266 BOTANICAL INTRODUCTION. 



The pericarp is the germe in a matured slate ; the name is 

 derived from the Greek term peri^ around, and karpos, fruit, 

 denoting thai it surrounds the fruit or seed. 



These seven parts constitute what are called the organs of 

 fructification, viz : — 



Calyx, the cup. Pericarp, containing seeds. 



Corolla, the blossom. Seed, rudiment of a plant. 



Stamens, organs within the corolla. Receptacle, top of the stem. 

 Pistil, tlie central organ. 



Beside these principal organs there is often found attached to 

 many flowers, a small appendage which is called the leaf-scale. 



We will now give a short account of the classes and orders 

 into which plants are divided, following the system of Linnceus, 

 m preference to that of Jussieu. The first classes depend 

 mostly upon the number of the stamens, viz: — 



1st class. Monandria, or one stamen ; this class contains the 

 arrowroot, ginger, and samphire. 



2d class. Diandria, or two stamens ; for examples, v/e would 

 name the lilac or syringa, the jasmine, sage, veronica. 



3d class. Triandria, or three stamens; the grasses belong to 

 this class, as also the crocus, iris or fleur-de-lis, and holl5\ 



4th class. Tetrandria, or four stamens, containing the hous- 

 tonia C(EruI(£, madder, and silver-tree, an exotic. 



5th class. Pentandria, or fiv^e stamens ; this class contains a 

 great number of plants, many of them very beautiful, others 

 quite poisonous ; In the first division we name the forget-me-not, 

 the trumpet honey-suckle, and the convolvulus; m the second 

 divisian, known by their lurid smell and hairy stamens, the 

 poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, and datura stramonium. 



6lh class. Hexandria, six stamens, presents us with the lily, 

 the tulip, crown imperial, and Solomon's seal. 



7th class. Heptandria, or seven stamens, contains the horse- 

 chestnut, and the winter-green or chickweed. 



