ENNEANDRIA. 143 



especially the root, and has long been a popular remedy for 

 the toothache. The plant grows about four feet high, bears 

 sessile pink flowers, and lanceolate leaves. The bark is 

 employed by the French surgeons as an escharotic, to pro- 

 duce what is equivalent to a perpetual blister. It is a native 

 of most parts of Europe, but it is believed not of North 

 America. 



ORDER II. DIGYNIA. Stamens 8. Styles 2. 

 This order contains nothing worthy of notice. 



ORDER III. TRIGYNIA. Stamens 8. Styles 3. 

 This order contains the genus Polygonum, which consists 

 chiefly of common weeds. Several of the species are fre- 

 quent in our gardens, and are known under the names of 

 Knot Grass, Scratch Grass, Water Pepper, <fyc. 



ORDER IV. TETRAGYNIA. Stamens 8. Styles 4. 

 This order is also barren of any interesting plants. 

 CLASS IX. ENNEANDRIA. Stamens 9. Orders 3. 



The name of this class comes from Fi s- i- 



ennea, nine, and aner, a stamen, and sig- 

 nifies nine stamens. This is one of the 

 smallest classes in the whole Linnaean 

 System, there being only a few plants 

 having nine stamens, and no more. It 

 however contains three valuable genera, 

 the Cinnamon tree, the Rhubarb, and 

 Cashew-nut. 



ORDER I. MONOGYNIA. Stamens 9. Style 1. 

 GENUS Laurus. Cinnamon. The name Laurus is derived 

 from the Celtic, and signifies green, in reference to the 

 perennial color of the genus. This genus contains some of 

 the most celebrated and important among the fragrant and 

 spice bearing trees, as the Camphor tree, Cinnamon tree, and 

 some others. The species are chiefly trees of large size, 

 some of them; as the Sassafras, Cassia, and others, growing to 

 the height of from 60 to 80 feet. Some, however^ are only 

 shrubs, growing no higher than five or six feet. All the 

 species, except the Sassafras of this country, are evergreen 

 plants. 



What does the name of the 9th class signify ? What is said of the ex- 

 tent of the class Enneandria, and the number of valuable plants it. con- 

 f ains ? What is said of the genus Laurus ? 



