126 PENTANDRIA. 



It is probable that Ethiopia is the native country of the tree, 

 and whence it was carried into Persia at a period unknown. 

 It was introduced into Arabia from Persia about the middle 

 of the 15th century, and from Arabia it was carried to Con- 

 stantinople, where in 1554 there were two coffee houses. 

 About the end of the 17th century the first coffee house was 

 opened in Paris, but not succeeding, the keeper went to Lon- 

 don, where, about this time, two coflee houses, or sheds, were 

 opened. From this period, the use of coffee gradually be- 

 came general all over Europe, as it had been many years be- 

 fore in the Levant, and other parts of the East. 



The Coffee Tree grows from five to eighteen feet high, 

 and bears in three or four years. The berry is chiefly raised 

 for market in the East and West Indies. The tree may be 

 grown from the seed, if this is planted soon after it is ripe, but 

 is said in six weeks to lose its vital powers. The berries are 

 two-seeded ; the seeds are convex on one side and flat on the 

 other. 



Fig. 153. 



The figure, 158, shows the 

 form of the leaf, the situation 

 of the flowers, and separately, 

 the form of the berry. 



ORDER II. DIGYNIA. Stamens 5. Styles 2. 



This order is not nearly so numerous or important as the 

 first, but it contains many genera of considerable consequence, 

 either as food, medicine, or ornaments. The Asclepias, the 

 singular genus Stapelia, Gentian, Beet, Elm, Coriander, 

 Chervil, Carrot, Cicuta, &c. belong to this order. 



GENUS Asclepias. Milkweed. It is named after an ancient 

 physician, or physicians. This is a genus of plants which 

 grow from two to four or five feet high, and several of them 

 bear highly colored, showy flowers. In England they are 

 known under the name of Swallow-wort. In this country they 

 bear the name of Silk-weed, Milk-weed, and Pleurisy-root. 



What are the names of some of the most important plants of the 2d 

 order ? What is the botanical name of milkweed ? 



