and necessary as food to animals.

Stiffening cells,n.The woody cells and other tough-walled cells that serve to keep the shape of a plant.

Stigma,n.The structure at the top of the style where the pollen is received.

Stipules,n.L.stipula, a stalk, stem, blade; the small, leaf-like appendages at the base of the petiole of leaves.

Stoma,n.From a Greek word meaning “mouth-opening”; a small opening in the skin of leaves and young stems leading to the air cavities within the plant; a breathing pore.

Stomata,n.The plural of “stoma.”

Strengthening cells,n.The cells with tough or hard walls that serve to give firmness and support to plant tissues.

Suction,n.L.sugere, to suck; the process of sucking.

Sulphur,n.A solid substance found in the earth’s crust in certain places; it is one of the constituents of protoplasm, and although occurring in it in very small quantities, it is essential.

Sulphuric acid,n.Oil of vitriol, a combination of hydrogen, sulphur, and oxygen. Sulphuric acid is found in the earth and in the air in very small quantities, and is the source from which plants as a rule derive their sulphur.

Tertius,n.L.tertius, third; the name given in this book to a suppositional plant.

Thoreau,n.Henry David Thoreau, an American author of the present century, wrote a number of delightful books on nature.

Tissue,n.L.texere, to weave; a woven fabric; the cellular fabric of plant structures.

Tropæolum,n.From a Greek word meaning “a turning,” hence, a turning of the enemy, a defeat; finally, the sign of a defeat, a trophy; the name of a plant, so called because of the shield-shaped leaves, many shields together suggesting trophies taken from the enemy.

Tube cells,n.The cells that build up the tubes of plants.

Tuber,n.L.tuber, a bump, swelling; a thickened portion of an underground stem. The potato is a tuber; it stores up starch for the use of the growing plant.

Tubular corolla,n.A tube-shaped corolla. The red honeysuckle has a tubular corolla.

Tunic,n.L.tunica, a tunic; the name of a garment worn by the Romans; a loose flowing robe; hence, any garment; a name given to the scaly coverings of bulbs like the onion and hyacinth.

Tunicated,a.Having a tunic.

Underground stems,n.Stems that grow beneath the surface of the earth and look more or less like roots. They can always be distinguished from roots by the presence of nodes.

Variegated,a.L.varius, various,agere, to make; marked with different colors.

Veins,n.L.vena, a blood vessel; the blood vessels or channels through which the blood flows to the heart; the stiff, thread-like tubes forming the framework of leaves, petals, sepals, etc.

Vine,n.L.vinea, a grape vine; a plant with a stem too long and flexible to stand alone.

Water,n.A well-known liquid composed of two parts of hydrogen to one of oxygen.

Wax,n.A.-S.weax, wax; a thick, sticky substance made by bees for constructing their cells; substances resembling beeswax in consistency.

Whorl,n.A ring of organs from the same center.

Wood cells,n.The cells of which wood is built up.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTESSilently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling.Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

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