108 



species yield a starch, which, in some parts of the East In 

 dius is much used as food. 



GENUS Salicornia. Saltwort. The name comes from sal, 

 salt, and cornu, a horn. It is a plant without leaves, which 

 grows abundantly on the sea coasts of some countries. The/e 

 are several species, most of which are gathered and burned 

 for the purpose of obtaining soda. One species is pickled 

 for culinary purposes, like samphire, and hence this plant has 

 been called marsh samphire. But the true samphire, Crith- 

 mum, is an umbelliferous plant of Europe, where it grows in 

 inaccessible places among the rocks. Those who gather it 

 are sometimes obliged to be let down in baskets, and it is in 

 allusion to this circumstance, that Shakspeare says, 



" Half way down 

 Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade !" 



The Salicornia herbacea is found in various sea-coast pla- 

 ces in this country. 



ORDER II. DIGYNIA. Stamen 1. Styles 2. 



This order contains no plants of any note or value. The 

 little aquatic plant called water start-wort, ( Callitriche,) is 

 found in many places about our brooks, and belongs to this 

 class and order. This is also the place of the Elite, (Bli- 

 tum,) the heads of which stain the fingers, and were formerly 

 used by English cooks to give their puddings a yellow tinge. 



CLASS II. DIANDRIA. Stamens 2. Orders 3. 



This class is not extensive, though it con- 

 tains several genera of much importance, and 

 some elegant and fragrant plants. The most 

 useful of the class are the Pepper and the Olive. 

 Sage and Rosemary also belong here, articles 

 well known in cookery. The Syringa and 

 Privet, are likewise esteemed as elegant flow- 

 ering plants. 



ORDER I. MONOGYNIA. Stamens 2. Style 1. 



GENUS Olea, the Olive. The name is said to come from 

 the Celtic word olew, oil. The full grown Olive tree is 

 about thirty feet in height, and is branchy, smooth, and ever- 



In what situation does the salicornia grow ? How many stamens has 

 the class Diandria ? How many orders has this class ? What important 

 plarts belong to the second class ? 



