132 HEXANDRIA. 



number 01* pistils, but always more than six. The name of 

 the order signifies many pistils, in allusion to this circum- 

 stance. 



This order contains only a few genera, and none of any 

 considerable interest. The Mysorus, or Mouse-tail, is a lit- 

 tle plant which belongs here. Its seeds are situated on along 

 slender receptacle, which stands erect, and in appearance 

 very nearly resembles the tail of a mouse. 



GENUS Xanthorhiza, is compounded of two Greek words, 

 and signifies yellow root, which is the common name of an 

 inferior shrub whose place is here. This poor plant has jag- 

 ged leaves, and bears some dull and purplish flowers. Like 

 its associate, Mouse-tail, it is only mentioned here, for the 

 want of a more respectable example. 



Yellow Root is a native of our country, and grows about 

 three feet high. It has no calyx, five petals, five nectaries, 

 and five one-seeded capsules. 



CLASS VI. HEXANDRIA. Stamens 6. Orders 6. 



The name Hexandria, is composed of Fig- 



two Greek words, and signifies six stamens. 

 The flowers are not cruciform. This class 

 includes the most beautiful of the herbace- 

 ous plants which are cultivated in gardens, 

 such as the Lily, Tuberose, Crown Impe- 

 rial, Tulip, Hyacinth, &c. It also con- 

 tains some of the most important esculent 

 vegetables, and many medicinal plants. The Rice, Aspara- 

 gus, Pine-Apple, and Plantain, are necessary articles of food, 

 and the Colchicum, and Aloe, which also belong here, afford 

 medicines of considerable power. Under the different orders 

 we shall see, more particularly, what valuable and ornamen- 

 tal plants, the Class includes. 



ORDER I.--MONOGYNIA. Stamens 6. Style I. 



This order embraces the Narcissus, the Plantain-tree 

 Pine-Apple, Tillandsia, Amaryllus, Bamboo, Fan Palm, Aloe 

 Lily, Tulip, Lily-of-the- Valley, Garlic, Star of Bethlehem, 



How many styles does the order Polygynia contain ? How many sta- 

 mens constitute the class Hexandria ? What ornamental genera does this 

 class contain ? What are among the useful a,nd ornamental belonging to 

 this class ? 



