134 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [ Ch. XX1JI. 



we might name here, as the Lily of the Valley Hyacinth, 

 Scotch hare-bell, &c. 



569. ORDER DIGYNIA, two pistils. We find here the genus 

 Oryza which contains the Rice ; this is a grass-like plant, but, 

 on account of its six stamens and two pistils, is not placed in 

 the same class with most of the grasses. This is a southern 

 production, and one of great importance; giving food to a great 

 portion of the inhabitants of hot countries. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



Class 7th Class Sth Class 9th Class Wf.h Class 11th 



Class 12th. 



CLASS VII. HEPTANDRIA, seven stamens. 

 Order 1. MONOGYNIA, one pistil. 



Fig. 78. 570. This picture shows a blossom 



of the Horse-Chestnut, a plant which 

 was introduced from Asia into Europe 

 in the year 1500. It is a small tree, 

 which produces showy panicles ol 

 white and red flowers crowded toge- 

 ther in the form of a pyramid. The 

 botanical name of this, plant is .ZEscu- 

 lus, from esca, food ; probably from a 

 mistaken idea that its nut might prove 

 valuable as such. The species of ^Es- 

 culus most common with us, is the 

 hippocastanum, which signifies horse- 

 chestnut, being derived from the Greek 

 words of that signification. 



571. There are three other orders of the seventh class, but 

 none contain plants which you will be likely to meet with, or 

 which are much celebrated. Belonging to this class and order 

 there is a very small plant, called chickweed winter green, or 

 Trientalis ; you may find it in woods about the roots of trees 

 in May and June ; the small white floAvers are stellate, and on 



5G9. What plant is mentioned in the 2d order of ihe class Hexan- 

 dria? 



570. Describe the Horse-chestnut. 



571. What is said of the Trientalis 1 



