LINN.EAN CLASSES. 245 



class Heptandria is probably the smallest in the Lin- 

 naean system. 



Octandria has four orders. The first presents us with 

 Vaccinium and Cranberry ; Epilobium, or Willow 

 herb, and the Maple. Chrysosplenium, or Golden- 

 Saxifrage, occurs in the second order, and Polygo- 

 num in the third. 



Enneandria has three orders. In the first, we find 

 Laurus, a very important genus, from which Camphor 

 and Cinnamon are obtained. The Sassafras, Spice- 

 bush and several other species of Laurus occur in 

 the United States. In the second order, (trigynia) 

 we meet with Rhubarb, but of the third, (liexagynia) 

 there is no American example. 



Decandria has six orders. In the first, we meet with 

 Kalmia, Rhododendron, Pyrola and Arbutus ; in the 

 second, we find Saxifrage Dianthus or Pink, and 

 Hydrangea. Silene occurs in the third order, Mic- 

 ropetalon in the fourth ; Sedum and Lychnis in the 

 fifth, and Phytolacca or Poke in the sixth. 



Dodecandria. — By several late writers this class has 

 been abolished, and the plants which were formerly 

 arranged here have been transferred to other class- 

 es. Some however have retained it. Lythrum, Eu- 

 phorbia and Halesia are American examples. 



Icosandria has three orders. The Cherry, Plumb, and 

 Peach with rosaceous flowers, together with the Myr- 

 tle and Clove, occur in the first order. In the sec- 

 ond, (Di pentagynia) Dr. Smith, and others following 

 him include those plants which have from two to five 

 styles. It is exemplified in the Apple, Pear and 

 Ice- plant. The last order (Polyginia) includes the 

 Rose, Strawberry and several plants of the same 

 natural order. How admirably says Dr. Smith does 

 * 22 



