140 PECANDRIA. 



leaves pioper are next cut off and thrown away, and the peti- 

 oles stripped of their external fibrous coverings. The ileshy 

 part which remains, is then cut into short pieces, well sea 

 soned, and made into pies, or tarts ; and there are lew who 

 having tasted them will desire better. It is common to let 

 the plants grow in the open air, but they may be brought for- 

 ward earlier, as well as greatly improved in quantity and 

 taste, by the following method. As early as possible in the 

 spring, place a barrel, or half-barrel, over the plant, and sur- 

 round this with manure in a state of fermentation. By this 

 means, the plant will not only be hastened in its growth, by 

 the warmth of the manure, but will also be blanched, and 

 made more delicate in appearance and taste. A part of the 

 head of the barrel must be in a state to be removed, so that 

 the plant can be examined, and its leaves cut off when tit lor 

 use. It is also necessary that a small aperture should be 

 left at all times for the benefit of the air. The Rheum palma- 

 tvm, is the species which is so valuable as a medicine. It 

 is said that any of the species may be cultivated for the table. 



ORDER IV. TETRAGYNIA. Stamens 9. Styles 4. 

 This order contains an aquatic plant common in England* 

 called Flowering Rush, (Butomus umbtllatus.) which is aii 

 ornament to pools and rivers. 



CLASS X. DECANDRIA. Stamens 10. Orders 5. 



The name of this class is from the Fi s- K - 



Greek, deka, ten, and aner, a stamen, and 

 signifies ten stamens. This is the last 

 of the Linnaean classes in which the sta- 

 mens are distinct, and bear any determi- 

 nate relation to the other parts of the flow- 

 er. The stamens in this class must not 

 only be ten, but they must also be separate and distinct. 

 The papilionaceous flowers belong to class 1 7th, Diadelphia, 

 only when their styles are united. When, therefore", the 

 flower has ten stamens, all distinct, and separate, it belongs 

 to the present class, but if they are united at the base, into 

 two sets, having the butterfly-shaped corolla, it is called a 

 Diadelphous plant. 



What does the name of the class Decandria signify ? How are the 

 plants of this class distinguished from those of the class Diadelphia? 

 What is said of the extent of the 10th class ? 



